A COMMUNITY group is “incensed” after a war memorial was “obliterated” by vandals with metal slingshot pellets.
Residents have described damage caused to a metal ‘Tommy’ soldier feature in a wildflower meadow in Shillingstone, Blandford, as a “kick in the teeth” and want the culprits to come forward.
Paul Williams is the founder of the Big Yellow Bus Garden Project, a not-for-profit community scheme which offers health and wellbeing spaces for all.
He told the Daily Echo: “Around two and a half years ago we created a memorial space in honour of First and Second World War veterans.
“Sometime between Thursday (December 16) and Saturday, someone attacked our metal Tommy figure with 14mm sling shot ball bearings and completely obliterated it.
“This has completely incensed the community. Not just because of the mindless vandalism, but because of what the Tommy signifies.
“The velocity of the pellets has absolutely buckled the figure beyond repair. Imagine if they missed the target and hit someone, that could be lethal.”
The metal Tommy’s cost around £170 and was purchased from the Royal British Legion. Ex-service men and women make the Tommy’s themselves – which Paul said added to the “poignancy” of the vandalism.
Paul added: “It beggars belief that someone can do such a thing. To rattle off a dozen pellets at a figure that stands for something so important shows a total lack of respect.”
They need to know the significance of memorials like this one.”
Despite being “aghast” at the incident, Paul stressed he does not want “retribution” or to press charges and would rather the culprits come forward so he can explain the significance of their actions.
He said: “People in the community want whoever did this punished and we’ve seen a full spectrum of emotions. But I would say the ideal outcome is if the person or persons were to come forward and meet with me so I can explain the meaning behind the Tommy so they can learn from it.
“It’s not about retribution but about understanding as I think they need to know the significance of memorials like this one.”
Paul said he would purchase a new Tommy figure for the site as the current one is “beyond repair” following the vandalism.
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