A Dundee hero’s bravery medal, due to be sold at auction in London next month, was stolen more than 30 years ago, according to a local family.
Private Walter Smith of the Scots Guards won the Military Medal in 1918 in the final throes of the First World War.
After serving his country, he returned to Dundee and carried on in the glazing business but proudly kept his hard-won medals in the home he shared with his family on Muirfield Road.
However, in the late 1970s a housebreaker struck, stealing the treasured medal along with a number of other items.
The crime was reported to police but that, sadly, was the last the family heard of the medals until last week when details of the sale emerged.
London auctioneers A.H. Baldwin have Walter’s MM and it is set to be sold to the highest bidder on November 6.
“We would never have sold them,” explained Walter’s granddaughter Ann McKenzie, 57, who lives in Carnoustie. “We’re not a big family and those medals would never have gone anywhere.”
As well as the MM for bravery, Walter would have earned a War Medal and Victory Medal.
“Sadly, they have probably all been split up,” said Ann, who added her brother, also Walter, does have other elements of her grandfather’s Great War memorabilia which prove family links to the medal, such as his Army-issue King James Bible.
”We already have a London solicitor on the case,” added Ann. “We would most definitely want the medal back even if, worst-case scenario, we have to buy it.”
However, the auctioneers were dismayed to hear the story. A spokesman said: “We were interested to hear of this family’s concerns and would encourage them to get in touch with us to see what assistance can be offered.”