Five First World War medals awarded to a local heroine have been stolen, it emerged this week.

The medals belonged to the incredibly brave Dorothy Penrose Foster who served as a nurse on the frontline in France, witnessing horrific sights.

Such was Dorothy's commitment to caring for wounded and desperate soldiers that she was mentioned in General Sir Douglas Haig's despatch of May 19, 1916.

Dorothy, from Liskeard, was awarded the Military Medal, the Bronze Star 1914, the Order of The Red Cross First Class (Military Division), the British War Medal 1914-1919 and the Victory Medal with Oak Leaf Emblem. All of these have been stolen.

The medals were kept on permanent display in a frame at Liskeard and District Museum.

Curator Anne Monk said: 'When the theft was first discovered, everyone was in shock as virtually nothing has ever gone missing before.

'We are still distressed about losing something so valuable in the history of the town.

'Dorothy was a heroine of Liskeard, and stealing something like this from the museum is like stealing from the whole town.

'The theft is particularly distressing at this time of commemoration of the centenary of the First World War, and especially as Dorothy is portrayed in our current exhibition.

'The medals, although of great historical worth to Liskeard, are not of great monetary value, so one theory is the medals could have been stolen to order for a collector. We would like to hear from anyone who may have information, or please talk to the police. It would be wonderful if the medals were returned.'

The theft was discovered by a museum volunteer a year ago this month, but this is the first time the museum has made it public.

The police were informed at the time, but because there was a spate of thefts from museums nationwide, there were fears that the publicity would draw more attention to the Liskeard building, portraying it as an easy target.

However, with the recent installation of a new CCTV system, the museum now feels confident enough to publicise the theft.

An exhibition being staged until the end of March portrays 'Women at War' with much detail about Dorothy. A notice has gone up at the exhibition which states: 'Sadly Dorothy Foster's medals were stolen from this museum'.

Dorothy's nursing medal from the Territorial Force Nursing Service was the only one not taken.

Dorothy, whose family home was at Trevillis House, was called up at the outbreak of the First World War, going to France the following month. She was awarded the Military Cross for bravery in the field at a casualty clearing station which was being steadily shelled. It was said she set a splendid example of calmness and composure.

Dorothy went on to live until 1953.