Three World War I soldier memorial statues have been vandalized in the town center of Ossett, England, prompting widespread outrage from community leaders and residents. The trio of Tommy silhouettes, which were installed in the Ossett precinct to honor fallen soldiers, were targeted by vandals on Sunday evening.
Mark Elvin, chairman of Visit Ossett, the community group responsible for installing the memorials, expressed his disgust at the destruction. "It's disgusting and so sad. These have been installed to remember those brave soldiers who gave their lives for us," Elvin said. The vandalism represents the latest in a series of attacks on the town's memorial displays, following previous damage to wooden silhouettes that preceded the current metal installations.
The statues were part of a broader community initiative aimed at enhancing Ossett's town center and making it more attractive to visitors. According to Elvin, ten Tommy silhouettes have been strategically placed throughout various locations in the town center as part of this beautification effort. "It's the little things that make a big impact," he explained, emphasizing the emotional significance of the memorials.
Elvin described the powerful effect the statues have on residents and visitors, particularly during sunset hours. "At times when the sun sets you look at these Tommies and think about the people who gave their lives and it's so poignant. And then you get these individuals who think it's ok to come along and smash them up," he said. The chairman noted that he has personally taken down the damaged figures and plans to repair them himself before reinstalling them.
Despite the vandalism, community leaders remain determined to continue their memorial efforts. "These people who are vandalizing them, they're not going to stop us doing what we believe is the right thing as a community," Elvin declared. Duncan Smith, councillor for Ossett and Gawthorpe, echoed this sentiment, describing the vandalism as "awful" and emphasizing the importance of remembrance in the community.
Smith highlighted the cultural significance of the memorials within the local community. "Remembrance in Ossett is a really big thing and the Tommies really add to that sense of pride," the councillor stated. West Yorkshire Police have launched an investigation into the incident and are urging anyone with information about the damage or other anti-social behavior in the town to come forward and assist with their inquiries.
