An Australian lawyer tracked down two stolen church treasures from his Sydney office. And he saw the rare items on British auction lists while searching for old heraldry. Now the recovered pieces rest in England.
How Did a Solicitor Spot Stolen Treasures from Sydney?
Richard d'Apice AM searched online sales from his desk at a Sydney legal office. And he saw unique markings on a wooden board and an old funeral hatchment. So, he wrote to the English parishes to stop the sales.
The eighty-year-old lawyer loves old symbols in rural buildings. So, he travels to look inside local churches. And his deep love sparked a big recovery work across the globe.
What Are the Stolen Church Artefacts?
The recovered items include a painted wooden board and an old funeral hatchment. So, thieves took both objects from English churches back in the nineties. But now the pieces are safe.
The wooden board honors George Cordell. But he served in the royal homes of three kings before dying in May 1653. And local files show he worked as the royal Sergeant of the Ewry.
Thieves stole this board from St Leonard's Church in Flamstead during a 1996 break-in. But d’Apice spotted it at a Dreweatts sale in December 2025. So, he wrote to Reverend Jo Burke to stop the auction.
The vicar searched old files. "We had all forgotten the panel had existed," Reverend Jo Burke stated to local investigators. Now the church plans a public display on June 4, 2026.
Why Does the Windham Hatchment Matter?
This painted board honors Cecilia Windham, who died in 1824. The item left St Margaret's Church in Felbrigg during a 1993 theft. Yet a police team got it back in October 2025.
PC Dane Wyatt led the search from his local station. And he got the board from a buyer who bought it years ago. "Happily, I was able to deliver it safely back to its legal guardians," PC Dane Wyatt noted.
How Do Parishes Protect Their Heritage Now?
Church wardens and local police are using new tracking tools to stop thefts. So, records filed with the bureau prove that modern logs cut down on art loss.
Indicator | Old Tracking Practices | Proposed Reform Model |
|---|---|---|
Inventory Records | Paper logs stored in damp vestry boxes | Centralized digital databases with photographic evidence |
Theft Verification | Local memory and manual insurance reports | Automated checks using the Art Loss Register |
Recovery Strategy | Waiting for local police discoveries | Active online monitoring of auction catalogues |
Heritage crime is rising in the United Kingdom. But quick volunteers help keep history safe. "Theft is a major risk," says d'Apice.
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