Anger at Defacement of Bedford Park War Memorial
Several plaques with names of First World War dead removed
The metal plaques appear to have been prised off. Picture: David Beresford
There has been widespread dismay and anger after the Bedford Park Great War Memorial Seat outside St Michael and All Angels Church was damaged this week.
Vandals defaced the memorial by prising off several of the metal plaques on which the names of local residents who gave their lives in the First World War appeared.
It is believed that the offence was committed overnight on Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 June.
Cllr Gerald McGregor said, “The Tabard pub is very close by as are local restaurants at Bedford Corner. If any resident was there on that evening they may have noticed suspicious behaviour or had your suspicions aroused. The Police Crime Management Team would welcome a call if you had any information to offer (however limited).
“Vandalising a public monument commemorating our war dead is now a severely punishable offence and regrettably it is not the first time this memorial has been targeted."
The memorial before it was vandalised. Picture: David Beresford
David Beresford said, “I am particularly dispirited because I was the principal researcher when St Michael and All Angels undertook a centenary project to discover the lives of the Bedford Park Parish’s casualties which can still be seen on-line at smaaawwi.org.uk. Eight of the 17 metal plaques that name the dead have been prised from their place on the back wall of the stone seat, which was created by subscription of Bedford Park residents, and specially designed by Inigo Triggs in 1918.”
Detail of the stonework behind the metal plaques. Picture: David Beresford
If you have any information that might help the police you can contact the Crime Management Team on 020 8284 5100 on Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm quoting Crime Reference Number 0510905/21.
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June 6, 2021
