News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Anzac-war-graves-main_article_image.jpg
@CllrJanePalmer
UK News

Village "deeply aggrieved" after vandals attack war graves for a second time

by Aaron James

Around 28 graves, of Australian war dead, were graffitied with blue paint on Saturday night. The corner of one tombstone was completely broken off.

They're part of 112 graves which make up Britain's national Anzac cemetery in St Mary's parish churchyard in Harefield, West London.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has begun restoration work on the tombstones.

Police are still looking for the perpetrators, and it is unclear why the graves have been targeted on two seperate occasions. The first was the night before Anzac Day earlier this year.

Revd Martin Davies, vicar of St Mary's, told Premier: "We think that somebody does know who did it, and the simple answer would be for the person who knows to come forward and tell the police and then we can wrap it up and sort it out.

"We cannot have this sort of thing happening again. This has really hurt people quite seriously and its an affront to Australians.

"This is something Australia values very much, that we have this cemetery in this country and that we care for their war dead.

"It's more than the congregation [that's been affected], I mean the village owns this cemetery.

"In the First World War people were brought to what is now Harefield Hospital, so the association is with Harefield Hospital. It's with the village as well as the church, and the whole village feels deeply aggrieved that this sort of thing should happen.

Listen to Premier's Aaron James speaking to Revd Martin Davies here:

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate