A Lanarkshire firm has offered a three-figure reward to help a Gulf War veteran get his stolen war medals back.
We told you last week how former armed forces veteran Robert Brown, who had given 22 years' service, had his medals stolen from his East Kilbride flat.
Now Motherwell-based Cameron Dalziel Skip Hire say they wanted to help in any way they could, having been so moved by his plea.
Police are investigating the theft of the seven full-campaign medals from Robert's East Kilbride home on January 15.
He had returned from a walk with friends to discover his flat door was ajar and on closer investigation realised the campaign medals were gone, with only the miniature still sitting on his TV unit.
The full-size medals - thought to be worth thousands of pounds - include service for the first Gulf War, tours of Northern Ireland, service in Basra in Iraq, long service for serving six years or more in an operational environment and a medal for long service and good conduct.
Skip hire firm boss, Cameron Dalziel, told Lanarkshire Live : "When I saw the story on Lanarkshire Live it went right to my heart.
"Someone forcing their way into the guy's flat at taking the war medals is just the lowest of low low, it's despicable.
"I have so much respect for both serving and ex-soldiers and this guy would probably be the first person to help anyone out if they needed it.
"And to know someone has been in your home and went through your things it's, just horrible.
"The man fought and served for his country and deserves the utmost respect, I just wanted to do anything I could to help him get them back.
Fifty-year-old Robert, who suffers from PTSD, previously told us he would never willingly give his medals up.
He added: “I would do anything to try and get them back, they mean so much to me and I fought hard for them throughout my 22 years’ service.
“My plan was to put them in a frame along with another badge and plaque and keep them to be given to my daughters as a keepsake when I’m gone.”
Physical training instructor Robert served in the first Gulf War and was involved in the freedom of Kuwait, but told us how he began to struggle with depression and mental health issues six months before he left the army in 2012, having served latterly with the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
“I was breaking down all the time, my mum passed away and I never got the time to grieve," Robert added.
"In the army it’s the tough mentality. The mindset is just to get on with your work. Then when I was back in civvy street I didn’t know how to handle it."
Robert was eventually diagnosed with PTSD by an army doctor.
This isn't the first time Cameron and the firm have come to aid of the community.
They previously helped transport medics to and from their shifts during heavy snow and helped collect thousands if pounds worth of PPE when the COVID pandemic took hold which was eventually distributed among care at home staff.
Cameron added: "I will offer at least £500, maybe a wee bit more, for any information through our appeal that leads to the return of the medals or if the medals are returned to us.
"I would obviously want to ensure the medals were there before any money or cheque was handed out. If has information they can contact the EK News who will contact ourselves."
Robert’s name is on each medal along with his regimental number – 24911120.
Contact the EK News on news@eastkilbridenews.co.uk with any information to be passed on to Cameron Dalziel.
Anyone with any information in relation to the incident is asked to contact police on 101.
Information can be left anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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