Outrage as yobs smash memorials to war dead
Vandalism just days before centenary of Armistice Day
VANDALS have smashed memorials to Scots soldiers who died during the First World War.
The yobs targeted three stone markers maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
News of the vandalism – which comes just days ahead of the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day – has caused outrage.
Iain Anderson, the commission’s manager for war graves in Scotland, said: ‘It beggars belief that someone could do this at any time – but at this time of year it is particularly upsetting.
‘We are sending a team of our craftsmen to the cemetery to see what can be done. Those markers beyond repair will be placed on priority order, while we hope others can be repaired. We are also working with the local authorities on this matter.
‘We will restore the war graves to a standard befitting the sacrifice of those buried here as soon as possible and will never allow such acts to diminish the memory of those who paid so high a price for the freedoms we enjoy.’
The damaged memorials are among 12 graves maintained by the commission at the Dalziel (Globe) Cemetery, near Motherwell, Lanarkshire.
North Lanarkshire Council leader Jim Logue said: ‘We were appalled to learn of this mindless act of vandalism within a cemetery.
‘At a time when the nation is preparing to mark the centenary of the end of the Great War, this despicable act is all the more galling. We are urgently meeting the war graves commission to discuss what action can be taken to make repairs.
‘I would urge anyone with information about this hideous crime to contact the police.’
The vandalised graves were marked with a form of pedestal stone known to the commission as a Gallipoli marker in 2016. It first used this type of marker after the First World War in Gallipoli, Turkey.
One was in memory of Private R.A. Muirhead of the Seaforth Highlanders, who died on March 26, 1915; one was for Private A. Little of the Gordon Highlanders, who died on October 30, 1918, and the third was for Sapper W. Longmuir, of the Royal Engineers.
The damage, which happened last week, sparked outrage on social media. David Spruce said: ‘Alas, a nation of young men who to their core took pride in their nation, to whom family, hearth and home meant everything, have seen the freedoms they protected inherited by the mindless thugs who by doing this show they have no values whatsoever.’ Sally Burge said: ‘The man who lies beneath this grave could forgive this vandalism but we can’t.
‘These people are sad individuals who have no knowledge of what that man has given to give us what we have today.’
The commission’s Scottish works team will be at the cemetery later today to place temporary markers at the vandalised graves while replacement stones are made. It is understood that it may be possible to repair two of the stones while the third will need to be replaced.
A spokesman for the CWGC said: ‘We look after war graves at over 23,00 locations in more that 150 countries around the world. There has only been a handful of cases – sadly more here in the UK than anywhere else. But it doesn’t make it any less distressing when it happens.’
Meanwhile, police in Edinburgh are investigating after a yob climbed over a fence into a memorial garden and damaged wooden crosses and a sign in the poppy garden.
The incident happened between midnight on November 2 and 9am on Saturday, November 3, at the city’s Princes Street Gardens East.
Inspector Alan Struthers, of Howdenhall police station, said: ‘This is a reckless and thoughtless act and we need the public’s help to trace whoever did this. We have already conducted local inquiries.’
A joint statement from Poppyscotland and Legion Scotland said: ‘This is a truly deplorable and disrespectful act of malicious violence which has caused immense upset to countless people.
‘The Garden and Field of Remembrance is a very special place and thousands of locals and visitors alike spend time reflecting and remembering there each year.’
Staff worked to restore the site after contacting police.
‘Truly deplorable and disrespectful’