Glenbrook widow Sue Summers was overwhelmed on Friday at the return of her husband’s war medals stolen from her home in October last year. She and her family had given up hope of ever seeing the medals again.
Three war medals belonging to her late husband William Summers, and other electrical items were taken during the robbery on October 18, but then miraculously on January 3 an anonymous parcel was left at Penrith Police Station, containing the medals.
Police had phoned Mrs Summers in early January to let her know the good news.
“I couldn’t believe it, I just burst out crying and gave the phone to my daughter,” Mrs Summers said.
“Now we know there is good in the communities.”
Her daughter Ann Smith said they were speechless at the time.
“We are over the moon. I can’t even put into words how we feel,” Mrs Smith said.
“We are very grateful that they have been returned. Obviously they are something that could never have been replaced.
“The person that did return these, for whatever reason, in their heart they saw the need to return them and we are so very grateful,” Mrs Smith said.
“It restores our faith in humanity a little bit which is so reassuring.”
Mr Summers died 13 years ago at age 80.
“There was a hole in our life and because we don’t have dad anymore it [the medals] filled that void, but now they’re back so this family is very happy and quite relieved,” Mrs Smith said.
Penrith police Chief Inspector Tracy Stone said the medals were returned in a state of disrepair, and the police, with the help of local businesses had restored the medals and framed them in a wooden box.
“I like this way the police can assist the community … it’s why I do my job,” Chief Inspector Stone said.
Police have renewed their appeal for information to identify those responsible, as forensic examination of the medals has not provided any clues on who the culprit might be. Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 if you can assist police with their inquiries.
