War hero, Graham Furley, 91, humbled by replacement watch (From Stroud News and Journal)

War hero, Graham Furley, 91, humbled by replacement watch

5:00pm Wednesday 23rd January 2013 in News By Kate Wilson, Reporter

FORMER Second World War pilot Graham Furley, 91, has been humbled by the offer of a new Spitfire watch to replace the one that was stolen from his home on New Year's Day.

Mr Furley was asleep in bed when burglars forced their way through a ground floor window of his house in Birches Drive, Stroud.

They stole a number of items including his wallet, iPhone and the commemorative Spitfire watch that was a present from his daughter, Jane, and son-in-law, Bob, honouring Mr Furley's years as a wartime RAF pilot.

Last week Mr Furley, who served as a transfer pilot during the war, received the news that top UK watch manufacturer Christopher Ward had offered to replace the watch he believed was lost forever.

"I cannot believe it - it's just so kind and so generous," said Mr Furley, who has two great-grandchildren.

Mr Furley will be presented with the watch at his home on Thursday, January 24.