'Mindless' attack on war memorial sparks outrage

Published on Wednesday 1 October 2008 09:49

VANDALS have spray-painted the word "beast" across a memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives in the First World War.

Police have branded the attack on the Duddingston War Memorial as "mindless" and the incident has angered local people.

They are anxious to get the graffiti removed in time for the community's Armistice Day commemorations, which mark the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

The memorial has been on Duddingston Road West since 1921 and is thought never to have been attacked in this way before.

The Duddingston Village Conservation Society, which lays a wreath at the site each year on behalf of local residents and conducts a remembrance service, asked the council to remove the graffiti in time for November 11.

Today the council said work had begun on removing the graffiti.

Lindsay Crofts, the society's secretary, said: "It's horrible that this has happened but I'm pleased to say that the council has responded quickly.

"It's horrible to see, which is why I got on to the council straight away, because I want it off as soon as possible, and I hope they manage to do it before Armistice Day.

"I have no idea why they have written 'beast' but what is clear is that not everyone has respect for war memorials."

Police have launched an investigation after an officer on routine patrol spotted the scrawl on the base of the memorial.

George Robinson, a member of city military heritage group the One o'Clock Gun Association, believes teaching young people about the atrocities would avoid this kind of vandalism.

He said: "The kids that do this don't really understand what they are doing because the information isn't there now.

"If they really knew what it was like and how war left families destitute they wouldn't do it. It's all about education.

"The cross commemorates young guys from the village who were killed in the First World War.

"If the kids who graffiti these monuments realised that many of the soldiers who died in action were teenagers like themselves, they might treat the memorials with some respect.

"These men had no choice about going to war and we shouldn't be getting their memorials defaced like this."

The council environment leader, Councillor Robert Aldridge, said work to remove the graffiti was under way.

"I was extremely disappointed to learn that reckless vandalism was caused to this memorial," he said. "Cleaning up graffiti in Edinburgh costs the council more than 80,000 each year. It is an ongoing problem in the city, but we will not tolerate anyone defacing public buildings, memorials and street furniture."

A police spokesman said: "This was a mindless act of vandalism and we are anxious to track down whoever is responsible. Anyone with any information that can help our enquiries is urged to contact police immediately."