In August 2014, a memorial marking the centenary of the outbreak of World War I was erected in the Rotary Club Sensory Garden in Mooragh Park, Ramsey on the Isle of Man. The memorial, called “The Cross of Crosses”, consists of a large green cross that was made up of a thousand smaller wooden crosses. Most of the small crosses were personalised by the family of Manx soldiers that fell during the war.
Sadly, this memorial, which all decent men would venerate, has been desecrated in May by vandals and the small wooden crosses were broken off and strewn around the Park. A spokesperson for the Royal British Legion said that it could take as long as a month to restore the memorial.
This senseless destruction of a memorial to the brave sons, husbands and brothers of the Manx community has caused distress to the families concerned. The Chairman of the Royal British Legion, Colin Douglas, said that those families that wish to renew their dedication once the small crosses were replaced could contact the Ramsey Branch of the Legion who would assist them.
It is hoped that the perpetrators of this senseless act will be brought to book and made to realise how much anguish their needless act of vandalism has caused. Anyone with any information can contact the Police.