A GRANDFATHER suffering heart problems feels uncomfortable sleeping in his own bed after thieves stole precious war medals.
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Stephen Howse had the honours, given to his grandfather and father, who served in World War I and World War II respectively, stolen from his Eskdale farm home.
“I’m stuffed,” the 65 year-old said when asked how he felt about the theft.
“I’m walking around the shed and bursting into tears.
“There was a lot of military memorabilia there as well the medals, there were pay packets for grandad in France and a birth certificate and the same for my father – their enlistment papers.
“My grandchildren have now got nothing to inherit, nothing.
“They will probably flog the medals off to someone and probably throw the papers out of their car and giggle about it.
“Well they won’t giggle if I get hold of them.”
The medals and jewellery dating to the 1800s was among an estimated $8000 worth of items stolen when Mr Howse and his wife Leonie were visiting Wodonga for a medical appointment last Wednesday.
A pane next to the front door was smashed before the thieves forced open the nearby bedroom window.
The treasures were taken from under the couple’s bed with a welder, guitars and a violin also swiped.
A car was heard roaring from the Bowler Lane house about 12.30pm, with the Howses arriving at 5.30pm.
Mr Howse planned to frame the medals of his grandad William Arthur Howse, who served on the Western Front in World War I, and father Norman John Howse, a corporal in World War II.
Both men lived in Albury.
The theft has stressed Mr Howse, who had a pacemaker installed in the past year and travels monthly to Melbourne for check-ups.
“I don’t feel comfortable sleeping in the house now,” the retired panel beater and truck driver said.
Mrs Howse added they were fearful about leaving home and their pet kelpie Harley had been so spooked he will not work the cattle.
“It’s not the value but it’s what it means to us and the inconvenience they’ve caused us,” she said.
Mr Howse urged the thieves to give up the medals.
“If they’ve still got a heart or something like that please return them or leave them at the post office with a note on them or a church, whatever,” he said.
“We would like them back because they’ve ruined the lives of three grandchildren and my two boys are devastated.
“We have nothing to hand down now basically.”
