Theft leaves heroes' families shattered

Families of the Victoria Cross winners whose medals were stolen in the smash-and-grab at the Waiouru Army Museum have been left feeling gutted by the theft.

Greeta Hulme, the daughter-in-law of VC winner Clive Hulme and widow of world motor-racing champion Denny Hulme, says she can't believe "some lowlife could do such a thing because it's New Zealand's heritage".

She thought the medals were by now "hidden away in a private collector's vault" and would never be seen again.

"I think they're long gone, I think before Interpol was alerted they were out of the country.

"Somebody had a Christmas wish list and this was one of his goals in life," Mrs Hulme said.

Doug Elliott, son of World War II hero Keith Elliott, said he did not blame the museum.

"Absolutely not. They have been very co-operative with our family.

"It's just a bloody disgrace that someone would steal these things and I know that there are overseas collectors who wouldn't give a rat's backside about it."

Scott McQuade, great grandson of Private Thomas Cooke, who won the VC in France in 1916, said the priceless nature of the medals should have been reflected in security arrangements.

Mr McQuade said the museum administrators should be facing some hard questions. "Clearly the security was inadequate and it is no excuse to say that standard operating procedures were followed.

"I want to know what measures are being taken to significantly improve security at the museum and prevent another tragedy."

Private Cooke's medal was not among the nine VCs stolen.

Dr Glyn Harper, director of Massey University's Centre for Defence Studies, said the theft should serve as a wake-up call for collectors and museums holding valuable medals and memorabilia.

He believed there was a market for the stolen medals, thought to be worth $20 million.

"These medals will never be sold publicly, as all have the names of the recipients on the back.

"There is still a black market, however - some people have a lot of money and not all have the ethics which preclude them from buying something stolen."

But Wellington medals expert John Wills doubted the stolen VCs were now a part of an illicit market.

"I have no idea of the existence of a black market. They're all readily identifiable medals anyway.

"My view is they're still in the country. I've got no basis for that but it's my gut feeling."

He dismissed the idea of an overseas buyer paying off a crack team of burglars to rip off the medals as "the sort of stuff you'd read in novels".