A SYMBOL of remembrance was damaged ahead of the weekend in a Wrexham village - for the second year in a row.

Residents of Gresford were dismayed and disgusted to find, on Thursday, November 2, that their 'Tommy' – a striking silhouette of a WWI soldier - had been vandalised. 

The figure was erected by Gresford Community Council as a symbol of remembrance ahead of Remembrance Sunday.  

This is the second time in a row this has happened, as another Tommy was similarly attacked just last year. 

The current silhouette destroyed this month was a new replacement, which has only recently been put in place. 

The soldier's head was removed during the act of vandalism.

Councillor Andrea Ellis, who is a local Royal British Legion organiser, said: “It’s not often I’m disappointed by the village I live in, but today is one of those days."

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Cllr Ellis added: "Whoever did this should be ashamed of themselves. Absolutely disgusting behaviour!

“We’ve reported the incident using 101. It’s really important that everyone reports things to the police so that they can gather the data which will enable them to take action.”  

Fellow residents were eager to make it very clear that this behaviour was not representative of Gresford.

Jan Jones, chair of Gresford Community Council, added: "This is a wonderful place to live and work. I feel quite sorry for the individuals who did this; they must have no self-respect if they need to carry out cowardly acts like this in order to feel important. It’s pitiful really.  

The Leader: PICTURE by Gresford Community Council shows how the Tommy silhouette in Gresford now looks after damage.

“This act shows a complete lack of understanding of what the Tommy represents."

Despite the disappointment of the damage caused, Gresford's Remembrance Parade and service went ahead as planned on Sunday, November 12.