War graves in west London churchyard desecrated by vandals

Hannah Al-Othman24 November 2015
WEST END FINAL

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Heartless vandals sprayed blue paint over the headstones of soldiers from Australia and New Zealand at a cemetery in west London.

The graves were damaged in St Mary's churchyard in Harefield, Hillingdon overnight on Saturday.

The churchyard contains 120 World War One graves, belonging to Australians who died in the Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield Park.

It is the second time this year that headstones have been defaced.

Cllr Jane Palmer said she was "moved to tears" when she saw the desecrated headstones.

She told the Standard: "I was moved to tears, I came from my own spiritual meeting, my Quaker meeting, because I'd seen this on social media.

"It just went down there to see for myself and offer support to the community and the church. It was dreadful.

"It happened before six months ago, around the centenary of Anzac commemorations.

"I have no idea why anybody would want to do anything like that to any grave.

"We work very closely with the local police, and we've been in communication ever since it happened.

"They're doing their utmost to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice."

Insp Rob Bryan from Hillingdon police said anyone with information should contact police on 101.

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