Vandalised Silent Sailor memorial restored after residents rally round

A SILENT Sailor which had its head snapped off by vandals has now been restored to its former glory thanks to a local garage and a member of Christchurch’s Men’s Shed.

The metal silhouette, erected on the recreation ground off Barrack Road last year to commemorate the end of the First World War in 1918, has been repaired and is back in place.

After it was vandalised in July, Penton Motors stepped in to say they would help with putting the tribute back in one piece after its head was found dumped in flower beds near the Fountain roundabout.

But according to the local branch of the Royal Naval Association the repairs proved difficult due to the materials used to make the silhouette.

Bob Mackinnon from the Men’s Shed then came to the rescue and managed to help restore the Silent Sailor.

A spokesperson for the Christchurch branch of the RNA said they were “delighted” that the Silent Sailor was once more paying tribute to the fallen of the First World War.

They said: “He suffered at the hands of vandals some weeks ago. Not only RNA members but also members of the public were dismayed when the Sailor was decapitated.

“Bob came to the rescue and, being known as a man who can repair anything, achieved what we had begun to think was impossible.

"The RNA is very grateful for all the help offered and the messages received expressing disgust that anyone should be so disrespectful of a memorial to the armed forces who fought to protect us and our country.”

When the memorial was attacked In July, Rick Squibb, chairman of the Christchurch RNA branch, described the vandalism at as “gutting and disrespectful”.

He placed a notice on the decapitated memorial stating: “For your tomorrow, they gave their today. We will remember them.

“Your mindless vandalism will not deter us from remembering those who gave so much for your freedom.”