WW II medal stolen from 91-year-old veteran's car - Action News
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Ottawa

WW II medal stolen from 91-year-old veteran's car

A bronze medallion presented to 91-year-old Edgar Hughes for escorting troops to the beaches of Normandy during the Second World War was stolen from the veteran's car in Cornwall, Ont., last week.

Medallion was gift from captain of HMCS Fredericton when ship was docked in Cornwall

Edgar Hughes was honoured with a bronze medallion for escorting Canadian troops to the beaches of Normandy during the Second World War and last week, it was stolen from the 91-year-old's car. (The Canadian Press)

Edgar Hughes was honoured with a bronze medallion for escorting Canadiantroops to the beaches of Normandyduring the Second World War and last week, it was stolen from the 91-year-old'scar.

Although the Cornwall, Ont., manhopes the medal is returned to him, Hughessaid he's not angry.

"Anger has no purpose. No. What do you achieve?" he toldCBC Radio's All In A Day on Friday.

On Tuesday morning, Hughesnoticed the passenger side door of his car was slightly open.

The medallion a gift from the captain of the HMCS Fredericton when the ship was docked in Cornwall in 2010 had been in the car because Hughes was in the middle of amove.It was taken overnight.

"It was emotional. I was very proud," he said.

Heroic act aided D-Day invasion

Hughes was a member of the Royal Navy.Under attack in the English Channel on June 6, 1944, Hughes said hereleased "the thickest white smoke youever saw in your life," hiding the ship he was on and those behind itfrom the enemy.

"The shelling stopped," Hughes recalled. His actions allowed soldiers to make it to shore and storm the beaches of Normandy in theD-Day battle thathelped secure victory for the allied forces in war.

A second medal a gift from a friend was also taken from his car. Hughes said hehopes whoever took the medals hears his story.

"It's really possible, deep in their heart, they just might say, 'We're sorry. We made a mistake.'"