The widow of a war veteran has been left devastated after his memorial bench was daubed with graffiti just days before Remembrance Day. 

The "mindless" act of vandalism was reported to Cambridgeshire Police on Wednesday, November 6, at around 10.52am. 

The Cherry Hill Park bench has since been cleaned and repainted after an overwhelming community response to the incident. 

Mary Neal told the Ely Standard she found it "too hard" to look view images of the vandalism, which she described as "upsetting" and "disrespectful".

Ms Neal donated the bench to The Royal British Legion in 2021 to reflect the support provided to her late husband Roy, who died in 2018. 

The bench was found daubed with graffiti and racist terms - including the 'n' word - on Wednesday. The bench was found daubed with graffiti and racist terms - including the 'n' word - on Wednesday. (Image: Facebook) She said: "I was very upset when I heard it had been vandalised, especially as it is so close to Remembrance Sunday.

"I found it very hard to even look at the photos of the vandalism to start with as it was just too upsetting and disrespectful.

"I donated the bench in memory of Roy, as I thought a seat would benefit the community, of all ages, and to express my gratitude to the Royal British Legion for all the support they offered Roy and myself.

"They have given us so much support when we really needed it. They helped us when Roy was involved in a lorry accident in 1982 and couldn't work, and they supported me during Roy's funeral and took part in it.

Mary Neal donated the bench to The Royal British Legion in memory of her husband Roy in 2021.Mary Neal donated the bench to The Royal British Legion in memory of her husband Roy in 2021. (Image: Supplied) She said: "I don't understand how anyone could be so disrespectful to all of the people who have laid down their lives for us and to those who continue to serve to protect us."

Ms Neal said a number of members of her family served in the military, with her father serving in the Essex Regiment and the Observer Corp in the Second World War. 

Her late husband Roy served in the Royal Artillery as a gunner while completing National Service in the 1950s. 

Ms Neal added that while she was disappointed that the memorial had been damaged, the community's response was "overwhelming".

Roy served in the Royal Artillery as a gunner while completing National Service in the 1950s. Roy served in the Royal Artillery as a gunner while completing National Service in the 1950s.  (Image: Supplied) She said: "I understand that there is not always much for young people to do because there are so many restrictions on services.

"This does not mean I condone what they did and I am still upset by what has happened but I feel that there really should be more available to the younger generation to teach them respect for others.

"I would like to express how touched I was by the community spirit and all the offers of help with cleaning the bench.

"The generosity of strangers has helped me to come to terms with what has happened and restored my faith in community."

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