Retford man tracks down family’s stolen musical heirlooms using online alerts

Mike Gleadon was reunited with the precious family heirlooms - made by world-famous Rudal Carte & Co - after discovering their online sale at an auction house.

Relieved son Mike told how he still had records of the instruments’ serial numbers and - working with police and the auction house - they were taken off sale and returned to him.

They were stolen, along with two silver watches, a silver cigarette case, silver napkin rings and a silver christening mug when his mother’s Ordsall Road house was broken into between July 22-24.

Sixty-one-year-old Mike had just lost his mum to Covid-19 in May - the 88-year-old had contacted the virus in Doncaster Royal infirmary while recovering from a stroke.

Mike said: “We've obviously had a really difficult year, so at least we've finally had some good news.

"These items are hugely sentimental to my family - they were handed down to my parents from their own parents.

“The flute and piccolo originally belonged to my grandfather - who was a bandsman and stretcher-bearer with the Sherwood Foresters in the First World War and took the instruments with him to France in the trenches.

"They are at least 100 years old and could be quite valuable.

“They were left to my father as a five-year-old when my grandfather died as an indirect result of being gassed.”

Among the still-missing family keepsakes stolen was a silver tankard inscribed 'Simon James 12th February 1964' as well a Chinese cigarette case belonging to Mr Gleaden’s grandfather.

Speaking about being reunited with the instruments Mike said: "I'd like to thank the police and the auction house for all their work and understanding - as well as the capabilities of the internet.

“I was always quietly optimistic that we'd get them back but after each week passed I lost a little hope.

"I’m only disappointed that officers haven't been able to follow the trail back from the auction house to bring the thief to justice.”

If you think you can help with the outstanding items phone 101, quoting incident number 374 of 25 July 2020.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.