A FORMER serviceman was disgusted by thoughtless yobs who insulted the memory of North Wales’ fallen war heroes by desecrating land near Bangor War Memorial Arch on Deiniol Road
Bangor Royal British Legion member Bill Speddy discovered that someone had defecated in bushes near the arch as he prepared to open the beloved landmark to the public on Saturday.
"If I got to know who is was, I would name and shame them. It’s a disgrace,” he said.
The arch features the names of more than 8,500 soliders, sailors and airmen who died in the Great War, and is open to the public every Saturday until Sunday, September 24.
It was opened by the Prince of Wales in 1923, after Bangor residents raised funds for its construction.
The Chronicle reported earlier this summer how thieves stole 12 ft of lead piping from the building.
“I was in Malay in 1955 fighting communist terrorists and you come home and this is what you get,” Mr Speddy said.
“They should have carried on with national service, as far as I’m concerned.”
Mayor of Bangor councillor Huw Edward Williams said that public toilets near the bus stop were less than five minutes’ walk from the arch.
“It’s hard to understand how someone could lower themselves to do something like this near the memorial, which commemorates people who gave their lives so that others could live,” he said.
“They’re like animals. It’s an insult to the memorial and a terrible thing.”
A Bangor University spokeswoman added: "The University will take the necessary action with regard to this incident and will be vigilant in its regular patrols of this and other parts of the University estate."