The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Falklands War hero reunited with his medals stolen 34 years ago
Former guardsman was mentioned in despatches for gallantry
A Scottish hero of the Falklands War has been reunited with his medals 34 years after they were stolen from an army barracks room.
Former Scots Guardsman Ian Davidson, from Glenrothes, was mentioned in despatches for his gallantry during the Battle of Mount Tumbledown in 1982.
But the South Atlantic Medal with the oak leaf emblem denoting his mention, together with his general service medal with clasp for Northern Ireland, were stolen the following year.
The return of both medals was negotiated by specialist auctioneers Dix Noonan Webb after they were brought in for sale by a collector who had purchased them in good faith.
Despite the fact the medals were expected to fetch up to £2,600 at auction, the collector agreed to accept the financial loss and that they should be returned to the former lance sergeant.
Mr Davidson, 61, said: “My heart skipped a few beats when I heard that the medals were to be returned to me.
“It is very difficult to put into words what this means to me, as I have always felt undressed wearing replacement medals at functions I attend.
“I can now wear the originals on my very proud chest.
“Words are not enough to explain how happy and grateful I am at what Dix Noonan Webb and the collector have done to ensure their safe return after some 30-odd years.
“I owe a huge debt of gratitude.”
It is very difficult to put into words what this means to me. IAN DAVIDSON