Sadness of veteran, 92, as thief steals medals on D-Day anniversary

Dixie Dean had his medals, and those of his father from the First World War, stolen by a bogus official who conned his way inside his home.

Police have launched an investigation after the retired fireman found 11 medals had gone missing from his home in Whetstone, north London, when he was in the property.

The incident happened shortly before 9.30am on Friday, as veterans and world leaders gathered in Normandy to pay tribute to those who fought and died in the D-Day landings 70 years ago.

A man claiming to represent a water company knocked on Mr Dean’s door and said he needed to check the water pressure.

He was allowed in and appeared to look at the taps in the kitchen before leaving a short time later.

Mr Dean later discovered items in his bedroom had been disturbed and the war and service medals had been stolen.

He said: “Now they’ve gone they can’t be passed on. If I get another set back it’s not quite the same thing as the originals.”

Police said the suspected bogus official kept the veteran busy in his kitchen while an accomplice was burgling the veteran’s bedroom.

The medals included two from the First World War awarded to Mr Dean’s father, with Mr Dean’s own medals for service in Africa, Italy, Palestine and his work with the fire service.

Mr Dean served with the Grenadier Guards during the Second World War, mainly in Italy and North Africa.