World War I medals stolen from the mailbox of a veteran’s grandson have been anonymously returned to a war memorial museum in Wellsford, police say.
The medals belonging to decorated soldier Elmer James Conlon were discovered in the returns bin at Wellsford War Memorial Museum yesterday.
On Wednesday, grandson Pat Conlon made a report to police after the valuable parcel, containing the medals, was allegedly stolen from his mailbox.
Pat told Breakfast earlier this week the theft was “gut-wrenching”. Police then appealed to the public for information that could help locate the medals, or for any locals to report if they’d seen any suspicious activity in the area on the date of the theft.
Yesterday, police were contacted by Wellsford War Memorial Museum staff “advising that the medals had been located in their returns bin”.
Senior Sergeant Damian Lawn said it appeared someone had dropped them off overnight at the museum.
“We’re pleased that whoever took these medals did the right thing and returned them – obviously they are hugely significant to Mr Conlon and we are glad to be able to reunite him with them,” he said in a media release.
Police have fingerprinted the medals and are continuing inquiries into the theft.
Earlier, police had established the parcel had been delivered on July 1, but had then gone missing before the war veteran’s grandson could collect it.
‘Gut-wrenching’ loss for veteran’s grandson
Speaking to Breakfast earlier this week, before the medals were found, Pat said it was “gut-wrenching” to have his grandfather’s war medals stolen moments before he was due to be reunited with them after more than 40 years.
Pat Conlon said his grandfather’s medals were stolen moments before he was due to pick them up after more than 40 years. (Source: Breakfast)
The medals had been lost to the family for decades but, after a long search, they were finally tracked down and sent by courier to Pat.
Just metres from their destination, the priceless family heirloom was stolen from a rural mailbox near Wellsford — before Pat could reach them.
“They were the only thing I had from my grandfather,” Pat said. “To think they were finally coming back built my hopes up — I was overjoyed about the whole thing.”
Elmer James Conlon, originally from Brooklyn, New York, served in the American Navy aboard the battleship Louisiana. He “jumped ship” in Auckland, New Zealand, and eventually settled in the small Northland town of Herekino.
To gain New Zealand citizenship, Elmer fought in the First World War, including at the Battle of the Somme, where he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his service. He is buried in the Soldiers’ Section at Hamilton Gardens.
Additional reporting by Marlo Donoghue
