Graves damage deplored

Press, 26 November 1981, Page 25

Graves damage deplored

By KEN COATES in London Damage and defilement of war graves through vandalism is causing increasing concern to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, of which New Zealand is a member. In its latest annual report the commission deplores “the sheer viciousness” of attacks on headstones in particular because they are easily broken. A common form of defilement is the use of aerosol sprays and felt-tip pens to

scrawl slogans on stonework, according to the commission. It says suitable solvents have been found for the removal of most forms of aerosol paint, but cleaning the markings left by felt-tip pens is much more difficult. “The keeping of cemetery registers and visitors’ books at some sites is also becoming difficult, and regrettably much of this damage is being done by children.” Where there is persistent mutilation of the books, they are locked up securely near

the cemetery, with notices posted informing visitors where they may be consulted. The commission’s report contains photographs of vandalism in a French cemetery with broken headstones, and graffiti on a cemetery wall at Cesena, Italy. “Much effort and ingenuity are devoted to trying to counter vandalism and we have not been entirely unsuccessful, but the problem causes increasing concern,” the commission says.