War Memorials
16th November 2009
This has been a year of remembrance. 75 years since the outbreak of the 2nd World War, 65 years since the D Day landings and of course the loss of lives in Afghanistan this year. It is also 60 years ago since the opening of Broomfield Park’s memorial to Southgate’s servicemen and civilians who died in the 2nd World War.
Alderman Wauthier said at the time “The Garden of Remembrance is a hallowed place and should not be interfered with”. As we know sadly last August the memorial was shamefully desecrated with the theft of the bronze memorial plaques and damage to the masonry. However I am very pleased that the Council provided a temporary replacement in time for Armistice Day and have agreed to install a permanent granite memorial.
The message from over 150 who attended last week’s Armistice Day remembrance in Broomfield Park echoed the words of the Mayor in 1949: “Time may dim our recollections of the heroic days of the war but will never obscure the gratitude we shall hold for those who fell. We shall not forget. This memorial is living testimony to those of whom we in Southgate are proud.”
The desecration has not stopped us remembering our brave soldiers and civilians of Southgate and beyond who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
National media coverage sought to portray the desecration in Palmers Green as peculiar to our area. Following research I have discovered that the equivalent of one memorial a week is desecrated across the country. The number of these incidents is a matter of national shame. The law as it stands does not properly recognise criminal damage to war memorials. A maximum of 3 months imprisonment is not enough for desecration of war memorials. Such acts are more than vandalism but are attacks on our values and country.
I will introduce a bill in the forthcoming Parliamentary session to allow these cases to be dealt with by Crown Courts where the judges will have access to more severe punishments that crimes of this nature deserve. The law needs to reflect the public’s concern about these acts of desecration which show little honour for the brave men and women commemorated by the war memorials in our communities.”
