A COUPLE who had been with friends celebrating a birthday returned home to find their house had been burgled.
Among the items stolen during the break-in last Wednesday (November 23) at Birchwood Road, Woolaston, was a First World War medal for bravery and a watch which had been given as a wedding gift.
The Military Cross was awarded to Second Lieutenant Oretie Stanley Nichols of the Royal Field Artillery for his gallantry in extinguishing, under heavy shelling, a fire in a gun pit, saving many lives.
His granddaughter, Ronni Scott is hoping that the medal, along with other items of great sentimental value, will be returned.
She said she and her husband, Ron, had been at a friend's home nearby celebrating a birthday but when they returned at around 8pm they discovered a window at the back had been smashed and the four-bedroom, detached house burgled.
Police are appealing for witnesses - particularly anyone who saw three 'suspicious' men in the area between about 6pm and 8pm last Wednesday.
Mrs Scott said: "They went through every room except one and it seems they grabbed whatever they could.
"They took my grandfather's medal and an Omega Seamaster watch my husband was given as a wedding present.
"It would be nice to get them back.
"The police have been wonderful."
It is not known exactly where and when Second Lieutenant Nichols carried out his act of heroism but it was in France and probably towards the end of the war.
The official announcement of the award was made in the London Gazette on January 11, 1919 and it was presented by King George V at Buckingham Palace.
Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to contact Gloucestershire Police on 101 quoting incident 451 of November 23.
NB - Source includes a photo of Second Lieutenant Oretie Nichols.
Source: Forest of Dean and Wye Valley Review 30 November, 2016