A Melbourne family has been left devastated after their grandfather’s war medals were stolen from a property in Toorak, Melbourne, this week.
The thieves allegedly stole a safe containing numerous letters and documents written by Sir Edward “Weary” Dunlop.
The war hero’s granddaughter, Diana Dunlop, said she has been left “sick to her stomach”.
“We’re in shock,” he said
Medals belonging to Sir Edward “Weary” Dunlop have been stolen from a home in Toorak. (Victoria Police)
His property on Williams Road in Toorak, in Melbourne’s south-east, was broken into between 7.30pm on Sunday and 11pm on Monday.
“The whole house was ransacked, but I’m just focused on trying to get the medals and love letters back,” Dunlop said.
Police said the safe also contained medals and honors presented to Dunlop, along with jewelry and electronics valued at more than $30,000.
War hero Diana Dunlop’s granddaughter said she has been left “sick to her stomach”. (new)
Detectives have released images of the medals and correspondence in the hope the items will be handed over to police.
Dunlop, who died aged 85 in 1993, was a surgeon and World War II veteran known for his leadership as a prisoner of war in the infamous Japanese labor camps.
The Wangaratta-born man led a group of Australian prisoners of war who were forced to build Imperial Japan’s Changi Railway, working in appalling conditions.
However, after the war, Dunlop forgave his captors and worked hard to promote relations between Australia and Asia.
Dunlop’s historic letters and correspondence were also stolen. (Victoria Police) A 1956 portrait of Sir Edward “Weary” Dunlop, painted by Murray Griffin. (Australian War Memorial)
Among his other distinctions, including numerous overseas honours, Dunlop also played for the Wallabies before the Second World War and remains the only Victorian inducted into the Australian Rugby Union Hall of Fame.
Dunlop said she was desperate to get them back.
“They are incredibly important, please drop them off anonymously at a police station,” he said.