Vandals attack VC heroes’ trees
VANDALS have been slammed for damaging two trees dedicated to war heroes from Widnes both awarded the Victoria Cross (VC).
Oak saplings had been planted in Victoria Park dedicated to Sergeant Thomas Mottershead of the Royal Flying Corps who was born on Vine Street, and Acting Lieutenant Thomas Wilkinson of the Royal Naval Reserve from West Bank.
The men were awarded their VCs posthumously during the World Wars.
Sgt Mottershead saved the life of his observer after landing his plane which was set ablaze by German fire over the Western Front during the First World War in January 1917.
Act Lt Wilkinson went down with his ship, HMS Li Wo, after attacking a Japanese convoy in February 1942 during the Second World War.
Tony Miller – most recently the founder and secretary of the statue appeal for Sgt Mottershead which will be officially unveiled in Victoria Park at the start of April – saved up to buy three oak saplings for Halton’s three VC recipients.
The two Widnes ones were planted in Victoria Park near the Cenotaph last week.
But on Friday night, one of them was snapped in half, while the other was dragged out of the soil and had its roots damaged.
Tony told the Weekly News he was ‘totally disheartened’ over the weekend and the incident has been reported to Cheshire police.
Halton Borough Council has also been informed of the damage and Tony has vowed both trees will be replaced in time for the unveiling of Sgt Mottershead’s statue.
He said: “We, myself and the council, will not let those low lifes dictate what we can do to honour these great men and what they represent.
“Both men died fighting for our country, those who destroyed the ● trees that were planted in honour of them have nothing to give in life, no doubt following a family tradition in being experts at being envious of others.
“They cannot brag to anyone what they have done, they have to keep it secret for the rest of their life – what an accolade to their actions.
“I can’t explain why the trees were destroyed. The only thing I can think of, they are envious of things they cannot have or deserve, plus they are stupid.
“I was totally disheartened over the weekend, but I have had many messages of support, a woman from New South Wales in Australia wants to make a donation towards the trees, as do many other people.
“Hopefully the very brave tree killers will have filmed themselves and shared it to many others, perhaps one of the recipients will show the police or post it on social media.”
CCTV footage is being studied and the council has also condemned the damage.
A spokeswoman for the local authority said: “It is disgraceful that vandals have destroyed these trees which were donated and planted in memory of local war heroes. The trees will be replaced as a living reminder of the sacrifice made by these men for their country.”
A third tree is being planted at Runcorn Town Hall dedicated to ● Private Thomas Alfred ‘Todger’ Jones who was awarded his VC following actions at the Battle Of Morval in 1916 for killing a sniper and capturing 102 German soldiers single-handedly.
A statue to Pte Jones was unveiled in 2014 in Runcorn and an appeal for one to Act Lt Wilkinson, which would be placed in West Bank, is due to be officially launched.
Tony added: “I am even more determined to get the third statue of Tom Wilkinson VC and three trees planted in their honour.
“If people wish to donate, they can donate to the Tom Wilkinson VC statue appeal, but that money will not be used for the trees, I am replacing them.”