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Australia war graves vandalism 'deplorable' | Australia war graves vandalism 'deplorable' |
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The vandalism of Australian war graves at a cemetery in west London has been condemned as "deplorable". | The vandalism of Australian war graves at a cemetery in west London has been condemned as "deplorable". |
The final resting places of soldiers who died in World War One were found daubed with paint at Harefield churchyard in Hillingdon on Sunday. | The final resting places of soldiers who died in World War One were found daubed with paint at Harefield churchyard in Hillingdon on Sunday. |
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) described it as a deliberate act of vandalism. | The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) described it as a deliberate act of vandalism. |
A clean-up team has begun work to restore the graves to their original condition. | A clean-up team has begun work to restore the graves to their original condition. |
CWGC assistant director general Mike Bullen said: "We are extremely disappointed by this deliberate act of vandalism and deplore the actions of those responsible. | CWGC assistant director general Mike Bullen said: "We are extremely disappointed by this deliberate act of vandalism and deplore the actions of those responsible. |
"We have a team at the cemetery now taking action to clean the headstones and we hope to get the war graves back to their original condition. | "We have a team at the cemetery now taking action to clean the headstones and we hope to get the war graves back to their original condition. |
"We are in contact with the police and the Australian High Commission and New Zealand High Commission and will assist in any way we can." | "We are in contact with the police and the Australian High Commission and New Zealand High Commission and will assist in any way we can." |
Hillingdon councillor Jane Palmer said the discovery left her in tears. | Hillingdon councillor Jane Palmer said the discovery left her in tears. |
Police are investigating what is the second attack at the cemetery this year. | Police are investigating what is the second attack at the cemetery this year. |
The Uxbridge Gazette reported that on the eve of the Gallipoli centenary a memorial in the cemetery was sprayed with paint and the Australian flagpole damaged. | The Uxbridge Gazette reported that on the eve of the Gallipoli centenary a memorial in the cemetery was sprayed with paint and the Australian flagpole damaged. |
Harefield churchyard contains 120 World War One graves, mostly soldiers who died in the Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield Park. | Harefield churchyard contains 120 World War One graves, mostly soldiers who died in the Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield Park. |