A LIFE-SIZE fibreglass pig containing the ashes of a Second World War veteran has been stolen from his daughter’s home.

Jane Gilmore said she was distraught by the theft of the pig and a fibreglass piglet from her house last Friday.

The 50-year-old bought the ornaments for £750 about a year ago and when an ear broke off the large pig before it was placed in her garden, she decided to place some of her late father’s ashes inside.

Norman Simmons, who died in 2008 at the age of 82, served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War before spending 55 years as a pig farmer in Essex.

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During his war service Mr Simmons spent 18 months in a military hospital in Australia after contracting tuberculosis.

After recovering he was advised by doctors to work outdoors and so became a pig farmer.

Ms Gilmore bought the ornaments as a tribute to him but she has now been left heartbroken after their theft.

The full-time writer said: “It was very difficult to deal with.

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Norman Simmons

“My father was and still is my hero, my inspiration, my first love and my best friend. That’s what this means to me.

“Thankfully I did not put all his ashes in there but it is painful to think someone has taken some of them home and is looking at them.”

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The pigs, above, were part of an installation outside Ms Gilmore’s house in Courtington Lane, Bloxham, and were secured to the ground.

She said: “It is quite nice because the pigs were quite close to the road and little kids going to primary school would stop and look at them.

“They were wired and cemented into the front garden so it was clearly pre-meditated. I don’t know whether it was schoolkids who were given a challenge to steal them but I do not expect to see them again.

“I wonder who thought it would be okay to do that and I would like them to know what they have done.”

The mum-of-two lives with son Michael, but her older son Adam travelled up from Bristol to comfort her last weekend following the theft.

She called the police on Monday to report the theft but said she just wants her father’s ashes returned.

She said: “I do not mind if they just turn up again but I would like them back.”

Royal British Legion Banbury branch chairman Chris Smithson said he was “saddened” by the theft.

He said: “I hope whoever did this feels guilty now and returns them.

“They probably did not know there were ashes in there and the sentimental value it has to the family.

“I am saddened and I hope that they feel remorse.”

Thames Valley Police spokeswoman Connie Primmer said officers were investigating. Anyone with information can call police on 101.

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