Legion’s ‘outrage’ as displays attacked

THE Yeovil branch of the Royal British Legion has expressed its anger after its poppy displays were vandalised in the town.

There have been numerous reports of vandalism in recent weeks of displays commemorating the centenary of the end of the First World War.

It has been alleged that poppy decorations on King George Street were torn down and that the Yeovil War Memorial and the Commonwealth War Graves sign on Preston Road were also defaced.

This comes after the Poppy of Honour was smashed in Wincanton.

Christopher Le Hardy, the president of the branch, said: “On behalf of the Royal British Legion and all the wonderful people of south Somerset that support our Armed Forces and their families, I write to express outrage at the senseless tearing down of poppy decorations on King George Street in Yeovil, the defacing of the Yeovil War Memorial and the Commonwealth War Graves sign on Preston Road and the damage in Wincanton to the World War One Poppy of Honour.

“In a week that has seen the Duke and Duchess of Sussex supporting the success of the Invictus Games for injured servicemen and women in Australia, the launch of the Poppy Appeal nationwide and the Chancellor’s pledge for funding for mental health through the Covenant Foundation, it is simply unacceptable that a very, very small element in our society see fit to insult the memory of those that died for our freedom.”