Post by emre on Jun 4, 2009 17:06:23 GMT
WAR graves have been smashed on the eve of D-Day.
As some of the few remaining North East veterans plan their pilgrimage to France this weekend to commemorate 65 years since their heroism on the beaches of Normandy, mindless yobs in Wallsend smashed headstones marking the sacrifice of men who fought for Britain in the two world wars.
The 12 war graves were among 20 targeted in a wrecking spree at Church Bank Cemetery.
Wellwishers today spoke of their shock at the damage, which they discovered after the vandalism was carried out on Sunday night.
Alongside the Commonwealth War Graves, honouring soldiers who died in both World Wars, five other family memorial stones were broken. A further seven headstones were pushed over.
Rubble was left strewn around the yard, vases had been smashed and heavy headstones lay cracked.
It is believed the offenders used concrete slabs or similar objects to break the headstones. Several were so badly cracked their words were illegible.
A Wallsend resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “I was almost in tears when I saw the damage. The sick vandals smashed up war graves without any thought.
“The stones were erected in memory of brave soldiers who gave their lives fighting for this country. To see them destroyed in this way made me fill up. It was a despicable thing to do.”
Royal British Legion member Jenny Robson, who helps to organise the Poppy Appeal, said it was upsetting to see the vandalism.
Jenny, 60, of Forest Hall, served as a naval nurse in the 1970s.
She said: “It was very heartless to do a thing like that. It’s disgusting and just wanton vandalism on the part of people who have no respect for those who have died.
“Vandalism has been a problem for a long time and similar incidents have happened at other cemeteries in the past. But it was a sad sight to see the graves damaged in this way.”
As some of the few remaining North East veterans plan their pilgrimage to France this weekend to commemorate 65 years since their heroism on the beaches of Normandy, mindless yobs in Wallsend smashed headstones marking the sacrifice of men who fought for Britain in the two world wars.
The 12 war graves were among 20 targeted in a wrecking spree at Church Bank Cemetery.
Wellwishers today spoke of their shock at the damage, which they discovered after the vandalism was carried out on Sunday night.
Alongside the Commonwealth War Graves, honouring soldiers who died in both World Wars, five other family memorial stones were broken. A further seven headstones were pushed over.
Rubble was left strewn around the yard, vases had been smashed and heavy headstones lay cracked.
It is believed the offenders used concrete slabs or similar objects to break the headstones. Several were so badly cracked their words were illegible.
A Wallsend resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “I was almost in tears when I saw the damage. The sick vandals smashed up war graves without any thought.
“The stones were erected in memory of brave soldiers who gave their lives fighting for this country. To see them destroyed in this way made me fill up. It was a despicable thing to do.”
Royal British Legion member Jenny Robson, who helps to organise the Poppy Appeal, said it was upsetting to see the vandalism.
Jenny, 60, of Forest Hall, served as a naval nurse in the 1970s.
She said: “It was very heartless to do a thing like that. It’s disgusting and just wanton vandalism on the part of people who have no respect for those who have died.
“Vandalism has been a problem for a long time and similar incidents have happened at other cemeteries in the past. But it was a sad sight to see the graves damaged in this way.”