Second World War hero's grave smeared with faeces in "despicable act by people with no concept of respect"
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A Second World War soldier’s grave has been smeared with faeces in an act labelled "a despicable act by people with no concept of respect".
But the appalling act was quickly reversed by another veteran living nearby who raced around to the cemetery after work and scrubbed his fallen comrade's grave clean immediately.
The clearly marked headstone on the grave of 24-year-old Royal Engineer Reg Granger was desecrated with faeces in St Mary’s Churchyard in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, on Friday.
People have taken to social media in their hundreds to express outrage, anger and dismay at the actions of whoever was responsible.
Leicestershire Police are investigating.
(Image: Leicester Mercury WS)
Mr Granger's grave is marked with a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone, the Leicester Mercury reports.
It states that he died on 21 August, 1940, and that he was a driver with the Royal Engineers.
He shares his last resting place with his widow, Winifred, who died in 2005, aged 91, never having remarried.
At the foot of the distinctive Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone is a smaller engraved stone which says: “Together at last, beautiful memories, treasured thoughts of happy days we spent together.”
Enraged ex-serviceman Alan Head, of nearby Broughton Astley, went straight round to the churchyard to clean the mess from the headstone.
(Image: Leicester Mercury WS)
The 49-year-old veteran of the Kings Own Royal Border Regiment said: “They should get hold of this disrespectful little s*** and shove his head down a drain for a fortnight or put them in the Army for a year.
“I really can’t think what would be in the mind of somebody who would do something so disrespectful to someone who has died in the service of their country, particularly in the Second World War.
"I can’t put it into words that you could print.”
He added: “I heard about it and people were saying they couldn’t get time off work to go and clean it, so I went round when I got home from work at 7pm on Friday.
“It was excrement on the headstone, I’ve got most of it off but it’s left a stain.
“The people who did this aren’t fit to walk past his grave. I was so incensed when I heard about it.”
Alison Anderton, who recently arranged a celebration of the life of Arnhem hero Jim Duplock in the town, said: “I know it has upset quite a few people. I think it’s senseless. Why would you want to do a thing as senseless as that?
“It just beggars belief, I’m lost for words as to why someone would want to do it, it’s an absolutely disgusting thing to do to any grave - why on a soldier’s grave? What is it with people?
Angry Facebook posts included that of James Kettleton, who said: “May the souls of all the fallen meet this person at the gates of peace and send him straight to internal hell . Mocking the fallen like this is the only way this/ these people would stand a chance against fallen heroes.”
Timothy Roberts: “So angry to see that grave , i can see he was only 24 when he made the ultimate sacrifice, his poor wife lived to be 91 , a lifetime they were never able to enjoy . a despicable act, by people with no concept of respect.”
Margaret Fletcher: “find the hooligan and make him work in the cemetery, he should hang his head in shame at what he has done.”
Judith Hulse: “ I am sickened by the depths of depravity some people sink too. No punishment will remove the obscenity of this action.”
Stephen Dean: “Evil ungrateful b******* .NO shame or morals .Find them and jail them. Take away the freedom given to them by the very brave men and women who fought for it.”
Tricia Dean, churchwarden at St Mary’s, said: “The desecration of the grave of Driver R.A.Granger on Friday was deeply upsetting to all of us at Lutterworth Church.
“It is unacceptable that his memorial should be attacked in such a vile manner. However, we want to thank and applaud the actions of the local resident, who, with no prompting, came and cleaned the gravestone. It was a generous act of remembrance to Driver Granger and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.”
A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: “Damage was caused to a gravestone within the grounds of a church in Church Street, Lutterworth. The incident took place during the evening of Friday 11 August. Enquiries are ongoing into the report. If anyone has any info they are asked to contact 101."