Vandals attack town's new war memorial

A town's new war memorial was vandalised only days before Armistice Day.

The vandals went to considerable effort to smash a sturdy glass panel on one of the information plates that make up the memorial at Caroline Bay in Timaru last weekend.

The memorial, built after fundraising in the town, was unveiled only a few days earlier by New Zealand Army chief Major-General Rhys Jones.

It details the feats of New Zealanders in World War I, including those of the 11 recipients of the Victoria Cross.

"It really is a kick in the guts for the vets," said South Canterbury RSA general manager Don McCully.

"They will feel very hurt by it and so they should.

"It's another mindless act of vandalism that we could have done without. It just goes to show that there are some people out there who have no respect for anyone or anything."

The vandalism came days before Armistice Day on Wednesday, commemorating the end of hostilities in World War I.

Police have not been able to identify who was responsible.

Mr McCully said there was talk it could be skateboarders seen near the memorial, but no one really knew.

"It may just be a one-off. We hope it is a one-off."

The chairman of the committee behind the $135,000 memorial project, Mark Hervey, said it appeared to be an act of wanton destruction rather than political.

"Somewhere, somebody will know who they are, and I hope the perpetrators will be brought to account."