"After seeing the graves, I felt really angry and left with a hollow feeling in my stomach"
said Major Tom Wye after vandals had mindlessly destroyed war graves in Worthing.
Former mayor and ex-Army officer Major Tom Wye said he was "absolutely gutted" when he heard about the damage done overnight on Monday, January 14.
Five graves in Broadwater Cemetery belonging to Worthing men who lost their lives fighting for their country, were completely smashed beyond repair.
Major Wye, who worked his way up through the ranks in the Royal Engineers, said: "What kind of a sick individual does that?
"After seeing the graves, I felt really angry and left with a hollow feeling in my stomach.
"All these people were Worthing boys, born and bred.
"They came back after fighting for their country, probably badly wounded, and succumbed to their injuries.
"If anyone who was involved in what happened now feels appalled by their actions, they really should come forward."
The graves belonged to Private B.C. Bridger of the Royal Defence Corps, Leading Seaman A.A. Heasman of HMS Pembroke, Trooper W.H. Rhodes of the Life Guards, Private C. E. Duke of the Machine Gun Corps and Corporal R.E. Cadenaci of the Royal Fusiliers.
The Commonwealth War Commission will pay for them to be replaced but it is likely to take around 18 months.
Five Worthing businessmen have put up a £5,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for the vandalism on the war graves.
They are Michael Jones, of Michael Jones Estate Agents; Peter Mott, of the Liquid Lounge; Ashley Carter, of Lauren Lloyd Electrical; Dave Chapman of Premier Loft Conversions; and Ian Hart, of Ian Hart Funeral Services.
One of them, funeral director Ian Hart, said it was being put up because they felt it was of the utmost importance to catch those responsible
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RNA Worthing branch members
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Major Tom Wye with one of the repaired graves
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Junior Junior Branch mascot Lewis with our Tombolla...
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S/M Ron Pidd and friend...
Thanks to all those that came along and supported us and helped on the day, one of our best events this year for raising branch funds...
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And farewell to S/M Peter Jones who is emigrating to Perth, Australia to join Peter Jones jnr and family. Worthing RNA now has an Australian Ambassador as well as S/M Mike Andrews our French Ambassador...
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