Police Congratulated For Medals Recovery

ACT New Zealand National Security Spokesman Heather Roy was today delighted to learn that Police have recovered the medals for bravery stolen from Waiouru Army Museum at the end of last year.

"Our thanks should go to the Police who conducted 'Operation Valour' - as the hunt was named - and its lead Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Bensemann," Mrs Roy said.

"Thanks must also be given to the two philanthropists - Baron Michael Ashcroft, himself the owner of the largest private collection of Victoria Cross medals, and a Nelson businessman who has elected to remain anonymous - who put up the $300,000 reward which, it is understood, played a major role in the resolution of the hunt.

"While Baron Ashcroft has no particular link with New Zealand, he clearly has a sense of history: 96 medals were stolen, including the two Victoria Crosses won by Charles Upham in WWII - making him the most highly decorated soldier in the British forces. His first VC was earned in Crete for rescuing a badly wounded soldier, although himself in poor shape, and second was earned in Egypt when he went behind enemy lines to find a group of his men who were isolated.

"This theft caused enormous offence to New Zealanders' sense of patriotism and sparked international outrage. The medals themselves represent the bravery, courage and sacrifice made by heroes of our nation - the venal acts of the culprits sit in stark contrast with our heroic Anzac heritage. Sergeant Bensemann has stressed that the hunt for the thieves will continue, and it can only be hoped that they will be caught soon," Mrs Roy said.