UPDATE: Missing SAS soldier pub sign found after break-in at Hereford pub

THE wife of a SAS soldier is appealing for the return of a painting of him that was apparently stolen from a Hereford pub.

The Volunteer Inn is currently boarded up, although it is hoped that the Harold Street venue will reopen next month.

However, it appears that a sign depicting John Williams has gone missing.

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"It was the original sign that was outside the Volunteer," said Beryl Williams. 

"It was put up in 1964 when my husband was in the Light infantry.

"It was later taken down and put in the skittle alley. The Light Infantry and my son and daughter-in-law have asked for it - the Light Infantry wanted it for its museum but now it has been stolen.

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"It wasn't doing anything - my husband was a curator at the time when he died 14 years ago.

"Whether we get it back, I don't know, but it appears that posters were stolen as well. 

"He was a well known chap who joined as a young cadet, then was in the SAS for a quite a lot of years."

The Volunteer is run by Star Pubs & Bars, the pub business of Heineken UK.

A spokesperson confirmed that it is temporarily closed for necessary compliance works, and minor damage to some glazed external doors, including broken panes, is being repaired. 

"This damage occurred before we drew up the current schedule of works in early June," said the spokesperson.

"We do not know the details of when or how it occurred.  

“The pub will reopen in mid July under temporary management while we identify a suitable person to lease it and review possible options for upgrading the pub. In the meantime the pub is secured and monitored by a security company.”