Yobs destroy our soldiers’ headstones
HEARTLESS yobs have smashed the headstones of brave Second World War soldiers.
Four military graves of soldiers killed in action have been desecrated in Walker Cemetery, Newcastle.
The graves, one of them belonging to a soldier who died aged just 24, have been turned to rubble by the vandalism spree.
Victor Pollitt, 67, a veteran of the Territorial Army’s Parachute Regiment, discovered the damage while walking his dog.
He said: “For anybody’s graves to be destroyed like this is disgusting, but for military graves you just can’t believe it.
“These are people who have given their lives for this country and for the very freedom of the person who has done this.
“Perhaps the war isn’t really taught so much these days, I don’t know. My grandson was over from Ireland at the time we found them and even he said it was disgusting – that’s from a 14-year-old.”
Mr Pollitt, who served with the TA in Greece, Germany and Cyprus, says his veteran comrades are equally disgusted.
Around 30 veterans from the Parachute Regiment Association meet each month to discuss military issues and Mr Pollitt, of Walkergate, says the state of former soldiers’ graves should be top of the agenda.
He added: “Everyone is absolutely disgusted. This has come up in the meeting before when we heard about a couple of graves in Gosforth.
“But those ones had only been neglected, not absolutely destroyed like the ones in Walker.”
Margaret Wood, Labour councillor for Walker, said: “When you think it’s the graves of people who fought to save our country it’s just terrible.
“We do have advice surgeries for people to bring this kind of thing to our attention. But it’s hard to see what you can do with cemeteries – they’re not somewhere you can lock up and leave.”
Police are appealing for information about the damaged graves after an anonymous call from the public.
Neighbourhood Inspector Steve Baker said: “We understand that damage to headstones is distressing. The public can help us in our inquiries by reporting criminal damage at the time it happens.
“Anyone wanting to speak to us anonymously can call 08456 043 043 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
A spokesman for Newcastle City Council said: “The council abhors this disgusting act of vandalism which must be extremely upsetting for both friends and loved ones of those buried in this part of the cemetery.
“Our wardens will continue to monitor the situation closely.”
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-evening-chronicle/2007/10/10/yobs-destroy-our-soldiers-headstones-72703-19927461/
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