Thieves steal entire medal collection of British Gurkha Family

London : Thieves have stolen the entire medal collection of a Gurkha family who have served the British Army for 127 years. Om Gurung, his dad Bil bahadur, his grandfather Shirprasad and his great-grandfather Suklal - who received the George Medal posthumously - have been fighting and dying for the British since 1886. Om, 55, received an MBE from the Queen in 1997 for his services as the last Gurkha regimental sergeant major during the handover of Hong Kong. Through five generations the Gurungs had amassed an impressive 50 medals for their services in conflicts ranging from the two World Wars to conflicts in Burma and Malaysia. But now Om, a former Regimental Sergeant Major with the Gurkha Signals, has been left devastated after thieves raided a cabinet displaying the medals in his Crossed Khukris restaurant in Nuneaton, Warks.

It is believed they struck over Sunday evening and Om said the sentimental value of the medals was irreplaceable. He said: "They had been put away in a locker, which was forced open by the burglars. "It's very upsetting, because the medals have such sentimental value and cannot be replaced. "My family have served the British for 127 years and to think these medals have been stolen is terrible. I am not bothered about the money, it is the history and value of these medals that matters." "There were about 50 medals in all, dating back to the First World War. I occasionally had them on show in frames on the wall of my restaurant and it is possible that someone broke in specifically to get them. "Whoever is responsible forced their way through a rear door and made a thorough search. "As well as the medals, they also emptied four charity boxes, containing about £250, the till, which had £50 in it, and even took money from a staff tip box." Om, who settled in Nuneaton after serving at the town's Bramcote Barracks and retiring from the army, has become a pillar of the community.

 He founded the British Gurkha Veterans Association, was president of Nuneaton Rotary Club and has been a constant supporter of ex-service, civic and local charities. The theft took place some time between 11.30pm last Sunday night, when the restaurant closed, and noon the following day, when the break-in was discovered. On Tuesday, Om helped to organise a special ceremony at the Co-op Club in Nuneaton when medals were handed to 126 former Gurkha soldiers who had served in Malaysia. The guest of honour was the Malaysian High Commissioner, and the occasion was also attended by Nuneaton and Bedworth deputy mayor Bob Copland. The councillor said: "I was very shocked to hear about Om's burglary, which he purposely kept to himself on Tuesday so that it wouldn't overshadow the presentation proceedings. "That is typical of the man, who is such a lovely person and a real star. "I cannot find the words to describe what I feel about the sort of people who would steal a soldier's medals and money donated for charity."

( The Telegraph)