Several service medals taken from a Raymond Terrace home earlier this month have been located in Charlestown.
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Vietnam veteran Des Bailey had reported his medals stolen from his Muree Street home on April 4.
His personal medals remain missing but his uncle Alva Bailey’s three WWI medals were among the items found along with Des’ miniatures – medals worn on formal occasions.
“I got a call last Tuesday night from Belmont police,” Des said.
“Time will tell but I’m hopeful of getting the rest back.”
Belmont police were called to the Newcastle Heights Motel at 7.45pm on April 11.
The war medals had been discovered in a vacant room.
Police are continuing their inquiries on the medals still missing.
Des said he had enjoyed much support since the medals were taken from his home while out for the day.
He made a public plea for help locating the items including a wooden box and paper record’s of his uncle’s service.
“A lot of people called which was great,” he said.
“They told me they would keep an eye out for them.”
The theft had been a cruel blow for Des near to Anzac Day.
"It was the medals that hit home, especially with Anzac Day around the corner," he said after the theft.
"I always march here [Raymond Terrace] with them."
His six medals still to be found 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."
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.