I’m a war hero – veterans need to stand up against disrespectful vandalism of memorials
ONE of Britain’s most decorated war heroes says veterans must take a stand against protesters who desecrate war memorials.
Trevor Coult received the Military Cross — the third highest military honour — for single-handedly fighting off a suicide bomb and gunmen ambush in Iraq in 2005.
But following weeks of Pro-Palestinian marches, he says vets cannot just sit by and watch rogue activists vandalise Cenotaphs and hang flags over names of our war dead.
Speaking to The Sun, Trevor called on ex-servicemen and women to sign petitions, lobby MPs and get on TV radio to defend the legacy of Britain’s fallen heroes.
Have you got a story? Get in touch: exclusive@the-sun.co.uk
The 48-year-old added: “Veterans must now fight for what their fallen brothers and sisters died for.”
Poppy wreaths have been trashed and provocative signs left on memorials during Israel-Hamas war demos.
On Monday, thugs graffitied ‘Free Palestine’ on Rochdale’s Cenotaph in Greater Manchester and Poppy wreaths were also damaged.
The council said the incident was “totally unacceptable” and monuments in the town “are incredibly important and should be respected by everyone at all times”.
But protesters have run amok and gone unchallenged because Britain’s legal system is “so broken”, Trevor suggests.
He added: “Our values are so tainted that we allow these people to use the freedoms granted to them by veterans to throw it back in their faces.”
The ex-Royal Irish infantryman said it is now time to “say no more nonsense” and veterans must “stand up for themselves”.
But Trevor – who served ten operational tours in Afghanistan, Iraq and Northern Ireland – insisted this must be done without violence of any kind.
Around 1.46million people have laid down their lives for Britain in conflicts since World War I.
It comes as pressure is mounting on the Metropolitan Police to crack down on protests following four consecutive weekends of marches in London.
The force has now urged organisers to “reconsider” a fifth scheduled march this Saturday, set to begin two hours after Britain pauses at 11am to remember the war dead.
Met chief Sir Mark Rowley has admitted he is powerless to ban the protest, saying the buck stopped at Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: “The risk of violence and disorder linked to breakaway groups is growing.
“This is of concern ahead of a significant and busy weekend in the capital.
“Our message to organisers is clear: Please, we ask you to urgently reconsider. It is not appropriate to hold any protests in London this weekend.”
Organisers say the march will avoid the Cenotaph, instead running from Hyde Park and ending at the US Embassy in Battersea.
There will be no march on Remembrance Sunday when veterans march past the Cenotaph on Whitehall to pay their respects.
Since October 6, more than 160 demonstrators have been arrested for a range of offences, including racially motivated public offences, violence and assaulting police officers