More than 10,500 miles away, an Australian lawyer helped recover two artefacts stolen from English churches.
Richard d'Apis spotted the items - a panel and a funerary coat of arms - from religious buildings in Norfolk and Hertfordshire while shopping online.
A member of the Heraldry Society who is passionate about symbols said it was "great" to know that his extensive knowledge and research had been put to good use and the items were now "back in their proper place".
Mr D'Apiche, 80, who lives in Sydney, said he had always been interested in heraldry, particularly funerary heraldry, and said: "Any church that has its doors open, I have to have a look.".
Vicar of St Leonard's, the Rev. Jo Burke, stands next to the returned panel [St Leonard's Church].
Last December, he was searching online for items being sold by auction house Dreweatt and came across a painted wooden panel.
After careful research, he discovered that it had been mentioned in earlier publications, particularly an 1812 edition called The Gentleman's Magazine, and that it was St Leonard's Church in Flamstead, Hertfordshire.
It dates back to the 1600s, costs around £3,000 and is dedicated to George Cordell, who served in the royal courts of three monarchs.
A ceremony to return the plaque to its rightful place will take place on June 4 as part of the Flamstead Arts Festival, which runs until June 7 [St Leonard's Church].
«"It's very difficult to get church permission to remove items like that from church furnishings, so it was unusual to see it outside the church," D'Apice says.
«"So I wrote to the rector and the churchwardens to let them know the house was up for sale, and they responded very quickly.".
«"They were able to establish from their own records that the painting was stolen from the church in 1996 along with another painting.".
«"Because the missing artwork was reported to the police and the Register of Lost Art, they were able to establish that it was their property and that it had not left the church legally.".
The auction house was provided with the relevant documents, the lot was withdrawn from sale, and its removal was arranged.
«"It's a wonderful feeling [that I was able to help]," he said.
«"This happened very soon after I identified the reason for the restoration of the funerary coat of arms from St Margaret's Church, Felbrigg, Norfolk.".
He said the item, a diamond-shaped decorative panel bearing the coat of arms of Cecilia, the widow of William Wyndham, an MP who died in 1824, was being sold by Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers in Stanstead Mountfitchet, Essex.
Rural Policing Officer PC Dane Wyatt helped return the burial coat of arms to St Margaret's Churchwarden Jan Nightingale [Essex Police].
Essex Police's Rural Engagement Team carried out the investigation and the case was returned to St Margaret's in October.
Police Officer Dane Wyatt said the gun was seized "from a seller who purchased it in good faith approximately 20 years ago.".
«"Then, fortunately, I was able to return him safely to his legal guardians," he added.
Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers said it was proud to have helped it "return safely to where it belongs.".
D'Apiche added: "The contents of the churches are gradually being destroyed by theft.".
«"Theft is a serious risk, and the Art Loss Register is a real way to prove loss, identify the true owner at the date of loss, and is enjoying great success throughout the art world.".
On June 4 he will visit St Leonard's Church and present the returned panel as part of the Flamstead Arts Festival.
«"I'm glad the plaque is back where it was for hundreds of years," he said.
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Read more about this story
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Stolen artworks worth £3,000 have been returned after 30 years.
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Cutlery worth £25,000 was stolen from a church.
Related links
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Heraldry of Australia
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St Leonard's Church in Flamstead
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St. Margaret's Church in Felbrigg
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Flamstead Arts Festival 2026