Soldiers' headstones stolen from graveyard

Headstones marking the graves of 10 British soldiers have been stolen from a graveyard in France, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission said today.

The Portland limestone memorials belonged to the graves of British servicemen who died during the First World War.

It is thought the 10 named gravestones, taken from Hiberts Trench Cemetery in Wancourt, near Arras in northern France, may have been stolen for building materials.

Peter Francis, from the CWGC said: “It would seem that that theft is not politically motivated.

“The stones were obviously stolen for a highly inappropriate use – perhaps building work. We are making every effort to repair the cemetery as soon as we can.”

The robbery took place over the weekend and the local police authorities are investigating.

Mr Francis said it was highly unusual for the gravestones to be taken away: “We have never heard of people stealing the headstones.

“We have had incidents of vandalism – relatively few given how widespread our task is – but our main problem is in the UK rather than abroad.”

Each gravestone is worth about €430 and will be replaced with each soldier’s details inscribed.

Mr Francis said: “It is extremely distressing – obviously we do our best wherever we are in the world to commemorate all the people of the Commonwealth involved in the two world wars.

“It is very upsetting for the next of kin – it must be distressing for those who have loved ones buried abroad.”

Wancourt cemetery is a small site containing the graves of 133 UK forces and three Canadian soldiers.

The village of Wancourt, five miles west of Arras, was captured by Commonwealth troops in April 1917.

Mr Francis said the local police had been marvellous: “They are extremely upset about this as well.

“We are hopeful they will be able to track these people down.”