Vic man pleads for return of war medals

A Melbourne man feels like he's lost his connection with his great-grandfather after World War I medals were stolen from his house.

They were stolen along with other personal items from Troy Dafter's Collingwood home on November 14.

Most of the belongings were found in a stolen van in Fitzroy five days later, but the medals weren't inside.

Mr Dafter says the irreplaceable medals hold immense value to his family.

"It's surprising that they think they could make money off these," Mr Dafter told reporters on Monday.

"I mean they'd get 10 bucks a pop.

"They're just general service medals, but they're priceless for me and my family."

Mr Dafter's great-grandfather Jim Dafter was bound for Gallipoli when his ship was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine.

Forty men perished but Jim survived to serve the remainder of the war on the Western Front.

Jim's diary was uncovered five years ago, giving the family a greater connection to the man that earned these medals.

"I felt like I had a connection with him and to have that taken away is devastating," Mr Dafter said.

Mr Dafter is hoping to get the medals back in time for the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing next year.

"That's the heaviest blow really," Mr Dafter said.

"Please help me commemorate my great-grandfather's bravery and service to our country."