A war hero has been left devastated after burglars broke into his home and stole his World War Two medals.

John Seal, 98, was asleep in his bedroom when intruders broke in to his home and ransacked his house taking his war honours.

His nephew, Jon Seal, 64, said fortunately his uncle was not hurt.

He said: ‘They found his medals in the study upstairs, it was lucky there wasn’t more damage and they didn’t come into his room. The came in while he was asleep. Luckily he wasn’t disturbed.


John Seal, 98, was asleep in his bedroom when intruders broke in to his home and ransacked his house taking his war honours (Picture: Ferrari Press Agency)

‘Obviously that’s the most important thing for us but he’s actually devastated to lose his medals.



‘Looking through the house there’s not a lot of value except his medals but it’s five years of your life in the Second World War.’

Mr Seal had five medals, including an irreplaceable honour from the South African Air Force for his work helping to direct Spitfire ground attack missions.

He joined up in 1940 and first served with the King’s Royal Rifles and helped guard RAF Tangmere, a Fighter squadron base during the Battle of Britain.

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He was given a rifle – but no bullets – to guard the air base.

He was then transferred into the Hampshire Regiments and posted to Cairo where he spent a lot of his time working as an accountant – and played rugby in his spare time.

But the young soldier wanted to see more action and went to his superiors.

A week later he was packed onto a train and sent to the remote desert railway station of El Alamein.

Mr Seal was seconded to the 40th Squadron of the South African Air Force and his job was to drive into the desert in a three tonner truck just behind the front lines and spot targets and positions for Spitfires to attack.

He would then debrief pilots on their return.

Mr Seal had five medals, including an irreplaceable honour from the South African Air Force for his work helping to direct Spitfire ground attack missions (Picture: Ferrari Press Agency)

Following the Allied victory in the decisive desert battle of El Alamein, John followed the squadron into Europe in Italy and ended the war in Austria as a sergeant.

Despite being strafed and bombed by enemy aircraft several times he never needed to fire his gun in anger.

He was also awarded the Italy Star, the African Star, the 1939-1945 war medal and a medal for the Battle of Britain. He also had a medal presented to him by the South African forces for his service with the SAAF which he was particularly proud of.

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After the war John worked for the London Electric Company before settling in Chichester with his wife Betty.

The couple did not have any children and Betty sadly passed away a few years ago.

Nephew Jon and his family posted an appeal onFfacebook which was been shared 70,000 times.

One medal collector has presented Mr Seal with a replacement set of the British medals. But the South African award is much harder to come by.



Jon said: ‘The response has been amazing. It has restored our faith in human nature. It’s really heartening. You go from one moment of sort of disgust with the human race and the next day you’ve got massive support and it boosts your morale.’

Mr Seal said he felt anxious about the break in and hoped they wouldn’t return.

He said: ‘I felt bemused. I didn’t understand what had gone on. It wasn’t very nice. I am getting over it now. It just makes me wild that I didn’t wake up for it. I could have confronted them.

‘I would really like my medal’s back. They have huge sentimental value to me. Replacements are very nice, I am pleased to have them, but they don’t really replace the originals, it’s not the same.’

The medals, an African star, Italy Star, two end of World War Two medals and a Battle of Britain medal, were taken from the home in Chichester, West Sussex between 8.30pm on Sunday June 17 and 8.30am Monday June 18.

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Police Constable Paul Rogers of Sussex Police who is investigating the break in, said: ‘This was a cowardly theft from an elderly victim where the items were stolen while the victim, a 98-year-old man, slept.

‘We are appealing for the public to keep an eye on any online buy and sell pages for any of these medals. If you see any of them for sale please get in contact with us immediately.


‘Also, we would like to speak to anyone who witnessed any suspicious behaviour in the area around this time.’

To report information please report online or call 101 quoting reference 238 of 18/06.

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