Thieves ransacked a war hero’s home and stole his medals as he slept.

Eight medals were stolen from retired Major Leslie Grout including two campaign medals for North Africa and Burma and his MBE medal presented by the Queen.

The 99-year-old widow, who served in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps mainly in north Africa during the Second World War during his 40 year military career, also lost about £380 of cash during the raid on his New Malden home during the early hours of March 5.

Step-daughter Jean Davies, 83, who lives on the same road, said: “They came in the back way and broke the door. They ransacked the whole house except the front room where he was asleep.

“He slept through the whole thing.”

Mrs Davies was alerted to the incident after her stepfather’s carer turned up to find the house in a mess the same morning.

She said: “The carer rang me at about half past seven in the morning and I went straight over.

“The cupboards were all open and things were strewn across the floor.

“He didn’t quite know what happened. It hadn’t hit him I don’t think. He was hurt that the medals were gone.”

Maj Grout, who is a great-grandfather, was married for 75 years and has been living alone since his wife died two years ago. He retired in the 1960s.

Mrs Davies said: “He was a well seasoned officer. He did his bit. Unfortunately his memory is going but his whole life was the army. He went through all the ranks.”

Police are asking anyone with any information relating to the thefts to contact DC Grahame Thurlow on 020 8721 5892.

They are also asking the public to keep a look out in open spaces and gardens in case the medals have been dropped by the burglar.