Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Dunkirk Memorial Cemetery

War Graves no matter in what country of the world tend to be respected and usually well tended by the local population. I have visited several War Cemeteries and memorials in different countries, but particularly in France. Therefore it was rather shocking to learn that War Graves at a Dunkirk cemetery (France) had been desecrated.

It had evidently been a much bigger shock and upsetting for relatives of some of those who are buried in the cemetery. There have been complaints to both the local Town Hall and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and as a result the cemetery has been sorted out (see the following article in the North East based 'Evening Chronicle':

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-evening-chronicle/2007/11/06/vandalised-dunkirk-gravesite-cleaned-up-72703-20068920/

Whether the authorities can apprehend those responsible is another matter.

6 Comments:

Blogger Tomcann said...

This vandalism is not too surprising to me as this is a common action to-day which indicates a total lack of respect for all things and people by those who are incapable of recognising right from wrong.
Some do gooder will now spring up and declare that more education is needed...whereas I would say that more incarceration is needed - Since this happened in France - I would re-open Devil's Island - a few years there might teach them more than education has managed in the past.
Might be a good idea if Britain were to lease a block in that Institute, might cut down the kniving and shootings of the recent months.

Wednesday, 07 November, 2007  
Blogger Boabbie said...

It is disgusting to see this desecration especially when so many people do so much to keep these graves in good order.
In this area the cwgc have just cleaned all of the head stones they look after.

Thursday, 08 November, 2007  
Blogger Cathie said...

This is amazing: I have not a word of this in the news here, and when I looked for information in the local newspaper of the North.... found nothing, except information about a previous act of vandalism committed in April against the graves of French Muslim soldiers of WW1 in Notre Dame de Lorette - they were defaced with Nazi-type graffitti. Three youths had been arrested and 'apologized'. They were sentenced to a year's imprisonment, in France, no doubt.
So you see Tomcann, it happens....

I will keep looking for more info on the recent event mentioned.

Sunday, 11 November, 2007  
Blogger Tomcann said...

Catherine - of course it happens and these louts go to what we once upon a time called "Jail" - no longer the case as they are now called "correction facilities" in other words - "Resort Spas" - with colour TV - Golf - Horseback riding - shopping days out - conjugal visits - et al....

Maggie Thatcher went along with her Home Secretary William Whitelaw - Ex Scots Guards - who set up "Correction facilities" for young vandals - he then made Army PT instructors responsible for the "correction" -

they did and those louts came out fitter - and much stronger after keeping fit by exercising on three square meals per day and were able to beat up even more old ladies - like one per day and two on sundays... the programme was quietly dropped !!!

Devil's Island is still the best cure- or my particular favourite - Melville Island - "where's that?"
- try the North West passage - it's on the left - can't miss it....won't need doore etc ...

Sunday, 11 November, 2007  
Blogger Boabbie said...

test test test boabbie.bob

Thursday, 15 November, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Has anybody ever visited Maiduguri Cemetery, Nigeria? My uncle, Sgt (W.Op./Air Gnr.)James Frederick Mayhew was buried there 04/08/1942 after an air accident. Other crew members lived. He was in RAFVR. Service No. 1189393. There are only 8 graves for Commonwealth sevice personnel and his is European Sec. Grave 1. I would especially like to obtain a photo of the grave for my mother. Can anybody help?

Tuesday, 29 January, 2008  

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