Let's prosecute the vandals who abuse our war memorials
I AM in full support of John Abberley's comments ('Protect our memorials from insults to the men who died', Sentinel, August 27).
I fully agree with all of his comments and most important is the fact that these people have no respect for the fallen of two World Wars.
John's article mentioned a campaign by London MP David Burrowes who wants to cherish and protect memorials. Damage to war memorials is actually classed as criminal damage. The vandals against the memorials of this country should be punished, like the woman in Blackpool, who urinated and committed a sexual act on the memorial. We have had damage to lots of memorials in this city including the metal wreath taken which has to be replaced and it is not a matter of the results of drunkenness, because some of these people are 10 and 12.
In the article by John he comments on the graffiti that was daubed on the walls in Tunstall Memorial Gardens.
That was only the beginning. We have had wreathes stolen, wreathes stuffed in waste paper bins, wreathes used as wickets to play cricket, also bikes being ridden in the gardens, and football being played. We have also had branches on trees broken off. These war veterans who never returned need more respect, and they should be glorified and not ridiculed by the acts of unscrupulous people.
As late as Sunday, August 29 at 7.30pm we had a gang of boys playing football in the Memorial Gardens and because the gates were locked. I believe this is an act of illegal trespass. Also on Monday, there were people in there, riding bikes. Just when are the authorities going to act to stop this vandalising of the Memorials?
I would like to try to contact this London MP David Burrowes to give him my full support on just what is going on, because these MPs do not come out on site, and half the things that are going on they don't know about.
I only hope that they give us some more respect when we hold our Memorial service on Remembrance day on November 11.
All these things have been reported locally to the police and to the city council. I will leave you to justify these acts of destruction to the War Memorials, just to thank people who have supported the committee and myself.
And just to keep people up to date within the next two weeks there are going to be two big crosses – one on each side. There are also going to be two vase holders bolted down, so people if they wish can put fresh flowers on the memorial.
We are also having four trays made, so we can do away with the wooden boxes and sand. The reason for this is because in the middle of the year, maybe May time, these boxes were deliberately broken and run over with bikes, and all the crosses were sprayed around the Memorial Gardens just like confetti.
I am still in negotiation with the city council to have the name displayed – Tunstall War Memorial Gardens.
DOUG GREEN
Chairman, Tunstall War Memorial Gardens
6 Comments
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by Andy, Bucknall
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 7:12PM
“Warren of Meir: Yes, some muslims did indeed fight against Hitler. However, Tens of Thousands fought FOR the Nazis during World War II.
I draw your attention to the book:
"Hitler's Jihadis : Muslim Volunteers of the SS" (Hitler's Legions) by Jonathan Trigg.”
by Warren, Meir
Sunday, September 05 2010, 7:53PM
“May I remind the idiot who wrote that Islam will rule the world that many of the muslim feath gave there life to defend the world in the war.”
by Andy, Bucknall
Sunday, September 05 2010, 6:06PM
“As a history graduate, I cannot understand why young people lack the education about World War II in particular. It was the most important period in this island's history. If they were educated properly maybe they wouldn't vandalise our memorials to those whom we owe our very existence as a nation.
Those who desecrate them MUST be jailed at least for a short term. Deny them their freedom as Hitler would have denied this country's freedom. John mentions the muslim who spray painted "Islam will rule the world" over one memorial. He should have been deported to Iraq. Of course being a muslim in PC Britain means he cannot be prosecuted for fear of "racism".”
by Warren, Meir
Sunday, September 05 2010, 3:00PM
“I to blame the parents and the lack of respect shown by some of them on the subject, witch at times comes from a non understanding of what is important. A respect for the men and women who gave there lives to this country is one of the most important things instill into a child.”
by Chris, stoke on trent
Saturday, September 04 2010, 6:48PM
“I quite agree. I was bought up by my mother alone after my father died.I was taught to have respect for the sacrifices made by the generations of my grand parents and great grand parents.To this day and at my age of 28 I still observe the two minutes silence and go to the war memorial.I am saddened by the louts who vandalize these monuments...have they no decency but then again only humans have a sense of decency.The men and women gave their lives so that we did not have to.”