Prized war medals stolen from NSW veteran

War veteran Allan John Moffatt says he is crushed after discovering seven service medals and badges have been stolen from his Sydney home.

The 73-year-old has turned his Balmain unit in Sydney's inner west inside out looking for the five medals and two infantry badges, but remains empty handed.

"I've had this crushing weight on my chest," he said.

Among the prized possessions are active service infantry gold medals from Thailand and south east Asia, an infantry combat defence force medal and a war medal from service in Borneo.

The veteran last saw the medals when a cleaner opened the chest of drawers containing them on June 16.

Mr Moffatt went to the police over the weekend to report the theft.

Police believe it was a targeted theft.

Only two people have had access to his apartment in the last six months, including the cleaner, Mr Moffatt said.

He said a rare medal from the Malaysian government had the most sentimental value.

Mr Moffatt said the medals and badges would be valuable to collectors.

Balmain police Inspector Winston Pisani said there were no signs of forced entry into the apartment.

He said police have canvassed the area, looking in pawn shops and elsewhere for the memorabilia, which held more of a sentimental than monetary value.