RAF veteran is devastated to lose his service medals at D-Day celebrations as he asks for help to get them back

An RAF veteran has been left devastated after losing his service medals at this week's D-Day celebrations and has asked for help to get them back.

Tom Weatherall, 90, is searching for the missing honours, which include the British Empire medal, the Queen's 1953 Coronation Medal and the RAF Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, after they went missing at the 80th anniversary event, which saw veterans gather in France.

The ex-miner was called up for national service in 1953 and was asked to be an RAF right marker, typically the tallest member of a parade, at Queen Elizabeth II's coronation thanks to his six-foot-two-inch stature.

He later rejoined as a caterer in the forces but his career was cut short after he received a wound to his arm caused by a shard of glass.

He previously told Forces News he lost four-and-a-half pints of blood in a four-and-a-half hour stint in hospital after the incident.

Mr Weatherall, who racked up more than 30 years' service for the air force, told LBC that he was heartbroken to lose the medals which are thought to have gone missing at a church service in Ranville on Thursday.

He said: 'I'm just upset. Everyone else is marching with their medals, without them I feel naked without them.

'If anyone can help I'd be really grateful.'

LBC presenter Nick Ferrari revealed on air that he is offering a reward of £500 for the safe return of the honours.

Mr Weatherall previously described the memorable day of the late Queen's coronation more than 70 years ago.

The veteran, who was stationed outside Westminster Abbey with the RAF, said: 'As an ex-pit lad, it was a real privilege to be part of the Coronation Squad.

'On the day I was outside Westminster Abbey, and we saluted and presented arms as the Queen got out of her carriage.

'As soon as the Queen was inside, we marched off and enjoyed the party atmosphere with a few pints in the Elephant and Castle.'

It comes after headlines surrounding this week's celebrations were dominated by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's decision to skip a major ceremony in France.

War veterans, military chiefs and critics from across the political spectrum have since queued up to condemn Mr Sunak's blunder.

The Prime Minister apologised for the 'mistake' – but was accused of letting the country down, with some even branding his actions as 'stupid'. 

It has emerged that after attending British/French commemorations on Thursday alongside the King and president Emmanuel Macron, Mr Sunak left Normandy for an interview with ITV, due to be broadcast next week.

It meant that he missed the international ceremony, which was attended by 25 world leaders and heads of state, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings.

World leaders, including US President Joe Biden, gathered to mark the sacrifice made by troops arriving on the Normandy beaches in 1944.

But the UK was represented by the Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron – while Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also rubbed shoulders with international politicians.

Yesterday, Mr Sunak issued an apology over social media and repeated it in an awkward exchange with broadcasters during an election campaign event in Wiltshire.

He suggested it had always been his intention to leave before the international ceremony on Omaha Beach, even before he called the General Election.

'I'm someone who will always admit when I've made a mistake,' Mr Sunak said.

'I stuck to the itinerary that had been set for me as Prime Minister weeks ago – before the election.'