Rutherglen Reformer

Memorial stone vandalised 24 times

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In 2010, David travelled to the spot where his cousin was killed for the unveiling of a memorial.

A stone was placed at the very spot on White Brae as well as a 15-foot obelisk at nearby Ballysilla­n Avenue.

The memorials were erected using funds raised by the Royal British Legion Oldpark/Cavehill branch.

Cambuslang man Dougie Thomson also helped out along with a number of other friends of David.

David was there with Alistair McCaig, who lost his two brothers that fateful day.

Since then, the stone has been vandalised 24 times.

“It’s been paint bombed, had graffiti on it and smashed with hammers,” says David.

“Every time I get a phone call about it, I feel sick to the stomach. Just let the boys rest in peace.”

David also feels many people in Scotland don’t appreciate how many Scots were victims during the Troubles.

And he was left stunned when North Lanarkshir­e Council considered flying an Irish flag to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising.

“I was presented with an Elizabeth Cross and letter from the Queen thanking Dougald for his service at Motherwell Civic Centre about four years ago.

“So I was disgusted when I found out they were going to fly the tricolour there to commemorat­e the Easter rising. They were terrorists in 1916, and again in 1971.

“It’s worth rememberin­g there were a lot of Scottish soldiers killed during the Troubles.”

 ??  ?? Graffiti The memorial to the three Scottish soldiers has been vandalised 24 times
Graffiti The memorial to the three Scottish soldiers has been vandalised 24 times

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