War memorial's stolen plaques to be replaced

The names of 12 men who made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for their country could be restored to a Shropshire border village's war memorial after a fundraising appeal was launched to replace stolen plaques.

People in Broughton, near Market Drayton, have launched the fundraising push to amass the £2,000 needed to repair the war memorial, which was targeted by suspected metal thieves.

Those responsible took three bronze plaques from the memorial in St Peter's Church, Broughton, in early April.

Two of the plaques carried the names of parishioners who died in the two World Wars, while the third had details of the sacrifices they made.

Henry Butter, church warden, said villagers had been left "devastated" by the theft of part of their heritage.

But he said a determined fundraising campaign was in the pipeline to ensure the memorial could be restored to its former glory.

Mr Butter said: "The three plaques promised these people they would not be forgotten. Because we appreciate the sacrifice they made we are holding an event to raise money to replace the plaques."

He said the stolen plaques would cost about £2,000 to engrave and replace, yet those responsible could only have raised a few pounds from selling the metal on.

Locals have arranged an illustrated evening of remembrance at the Broughton Parish Room on June 11 starting at 7.30pm.

There will be war poetry readings, songs and a roll call of the memorial names. For more details call (01630) 620280.

Staffordshire Police launched an inquiry into the theft, calling the incident "callous".