NZ soldier's Gallipoli war medals stolen

The missing war medals. Photo / supplied

A New Zealand soldier's Gallipoli war medals have been stolen from a package sent to Dunedin from Australia.

Police in Victoria today said they were investigating the theft of the medals, which were sent via registered post from a post office on Autumn Place in Doveton, Melbourne, about 11am on February 4.

DO YOU KNOW MORE? CONTACT THE HERALD HERE

The package contained six medals, six miniature medals, a Gallipoli lapel, an RSA badge, a ribbon bar, service records and medal photographs.

However, when the package arrived at the recipient's Dunedin address on February 12, it was discovered the padded post bag had been tampered with.

The missing war medals. Photo / supplied

All of the items, except for the service records and photographs, were missing.

Police said the bag was re-sealed with tape, and it was not known when the medals were removed.

Investigators were told the medals originally belonged to a man who served in Gallipoli with the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade.

He also served in the New Zealand Air Force during World War II and was a founding member of the Wellington Gallipoli Veterans' Association, as well as being a member of the New Zealand War Amputees' Association.

An Australian auction listing for the medals, which were put up for sale in 2011, said the medals belonged to Herbert George Garratt.

The listing on the Nobles site said Mr Garratt was wounded in action at Dardanelles in August 1915.

He was sent back to England due to leg wound complications which required specialist treatment.

However, his wound did not heal and his left foot was amputated in May 1917. The rest of his lower leg was amputated above the knee two months later.

He was discharged as medically unfit for service in March 1919.

Mr Garratt later served in the Air Force during World War II as Aircraftsman 1st Class between 1941 and 1945.

The auction listing said the medals had an estimated value of A$650 ($662).

Victoria police said anyone with information was urged to submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

The missing war medals. Photo / supplied

The stolen medals:

- World War I Trio named to 13/350 TPR. H.G. GARRATT. N.Z.E.F

- 39-45 British War Medal, unnamed

- World War II New Zealand Service Medal, unnamed

- A New Zealand 12-year Territorial Service Medal named to H.G. GARRATT LATE. N.Z.E.F

- Gallipoli Lapel Badge numbered 13/350

- 1979 Wellington RSA Badge

- Six unnamed miniature medals