Victoria Cross disappearance from Chelmsford City Museum probed

The 120-year-old medals, Britain's highest military bravery award, were discovered missing after a routine inspection at Chelmsford City Museum.

They were awarded to Sergeant William McWheeney in 1857 and Lieutenant Francis Parsons in 1900 for their bravery in the Crimea War and Boer War respectively.

Essex Police have confirmed they are investigating whether a theft has occurred although Chelmsford City Museum have said there is no evidence of this.

The medals were discovered missing in a routine inspection (Image: SWNS)

The descendants of those awarded the medals have been contacted while the museum believes the medals may have been "located elsewhere".

The Victoria Cross was established in 1856 and is the most prestigious decoration in the British honours system.

The medals of Sergeant McWheeney and Lieutenant Parsons were being housed at Chelmsford City Museum in their Essex Regiment Museum collection.

Sergeant William McWheeney was part of The Essex Regiment and was personally presented with the Victoria Cross by Queen Victoria in Hyde Park, London in 1857.

He saved the life of Private John Keene in 1854 by carrying the wounded man on his back, bringing him to safety despite being under heavy fire at Sebastopol, Crimea.

Victoria Cross (Image: SWNS)

Lieutenant Francis Parsons, also a member of The Essex Regiment, heroically rescued a fellow soldier by dressing his wounds during the Boer War in 1900.

Despite being under enemy fire, Lieutenant Parsons went down to the bank of the River Modder, in South Africa, twice to bring Private Ferguson water.

Parsons would not live long enough to know he had been recommended for the Victoria Cross as he was killed in action just weeks later.

Marc De’ath, who is responsible for museums at Chelmsford City Council said: "Although there will inevitably be some speculation about this news, I would urge people not to jump to conclusions.

"At this stage, we are keeping an open mind about what has happened; there is currently no evidence to suggest that these medals have been stolen and staff at the museum are not under suspicion."

"We will work closely with the Essex Regiment Museum and Essex Police as we continue our search, and we would urge anyone with information that may be relevant to get in touch with the police.”

Robert Wilde-Evans, a military medal specialist at Spink Auctions, a premier auction house in London, said the Victoria Cross was highly sought after and considered rare.

Mr Wilde-Evans explained: "There have only been 1,358 awarded since 1856 and they are the ultimate medal for valour in the face of the enemy.

"These days we would see a Victoria Cross sell for approximately £200,000 as its lowest price - the average we'd say is around £300,000."

"There would be no point in melting the medal down as the metal itself is just bronze - it has no intrinsic value outside of what it represents and the person would just be destroying a piece of history.

"If someone came to a medal specialist with a Victoria Cross, they would require some form of legitimate proof of ownership before undertaking any business.

"If there was any ambiguity over where the medal came from, the medal specialist would make an informed, responsible decision on their next steps, even if it meant involving the police."

A spokesperson from Essex Police said: "We received a report on 25 September 2023 of an item being reported missing from Chelmsford Museum.

“We are working closely with Chelmsford Museum, Chelmsford City Council and the Essex Regiment Museum Trust as part of this investigation to determine whether a theft has occurred.

“Enquiries remain ongoing within our Criminal Investigation Department.”