Editorial: Even thieves know some things sacred

Maureen Paviour had the medals stole from her house returned.

Maureen Paviour returned home last week to find her place plundered and her car and TV stolen.

It's one traumatic homecoming.

But what really pained the 73-year-old was the heirloom heist; 10 family war medals, some bestowed for services rendered more than 100 years ago, were also pocketed.

Check out the story of the medal's return here.

Among the silverware was her grandfather's rare 113-years old Boer War service medal. Four of the other medals belonged to her father, Wilfred Paul Bull, a highly decorated Royal New Zealand Air Force veteran who spent one year and 215 days fighting his way through the Pacific.

Check out Maureen's story here.

Ironically, while the burglary was taking place the Tamatea resident was holidaying with friends she met on the beaches of Gallipoli.

Born in 1942, she is, in her words, a genuine "war baby".

Thieves who steal from charity or pilfer sentimental items are always in for a heightened public towelling. But it's fair to say those with a disposition to raid people's homes wouldn't stop to think they've stooped lower than usual.

Ordinarily I'd have said they lack the integrity and sensibility to discern, that theirs is a standard-less industry, that for them, the only sin is getting caught.

These assumptions were collapsed yesterday afternoon - before which time anyone would have said the chances of Mrs Paviour reuniting with her medals were negligible.

About 2pm I was given the heartening news that someone had since thrown the medals on her front lawn.

On the eve of Anzac commemorations and the Gallipoli centenary, these particular crooks proved me wrong. While the return of the TV and car wouldn't be a bad sweetener, it seems there is, occasionally, a skerrick of honour among thieves.