'Gutted' former Royal Marine appeals for return of medals and bugle after theft from van in Gosport

Jim Christopher, 49, left the marines in 2014 but has continued to wear his medals and use his bugle to play the Last Post at the funerals of military veterans, as part of his new job as a funeral director.

It was his wife Emma, an NHS nurse, who first noticed the van had been broken into as she was getting ready to go to work where she is playing a vital role in the delivery of Covid vaccines.

Jim, of Armstrong Close, Gosport, said: ‘I was dealing with our dog who needed to go to the vets due to being diagnosed with cancer when Emma noticed the back door of the van was open. At first I thought they had just taken some walking boots and sunglasses but it was later when I realised the case with my bugle and medals had gone.

‘In my role with funeral directors I can often be called at short notice by the families of veterans and so I keep the case and medals in my van so they are ready to go. I was absolutely gutted when I realised they’d been stolen.’

After 27 years serving as a bugler in the Royal Marines the instrument and medals had great sentimental value to Jim. He has used the bugle to play on the roof of Buckingham Palace as well as performing the first solo rendition of the Last Post at the Royal British Legion Remembrance Ceremony in 2012.

Jim said: ‘I was presented with the bugle during my time serving on the Royal Yacht Britannia – there were only five ever made. I have lost my Good Conduct and Long Service medal as well as the medal I was presented with after playing at the Queen's Golden and Diamond Jubilees.

‘They have a lot of sentimental value. You remember the places you played and the ceremonies but I no longer have the bugle and the medals I was presented with.’

SEE ALSO: Gosport police say there have been no dog thefts reported in last year in the town

Jim is now pleading with the thieves or anyone who may have information to help return the medals to come forward so they can be reunited.

He added: ‘The bugle would be very difficult to sell and the medals are not of any real monetary value. I would urge anyone who has taken them to do the right thing and return them. I’m happy for this to be done anonymously.

‘If anyone has bought the items then I would happily reimburse whatever has been paid.’

The medals are inscribed with Jim’s name and the bugle has the distinctive marking BandH500.

A statement from Hampshire Police said: ‘We have received a report of a Volkswagen TR-Sport van being broken into in Armstrong Close sometime between 9pm on Wednesday February 3 and 6am the following morning.

‘It was reported a silver bugle in a black case, three medals, two pairs of boots, a Samsung phone and sunglasses had been stolen.

‘Anyone who saw anything suspicious or who has information should call 101, quoting the reference 44210042573.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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