Mark Sutton with graffiti on the war memorial Picture Ref: 77170-41A MEMORIAL to Swindon soldiers who died in both world wars has been desecrated by vandals.

Radnor Street Cemetery, off Clifton Street in Old Town is the final resting place for dozens of ordinary men who met their fate on the battlefields of Europe.

Following a call from the Evening Advertiser, Swindon Council agreed to start repair work yesterday.

A stone chapel and a Cross of Sacrifice a memorial in honour to the men who died were both daubed in graffiti.

And it wasn't just the war dead that were targeted.

Debris from civilian gravestones has also been found beneath the damaged cross, which was donated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Local author and historian, Mark Sutton, of Drove Road, noticed the desecration.

The 42-year-old, whose specialist area is Swindon's involvement in both wars, was carrying out research for his new book, Tell Them Of Us.

He said: "I was shocked when I saw what these louts had done to our memorial.

"The vandalism seems to have been done very recently certainly within the last couple of days.

"When I got home I was speechless I couldn't believe what I had just seen.

"There were marble chippings from the cross all over the pathway. It looks like the gravestones were deliberately broken-up so they could be thrown at the memorial.

"People had scrawled their initials all over it and there was even what looked to be a noughts and crosses board scratched in to the stonework."

According to Mr Sutton, 86 soldiers from World War One and 24 soldiers from the 1939-1945 conflict are buried in the cemetery.

The war graves themselves are still intact.

Mr Sutton said: "This is a lovely place perfect to remember the ultimate sacrifice that these people made.

"I despair for the future of Swindon and I am not an 80-year-old ex-serviceman but a simple 42-year-old man who has teenage kids.

"My family and I have lived without the effects of war because of the sacrifice these men made.

"Since I have started my research I have become increasingly proud to call myself a Swindonian.

"I just wish I could speak to these idiots and ask them why."

Aubrey Shepherd, secretary of the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry Regimental Association, said he is dismayed that people could stoop so low.

The local regiment now part of The Royal Yeomanry and The Royal Wessex Yeomanry has a proud tradition dating back to 1794.

Many of its troops died fighting for democracy, said the retired Major, who served in the regiment between 1956 and 1992.

"I am absolutely disgusted," he said. "Why do people have to do this sort of thing?

"Quite a few of our members go visit the cemetery."

Kevin Shoesmith