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Mother's shock as memorial plaque for her son stolen in Cleckheaton (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Pauline Hickey, of East Bierley, shocked that nobody informed her of theft
9:40am Thursday 23rd June 2011 in East Bierley
By Kathie Griffiths, T&A Reporter
Pauline Hickey
A mother whose soldier son was killed by a roadside bomb six years ago has spoken of her shock at the desecration of a war memorial where he is honoured.
Pauline Hickey of East Bierley only heard about the metal plaque being stolen from Cleckheaton’s war memorial when she read an article in the Telegraph & Argus.
Her married sergeant son Christian was 30 and serving with the 1st Battalion of The Coldstream Guards when he died from his injuries in Basra.
He had been on a routine patrol in the southern Iraqi city when it happened in 2005.
Sgt Hickey had been leading at the front on foot to check a route for his patrol when he was hit by the blast.
Today, Mrs Hickey, speaking about the stolen plaque, said: “My son’s name was engraved on it.
“I find it hard to grasp no one thought to inform the families involved, and they have to find out in the media.”
She added: “For a matter of a few quid someone has stolen that plaque, probably without even thinking of the sacrifice my son and the others on it made. It is a total lack of respect.”
A spokesman for Kirklees Council said all the names on the stolen plaque would be included on a new one.
And he added: “We are working to replace the plaque as quickly as possible.
“While it is regrettable that the plaque was stolen in the first place, we will replace it at the first opportunity.”
The stolen plaque was added in 2009 after the memorial was refurbished.
It was re-dedicated that year by Major General Jonathan Shaw, Colonel Commandant of the Parachute Regiment whose grandfather, Lt Col Mowat DSO MC, first dedicated the memorial in 1922.
Sgt Hickey’s name was among those added to the memorial along with the names of other service personnel lost in conflict since 1948.
- Read the full story Thursday’s T&A
Comments(12)
Rambo
says...
10:36am Thu 23 Jun 11
Hitting Back! wrote:More like local pikeys wanting it for scrap.
This sickening act is probably down to local youths. What a bunch of idiots! Have some respect.
You say elsewhere you've recently moved to Bradford - well keep watch on here for the stories about metal thefts. Numerous memorial plaques, grills and covers from streets and businesses in Saltaire are the recent ones. Too specific to be be usual mindless vandalism.
SweetLeftFoot
says...
4:41pm Thu 23 Jun 11
John_Phіlips V
says...
6:44pm Thu 23 Jun 11
We shouldn't glorify those who take part in war.
Brer fox
says...
7:01pm Thu 23 Jun 11
John_Phіlips V wrote:Remembering those who died in the service of this country is not glorifying war or glorifying those who take part in war.
War is bad.
We shouldn't glorify those who take part in war.
What it IS however is remembering somebody who died in a conflict.
As a member of a family whose military service took in 3 generations,2 world wars and countless other military actions i find your comments utterly appalling.
John_Phіlips V
says...
7:30pm Thu 23 Jun 11
I have reported them.
.
Thank you.
John_Philips V
says...
9:46pm Thu 23 Jun 11
John_Phіlips V wrote:The above saddo needs to get a life. He's posting under the same username as myself.
I didn't make the comments you are replying to, someone is impersonating my good self.
I have reported them.
.
Thank you.
puddingandpi
says...
10:01pm Thu 23 Jun 11
John_Phіlips V
says...
10:22pm Thu 23 Jun 11
John_Philips V wrote:The truth is, this EDL/BNP chav is pretending to be me.
John_Phіlips V wrote:The above saddo needs to get a life. He's posting under the same username as myself.
I didn't make the comments you are replying to, someone is impersonating my good self.
I have reported them.
.
Thank you.
How he does it I've no idea but he is getting me a bad name with other posters.
sam-tyler
says...
10:51pm Thu 23 Jun 11
Brer fox wrote:Well said Sir.
John_Phіlips V wrote:Remembering those who died in the service of this country is not glorifying war or glorifying those who take part in war.
War is bad.
We shouldn't glorify those who take part in war.
What it IS however is remembering somebody who died in a conflict.
As a member of a family whose military service took in 3 generations,2 world wars and countless other military actions i find your comments utterly appalling.
.
Mr Philips is a prat & should be used as target practice by the British military!
BD16
says...
8:01am Fri 24 Jun 11
John_Phіlips V wrote:As opposed to you getting yourself a bad name with the usual drivel that you post.
John_Philips V wrote:The truth is, this EDL/BNP chav is pretending to be me. How he does it I've no idea but he is getting me a bad name with other posters.John_Phіlips V wrote: I didn't make the comments you are replying to, someone is impersonating my good self. I have reported them. . Thank you.The above saddo needs to get a life. He's posting under the same username as myself.
.
I agree with all of the other posters who are disgusted with this act.
John_Philips V
says...
10:42am Fri 24 Jun 11
sam-tyler wrote:I disagree entirely.
Brer fox wrote:Well said Sir.
John_Phіlips V wrote:Remembering those who died in the service of this country is not glorifying war or glorifying those who take part in war.
War is bad.
We shouldn't glorify those who take part in war.
What it IS however is remembering somebody who died in a conflict.
As a member of a family whose military service took in 3 generations,2 world wars and countless other military actions i find your comments utterly appalling.
.
Mr Philips is a prat & should be used as target practice by the British military!
Hitting Back! says...
9:57am Thu 23 Jun 11