A Bromesberrow pensioner is coming to terms with the theft of irreplaceable First World War medals belonging to his father and two uncles during a burglary.

Gerald Morris, 74, of Beech Lane, wants the medals back because they are memorials to one uncle who was gassed on the Somme, another who died in the field at Rouen, and his father who saw action at Jutland, the biggest naval engagement of the war.

Mr Morris believes the medals may have been taken by someone merely wanting money for drugs, and said: "The people are scum who did this. I am devastated that someone has taken my father's medals. When it comes to it, this has gutted me."

The intruders also took an antique, seven-day chiming clock in a dark wood case. It was 100 years old and belonged to Mr Morris' mother.

He said: "I have lived in Bromesberrow Heath all my life and never had anything taken before now, and my father never used to lock anything up. But now, you can't leave anything alone."

Six of the medals taken were Royal Navy awards, given to Mr Morris' father, Vincent Thomas Morris. Each medal clearly bears his name.

He served 25 years with the fleet and saw action in the South China Seas, Jutland and Gallipoli, where the First Class Petty Officer was wounded in the arm by shrapnel.

Five other medals belonged to Mr Morris' uncle, Frank Woodward, who was gassed at the Somme and returned home to Gloucestershire, only to die young from the results of gas poisoning. His medals included a good conduct award and all five are inscribed with his name.

Five more medals, also inscribed, belonged to Mr Morris' other uncle, Ewart Andrew Morris, who was an army driver in the Great War and died at Rouen in France.

Mr Morris still has a letter that the young man wrote to his mother while on his deathbed, saying sorry to her that he would not be coming home.

Burglars forced a rear window to get into Mr Morris' home at around 8.15pm on June 18.

Anyone with information should phone Gloucestershire Police on 0845 090 1234.