"A 93-year-old war veteran says ‘I will not be taken for a ride’ after chasing robber down Newmarket street"

2015-09-11T15:19:15-04:00

From: BuryMercury

A 93-year-old woman who chased a thief 350 yards down a Suffolk street after having cash stolen has spoken of her anger at the incident.

The war-time nurse, who has asked to remain anonymous, tore after the female thief after she was targeted in Old Station Road, Newmarket, last week. She eventually lost the assailant near The Gallops.

The woman made off with £60 from her purse, as well as a card holder.

But the victim, who described herself as “very tough”, said she was not fazed by what had happened.

She said: “I was collecting some pictures and I was putting them in the boot of the car and she could see I was busy at the framers.

“She said ‘can you help me with some money to give to charity’ and I said ‘well, I can’t give much’ and she said ‘I don’t mind how small if you give it to me’. So I gave her some and as I handed it to her she knocked my hand and knocked my purse out of my hand.

“And in my purse was £60, plus I had a little folder which contained cards for different shops.

“She ran to the right and I kept on following her and there were a whole load of houses and she just disappeared in and among the houses.

“I ran as best as I could, and I was carrying my handbag.

“She must have been thinking it was a great joke. She knew exactly where she was going.”

She added: “I was just angry to think she dared do that.”

Despite contracting polio at the age of three, which affected her left side, she has had - and still enjoys -an active life.

“Age doesn’t seem to worry me,” she said. “Sometimes I think I’m not as active as I was.”

During the Second World War, the victim was a nurse with The Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) before signing up to join the Royal Air Force (RAF).

She had wanted to be a pilot, but was told she could not fly as she was too short.

Instead, she took up a position with Fighter Command at group headquarters at Uxbridge, before a commission took her to Bomber Command, and finally Balloon Command and Transport Command.

“We took out supplies and brought back the wounded,” she said. “I saw the boys during the war and they were so young and so brave. I never saw them complain. Ever.”

The veteran, who lost many friends during the war, said the war had helped her to be so resilient.

Returning to the robbery, she said: “I don’t like being taken for a ride. She [the thief] was so clever. She turned and ran and I went after her. I was so shocked anyone could do that.”

The robbery happened on Thursday, August 6, near the Clock Tower in Old Station Road.

http://www.burymercury.co.uk/news/a_93_year_old_war_veteran_says_i_will_not_be_taken_for_a_ride_after_chasing_robber_down_newmarket_street_1_4193571

A 93-year-old war veteran says ‘I will not be taken for a ride’ after chasing robber down...

A 93-year-old woman who chased a thief 350 yards down a Suffolk street after having cash stolen has spoken of her anger at the incident.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Sep 11 at 2015 3:22 PM

2015-09-11T15:22:15-04:00

They were truly a different breed, that generation.

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Sep 11 at 2015 3:22 PM

2015-09-11T15:22:48-04:00

Man good for him

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 3:24 PM

2015-09-11T15:24:42-04:00

Good for HER! That's awesome! If we all reacted like that instead of acting like victims the world would be a better place.
LTC Stephen F. What do you think?

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Sep 11 at 2015 3:29 PM

2015-09-11T15:29:06-04:00

Lucky the thief wasn't in the US. Our 93 year old vets pack.

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made Sep 11 at 2015 3:31 PM

2015-09-11T15:31:23-04:00

That granny has some MOXIE.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 3:32 PM

2015-09-11T15:32:38-04:00

Good for her....Proud of her and her commitment to helping others too.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 3:35 PM

2015-09-11T15:35:34-04:00

How awesome is this lady? I just wish she could have put the smackdown on that stealing pile of crap!

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 11 at 2015 3:51 PM

2015-09-11T15:51:36-04:00

Very sad that unscrupulous thugs pick on people they see as distracted or just plain old whether it is this country or in the land of my heritage England. I have to admit it was refreshing to read boot instead of trunk.
While the actions of the thief are disgraceful, it is good to see that veterans in England have as much pluck and vigor as veterans in this nation when it comes to confronting crimes against their person and those they love.
My family lost some relatives in the V-1 and V-2 missile strikes and bombings of the Battle of Britain and most people who were alive during WWII in England knew people who had been killed at home and in the fighting. My father speaks well of the American soldiers billeted in the south of England because they behaved well, helped the locals out and spent money which improved the economy when he was a teenager living in Somerset.
Thank you for tagging me CPT Private RallyPoint Member

Response by SGT Mark Stevens made Sep 11 at 2015 4:04 PM

2015-09-11T16:04:15-04:00

Good for her, I'm glad she wasn't hurt but it would have been nice if she could have dished out a little justice.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Sep 12 at 2015 3:05 AM

2015-09-12T03:05:43-04:00

DAFUQ is wrong with people, mugging a (literally) little old lady?

Response by PO3 Jeremiah Watson made Sep 17 at 2015 12:24 PM

2015-09-17T12:24:24-04:00

Every generation is technically a different generation. What about the airmen who took out the asshole on that train. Don't discredit entire generations of veterans and don't give in to the idea that any one generation was somehow "better".