File:Day 314 - West Midlands Police - Officers medal gesture to war heros son (8169521127).jpg

The son of a World War II hero will join Birmingham’s Remembrance Day parade on Sunday wearing bravery medals won by his late father – thanks to a West Midlands Police officer.

Ian Jones was devastated when thieves stole the four medals – British War and Defence Medals, the 1939-45 Star, and an African Star – during a break-in at his Harborne home in August.

Local Police Sergeant Steve Rice, himself a medal enthusiast, took a keen interest in the enquiry but efforts to trace the accolades proved fruitless.

However, Sgt Rice was determined Ian would be able to line-up alongside veterans and their families on November 11, and has donated four of his own medal collection – all exact replicas of those won by Edward ‘Vic’ Jones from 1942-45 – for Ian to keep permanently.

Ian – whose father served in Tripoli, Libya, with the Royal Ordnance Corps – said: “It’s a fantastic gesture from Steve; I desperately wanted to honour my father’s memory on Remembrance Day by wearing the medals. Now thanks to Steve’s generosity I can wear the medals with pride.

“My father survived the war but died in 2009. Many children or family members of former war heroes take part in the parade and can wear their parents’ medals on the right-hand side of their chest. It’ll be an emotional occasion for me.”

The 58-year-old will be handed the four medals, mounted on a metal bar, at a presentation by Sergeant Rice at West Midlands Police HQ Lloyd House tomorrow morning.

Sgt Rice said: “I had three of the four medals already in my collection and managed to source the other one through a dealer.

"I’m delighted to have been able to help Ian out following his loss – the medals are much better displayed proudly on Ian’s chest during the Remembrance Parade rather than in a collection cabinet!