Of the items taken, his service medals were the only items that really mattered to him. 

Those and his uncle's WWI medals.

Des Bailey moved to Raymond Terrace four years ago and after the horrors of war, as well as the grief-filled homecoming, he’d "finally found some relief".

Mr Bailey went out on 8.30am Tuesday and returned to his Muree Street home about 4.30pm, devastated.

"The place had been turned upside down," he said.

"The only other thing they took was about $100 in coins."

The thieves climbed onto a garden chair and jimmied open a side window, away from prying eyes, where Mr Bailey's home backs onto Muree Golf Course.

"It was the medals that hit home, especially with Anzac Day around the corner," Mr Bailey said.

"I always march here (Raymond Terrace) with them."

His six medals include the Vietnam Company medal, National Service medal and Vietnam Logistics medal, Active Service medal, the Long Service medal and the Defence Force medal.

Mr Bailey said the emotional scars were still raw from when he arrived back in Melbourne from service.

"Uni students threw red paint, called us baby killers," he said.

"The old diggers (WWII) didn't call it a war, they said it was a police action."

Mr Bailey's been out of the army 20 years and had been living in Sydney until four years ago.

"I found coming to Raymond Terrace to be a great relief. It's only been since Namibia, Iraq and Afghanistan, has there been greater acceptance," he said.

Since the theft he's dropped leaflets with the details of the medals to Raymond Terrace business houses.

A wooden box, measuring about 30 centimetres long, 15cm wide and 20cm deep, contained not only his medals - court mounted - but those of his uncle Alva G Bailey too, along with paper records of Alva's service.

Alva was killed in action at Passchendaele, October 10, 1917. His medals included the Victory medal, the British War medal and the 1914-15 Star for service on the Western Front.

The box should also contain the miniatures belonging to Des - smaller versions of the full size medals usually worn on the lapel.

"There's a slim chance they'll turn up but you never know," Mr Bailey said.

"They're no good to anyone else but the wearer and I'm afraid if they can't sell them they'll end up in the bin. I can only hope that they grow a heart and return them, no questions asked."

People with information about the theft and medals can call Des Bailey on 4987 6049, 0408 208 317, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.