Vandals have targeted a memorial in memory of a soldier who was killed in Afghanistan. The yobs chipped and scratched the tribute to Corporal Dean John, 25, in Vivian Park, Port Talbot.
They are also said to have hurled a poppy wreath but the culprits are yet to have been tracked down. His son Dylan John, 20, a drama and acting student at University of the West of England in Bristol, has spoken out about the attack.
Read more: Dad from Wales books one-way ticket to Ukrainian border to join fight against Russia
He said: “My uncle found the tribute like that. I am pretty sure someone has chipped it away and kicked a poppy wreath. There’s no cameras to prove exactly what happened but that seems to be the most likely case.
“It’s really annoying and we were all really angry when it happened.” He added: “Without actual physical evidence or video it’s difficult to know who did it.
“Given the sacrifices my father and other soldiers makes it’s horrible. It’s even worst when you can’t do anything about it.”
Corporal John was killed while he was serving with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) when he died on Sunday, March 15, 2009, after his vehicle struck a roadside bomb in Garmsir. Dean died alongside Corporal Graeme Stiff.
The Ministry of Defence said he was a happy and loveable rogue who could always be found up to his elbows in the engine compartment of any vehicle that even looked like it needed some work. “He had an enormous appetite for hard work and a tenacity that drove him to extraordinary lengths to fix problems. His inquisitive and active mind would analyse why some component had failed and seek a solution to avoid a reoccurrence,” said a Ministry of Defence spokesperson.
The conflict in Ukraine has been the focus for many in Wales you can read their stories here.
