91yo widow pleads for return of stolen World War II medals

A 91-year-old widow is pleading with a thief to return precious war medals belonging to her late husband and father-in-law, before Anzac Day.

Jean Tarry only discovered the medals were missing when she returned to her Bribie Island home, after a stay in hospital.

The great grandmother lost her husband Frederick in 1983 - now she's lost his treasured World War II medals.

Frederick's four medals had been stored in a metal box, along with three belonging to Jean's father-in-law - wounded four times during the World War I.

Jean noticed the tin missing from her bedroom cupboard when she returned to her Bribie Island home from a short stay in hospital.

"I was really shocked that they weren't there," Ms Tarry said.

"We pulled the house to pieces but I’ve always put them in one spot."

The medals were last seen, not long after being worn by Jean's son and grandsons at last year's Anzac Day march - a tradition they've followed for more than three decades.

It's possible the medals have been missing for 11 months, stolen by the thief who broke into Jean's home and took $400 from her purse.

"To think someone comes into your house and takes things of no value to them but a life time of value to us, it makes you very sad," Ms Tarry said.

Jean's hoping the medals will be returned before Anzac Day next Friday.

"if they could give them back i would be very grateful," she said.