WAR medals that were stolen 35 years ago from one of the north west’s most historic properties have been returned.

The medals – awarded to Arthur Tylston Greg and Robert Philips Greg for service during the First World War – are now back at Quarry Bank Mill.

“The theft was very upsetting for Alec Greg as they were such tangible reminders of his elder brothers,” said David Sekers, who was the museum director at the time of the theft.

It is not known who stole the medals, but they are believed to have spent the past three and a half decades in various private collections.

Their return is significant not only because they were part of a collection left by Alexander Carlton Greg, when he donated Quarry Bank to the National Trust, but also because they are back on public display helping to tell a sad but important part of the mill’s history.

Arthur and Robert were the two eldest sons of Ernest William Greg who co-owned Quarry Bank Mill with his brother in the early 1900s.

Both Arthur and Robert were killed during the war and the Greg family were never the same again.

After the end of the conflict the medals awarded to Arthur and Bobby were sent to Ernest William Greg from the War Office.

The medals awarded were: n Next of Kin bronze plaques n Arthur’s three medals: the 1914 Star and the British and Victory Medals n Bobby’s British and Victory Medals The medals were mounted on to a wooden shield with golden-brown velvet backing fabric and glass front. Accompanying letters by King George V were also framed.

These medals and their documentation, along with a large quantity of family archives and objects, were donated to the National Trust and were on display in the Mill Manager’s Office.

However, in March 1978 all the medals – apart from Bobby’s British War Medal – were stolen.

Last year the medals came to light and Quarry Bank and the National Trust set about having them returned.

“It has been a long time, but the most important thing is that the medals have been returned,” said Eleanor Underhill, general manager at Quarry Bank.

“The public can now see them once again and learn more about the contribution these brave men made towards the war effort.”

You can now see the medals as part of the Heroes of Adventure exhibition at Quarry Bank Mill.