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Post by Les on Dec 2, 2007 11:07:43 GMT
Nine Victoria Crosses were among a dozen medals stolen from the Waiouru Army Museum early this morning, in what the Defence Force says is an insult to the nation's heritage and history. Defence Force personnel and police are appalled at what appears to have been a well-executed robbery that targeted the gallantry medals in a building protected by an alarm, security cameras and regular patrols. For more info clicky --> www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10479634 |
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Post by roberthenry on Dec 3, 2007 16:14:41 GMT
Looks like someone has stolen them for a private collection because they will certainly never be able to sell tthem, especially not Charles Uphams.
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Post by Les on Dec 4, 2007 7:37:35 GMT
Trying to sell a stolen VC will be like trying to sell a stolen work of art - people in the "know" will recognise it straight away..... unless the thief intends to hold on to them for years and wait for the dust to settle!
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Post by roberthenry on Dec 7, 2007 9:28:44 GMT
I see Lord Ashcroft has put up a reward of 200,000 New Zealand dollars for information leading to their recovery
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Post by Les on Dec 8, 2007 11:31:49 GMT
Yep - the over all rewared is currently standing at about NZ$330,000.
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ben
Corporal
The Soldier Who Would Not Give Up.
Posts: 15
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Post by ben on Feb 16, 2008 6:41:49 GMT
Posted at 6:17pm on 16 Feb 2008
War medals stolen from the Waiouru Army Museum have been recovered, including Charles Upham's Victoria Cross and Bar, police revealed on Saturday.
All 12 sets, a total of 96 medals, were found at an unspecified location in New Zealand on Friday.
A $300,000 reward had been offered for information about the smash and grab of the medals on 2 December last year.
Nine Victoria Crosses, including Charles Upham's VC and bar, the only one ever awarded to a combat soldier, were taken. Captain Upham, New Zealand's most decorated soldier, was awarded the VC and Bar for valour in Crete and North Africa during World War II. He died in 1994.
The recovered medals have not been damaged and are being tested by ESR for forensic purposes.
Police said a reward to what they describe as an independent third party would be made on Monday, but would not disclose the sum.
They said the next step was to track down the thieves, and the recovery of the medals would narrow down the focus of the investigation.
Police said on Saturday no arrests have been made, but the net is closing around those responsible.
Defence Minister Phil Goff said he was delighted and relieved at the recovery of the medals, which he called national treasures.
Mr Goff says the theft of the medals was a wake-up call for the Defence Force and security would be tightened.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand
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Post by Les on Feb 16, 2008 13:23:26 GMT
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Post by Les on Feb 18, 2008 9:39:53 GMT
17 Feb 2008
Auckland lawyer Chris Comeskey has described his role in brokering the return of war medals stolen from the Waiouru Army Museum, including Charles Upham's Victoria Cross and Bar.
All 12 sets, a total of 96 medals, were recovered in New Zealand on Friday.
Mr Comeskey says he made his own enquiries and was put in touch with people who knew of the medals' whereabouts.
He was able to return a George Cross set to the police in January, after which more negotiations followed with the police and his contacts, for the return of the medals.
"An arrangement was made on Friday for us to pick them up in Auckland. It didn't go smoothly, it was a bit drawn out during the day, but eventually it was achieved.
"At about 1.30pm we managed to secure the medals. They were brought into my office, laid out on the table, and then I telephoned the police"
Chris Comeskey says the police knew of his investigations, but he was not working in conjunction with them.
Net closing
Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Benseman says the return of the medals helps narrow the focus of the police investigation towards finding the people responsible for the theft.
He says the net is closing around those responsible. "The investigation team are still working on apprehending those responsible ... we have some people that are in our sights".
Mr Benseman says nine officers are working on the inquiry.
A $300,000 reward was offered by Nelson businessman and former US marine Tom Sturgess, and British peer Lord Ashcroft. Police would not say how much of the reward would be paid on Monday.
Nine Victoria Crosses including Captain Upham's VC and Bar, the only one ever awarded to a combat soldier and the highest award for bravery among Commonwealth nations, were taken in the smash and grab on 2 December
Families delighted
Captain Upham, New Zealand's most decorated soldier, was awarded the medals for valour in Crete and North Africa during World War II. He died in 1994.
His daughter, Amanda Upham, told Radio New Zealand she has fond memories of her father wearing the medals on Anzac Day celebrations, and thanked police for finding the treasures.
However, she says security surrounding the medals should be looked into.
Another of the recovered Victoria Crosses had been awarded to Keith Elliott for gallantry in the battle of Ruweisat, in Egypt during the World War II.
His son Doug Elliot says the family is delighted, and thanked the police for their excellent work. "I think it's just a marvellous day for the country because these medals can now be returned to Waiouru and our children's children can go and see them."
Armoured glass protection
Defence Minister Phil Goff says he is delighted and relieved at the recovery of the medals, which he calls national treasures.
Mr Goff says the theft was a wake-up call for the Defence Force, and security at the museum will be tightened.
"Once people broke through the outer cordon of the security at Waiouru they were able quite quickly to get access to the medals.
"These medals need to be behind some form of armoured glass protection and in a way where it will take a massive effort for them to be stolen."
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand
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