D-Day veteran ‘overwhelmed’ by offers to replace his stolen medals
A BLIND D-Day veteran has spoken of his “overwhelming” gratitude after receiving a set of replacement medals after his own went missing at a motorway service station.
Alfred Barlow, 96, from Stockport, was returning from a pilgrimage to Normandy last month when the medals were lost. His wife Masie and grandson noticed they were missing after he visited the men’s toilets at Norton Canes services near Walsall on the M6 Toll on June 8.
Crimestoppers has offered £5,000 and actor Hugh Grant an additional £1,000 to reunite Mr Barlow with the 1939-1945 Star, the France & Germany Star, the 1939-1945 War Medal and the Palestine Medal.
But yesterday, he was presented with replacements by Alan Walker, 58, a fellow blind veteran from Hassocks in West Sussex, who was so moved by reading his story that he went out and bought four more medals from a specialist dealer.
Speaking at an event organised by Blind Veterans UK at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, Mr Barlow said: “Today has been overwhelming and I never expected all this fuss.”
Mr Barlow, who served with 3rd (Royal Northumberland Fusiliers) Reconnaissance Regiment, and landed on Sword Beach on June 6, 1944, said he was “bitterly disappointed” when the medals went missing.
The veteran, who has received support from Blind Veterans UK after losing his sight through macular degeneration, said: “I have had offers of medals from other people’s fathers.
“One in particular came from Stockport and he offered me his father’s medals. That’s fantastic. But I wouldn’t want a son of mine giving my medals away just like that.”
Today has been overwhelming. I never expected all this fuss. Blind D-Day veteran Alfred Barlow, who lost his medals to a thief.