Wigan borough CIC boss urges thieves to return Tommy statues stolen from a war memorial made by veterans
Thieves have stolen from a war memorial on a roundabout in Leigh, which had been created by veterans.
A poignant war memorial created by veterans in Wigan borough was targeted by thieves just 24 hours after Armistice Day.
A roundabout at Leigh Sports Village has 1,800 poppies commemorating those who fell during the First World War, white crosses representing casualties from the Second World War through to present day and black Tommy statues.
The tribute was created by members of Reeva Programme CIC’s Our Woodland Makers group, which provides veterans and emergency service leavers with an opportunity to come together through woodworking, crafting and other creative activities.
But a post on the organisation’s Facebook page on Friday morning: “To the horrible person/people that have stolen Tommies off our roundabout project last night: you are horrible, disgusting and dishonourable. Please return them.”
In a video, founder and director George Brooks said: “Some horrible individual or individuals have come onto the roundabout last night. They have stolen the World War One Tommy off the roundabout and they have also taken three of the Tommy honour guards.”
He said he would be removing the remaining Tommy statues on Friday morning, so people should not be alarmed if they see this being done.
Mr Brooks continued: “I apologise that we are taking the Tommies off a week early, but clearly people can’t be trusted and I don’t want the hard work of veterans and all the people who have helped being taken.
“The police have been informed about this and we have also shared it far and wide.
“If you do have our Tommies, please bring them back to the roundabout. You are taking stuff that veterans have made, so please, please bring them back.”