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Vandals wreck war memorial
YOBS who desecrated a war memorial and daubed it with Nazi graffiti were last night branded a "disgrace." Joanne Ginley
A statue of a lone soldier which stood overlooking Norman Park in Birkby, Huddersfield, has been toppled and was found lying face down.
"Die 4 no reason, long live Hittler" was found scrawled on the memorial, along with other obscenities, while metal plates bearing the names of the fallen have been stolen.
The chairman of the West and South Yorkshire Royal British Legion, Bob Mortimer, said: "It is absolutely disgusting that somebody could do this.
"This is a disgrace, you cannot believe it. It's not just graffiti, they have wrecked it."
He said he could not imagine how the families of the men whose names were on the stolen rolls of honour must feel.
Mr Mortimer said the statue was heavy and would have been difficult to topple.
He said it would have been impossible to get a vehicle onto the site because the gate was locked. He believes several people must have attached a rope around the statue and pulled it over, between Friday night and Saturday morning.
The memorial was dedicated to servicemen from Fartown and Birkby who were killed in the First World War.
Last night ward councillor Mehboob Khan, leader of the local Labour group, appealed for anyone with any information to come forward.
He said: "It's an act of vandalism condemned by all sections of the community,"
He said the matter had been reported and Kirklees Council staff had removed the memorial for repair.
A spokeswoman for West Yorkshire Police confirmed an investigation was under way. Anyone with information should ring 0800 555111.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 11 February 2012
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Temperature: -2 C to 0 C
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