Pup solves medal mystery

World War II medals stolen in a home burglary in Geraldton have been found more than seven months later by a puppy 220km away.

Frank Miragliotta had possession of his late father’s war medals when his home was burgled in February.

The medals, along with other sentimental items, were stolen while he and his wife Judy were in Perth.

Oricia ‘Rincie’ Miragliotta was the recipient of a 1939-45 Star, an Australian Defence medal, a War Medal 1939-45 and an Australian Service Medal 1939-45.

He served his country as a gunner for the duration of the war, based at Darwin.

He was just 17-years-old when he was conscripted to the Army and was present for the bombing of Darwin on February 19, 1942 in which more than 200 people were killed.

Every day for months after the burglary the couple would check their front yard hoping the thieves had a turn of conscience and had thrown the medals back over the fence or put them in the letter box.

And every day their hopes were dashed.

But last week the medals were found by a puppy underneath a generator at the Badgingarra Roadhouse.

One of the workers went out to find his puppy chewing on a bag, and inside the bag were the missing medals.

Mr Miragliotta spoke with Moora police on Tuesday who confirmed they had possession of the medals and would transfer them to Geraldton Police Station to be returned to him.

Tuesday would have been Rincie Miragliotta’s 93rd birthday.

He sadly passed away in 2003.

Mr Miragliotta broke the news to his mum that her husband’s medals had made it home.

Freda Miragliotta will turn 93 next month.

“She cried,” he said.

“You would have thought she’d won Lotto.”

Mr Miragliotta said it was an “incredible story” with a happy ending.

“I was heartbroken when they were taken,” he said.

The medals will be returned to the family’s safe for safekeeping.

“We cherish these medals more than anything,” he said.

The medals will eventually be passed on to the couple’s son, Frank.