Bill Holden returned to the Argus with tears in his eyes for the second time in a month, but this time they were filled with joy after his father’s “extremely important” war medals were returned to him.

Mr Holden and his wife Pat’s house was gutted by a fire on Thursday June 8 and their home was later ransacked by thieves.

Among the stolen items were the war medals which Mr Holden described as the last connection he had to his late father.

Bill sent a plea to the Kempsey community for the medals to be returned and fortunately his request didn’t fall on deaf ears.

On Wednesday July 19, Mr Holden’s neighbour contacted him with the amazing news, someone had put the medals in his mailbox along with a note.

“I’m sorry came across these in my lil cousins cubby and remembered the thing on Facebook,” the note read.

Upon hearing the news, Mr Holden was overcome with emotions.

“Most of all I was relieved,” Mr Holden said.

“It is the last thing I have of my dad and a reminder of what he faced when he went off to war.”

Mr Holden didn’t care who had taken them in the first place, he was just glad they were returned and thankful to the Kempsey community who helped it happen.

“I am very thankful for the kindness and support everyone showed towards me,” he said.

“To the Argus for getting my message and story out there and Ray Hadley even mentioned it on his show to get the word out there.”