A WOMAN has spoken of her anger after a town council lost a prestigious medal awarded to her ancestor for bravery in the Second World War.Jane Edwards said she was “staggered” at the actions of Aldeburgh Town Council, which is responsible for two George Medals, one of which was awarded to her great-niece Dorothy Clarke, formerly of the town.

By Richard Smith

A WOMAN has spoken of her anger after a town council lost a prestigious medal awarded to her ancestor for bravery in the Second World War.

Jane Edwards said she was “staggered” at the actions of Aldeburgh Town Council, which is responsible for two George Medals, one of which was awarded to her great-niece Dorothy Clarke, formerly of the town.

It was believed the two medals were in a safe, with replicas on display in the town's museum, but now no-one can now find the honours and Suffolk police have been called in to help.

Mrs Edwards, from Lavenham, said: “They should not have been lost and it is important that people do not forget about this.

“I am going to write to the town council and ask what has happened.”

Mrs Clarke, a housewife from Aldeburgh, received the medal for bravery after driving an ambulance through a minefield at Thorpeness to help injured and dying soldiers. First-aid assistant Bessie Knight-Hepburn, also of Aldeburgh, also received the George Medal in 1941.

Police officers do not think the medals have been stolen but are helping Aldeburgh Town Council to locate them.

Celia Leggett, Aldeburgh's deputy mayor, said: “It is a police matter and we are working with them and hope to have the matter resolved as soon as possible.”