Stolen medals replaced for Jim
A96-YEAR-OLD Second World War veteran who had his four war medals stolen was surprised with replacements during a Rochdale AFC match.
Jim Marland, who lives near Rochdale, was out walking when he was attacked by two men, who snatched the medals from his jacket last month.
His assailant made off with the 1939/45 War Star for active service during World War Two, the France/ Germany Star, the Defence Medal earned for service in the UK which was under attack, and the 1939/45 War Medal, also known as the Victory Medal.
A social media post about the attack attracted 4.6k views on Facebook, including Major Phil Linehan, a Reservist with 103 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) who also owns a medal mounting company.
Phil said: “I immediately said I would replace them from my stock.”
He travelled from Kent to present Jim with the replacement original medals on the pitch at half-time of Rochdale’s League Two match with Stevenage this week.
“Jim told me: ‘I can’t wear my medals tonight like you.’ He was embarrassed he’d lost them. He didn’t know I knew the story,” said Phil.
“I was very keen to understand Jim’s journey and why someone from Rochdale was in the Durham Light Infantry.
“In World War Two, that unit served in North Africa, Sicily, and part of 50 Division and General Montgomery brought them back to the UK because he wanted experienced soldiers in Normandy.
“Jim didn’t join until late 1943 and so he wasn’t ready for Normandy. By the time he joined his regiment, he joined in Germany and fought in
Ibbenburen and finished World War Two in Hamburg.”
As well as the medals, 103 REME provided a replacement beret with an original WW2 cap badge worn by a relative of ex-corporal Buckley (Royal Engineers) and an original World War One cap badge worn by a great uncle of Flight Lieutenant Martin, who served with Phil.
Jim was wounded in action while in Germany, suffering a shrapnel wound to the chest, leading to a sixweek stay in a field hospital.
He joined the Army aged 18, serving in the UK, Germany, India, Singapore and France.
Jim said: “It was a surprise and I want to thank everyone that’s been so nice to me. If I’d known I was coming to this, I’d have another row of medals on.”
Adam Trennery, a former Royal Navy Engineer, who is a member of AFC Rochdale Veterans Association, approached the club and asked them to host the event to reunite Jim with the decorations and the directors were delighted to oblige.
Rochdale AFC Chairman Simon Gauge said: “Everyone at Rochdale
Football Club was extremely shocked and saddened to learn that Jim Marland had been the victim of this despicable crime.
“It was a pleasure to host Jim and his family, as well as military personnel at Tuesday night’s game against Stevenage, and it was a real honour to see him presented with the medals on the pitch at half-time.
“We’re pleased to have helped play a small part in putting a smile back on Jim’s face.”