Memorial targeted by vandals for the second time

The memorial in Lawley Bank, Telford, which was created in memory of American pilot Second Lieutenant Clifford Jensen, has had two flags stolen from the site.

Lawley Bank and Friends Wartime Memory Group said it was the second time the area, which includes a bench, plaques and flags, in Station Road had been targeted after vandals ripped a wreath from the memorial two years ago.

Ron Munt, chairman of the group, said: "Someone has stolen the flags from it, it is not the first time it has been vandalised.

"We have got a British flag and two American flags – it's the American ones that have been stolen. They were secured to the plaque, they would have had to be wrenched off.

"I'm not sure exactly how they were secured, but they would have to be wrenched off.

"On Thursday our group member Ivor Jones went to tidy up the plaque in the morning, water the flowers and everything. They were there in the morning and then when he went back in the evening they had gone."

The plaque was set up in 2014 to remember the crash where Second Lt Jensen guided his P-47 Thunderbolt fighter aircraft away from Lawley School and Avondale while on fire.

The plane crashed on the Bull Ring at Lawley Bank on June 20 1944, killing the pilot.

Mr Jones, who discovered the latest vandalism, witnessed the crash more than 70 years ago and spent years trying to get a plaque in place.

Two years ago, a wreath that had been wired to the memorial had been ripped off, damaged and thrown into a nearby hedge. A second wreath had also been knocked over.

Mr Munt added: "Goodness knows why anyone would have done, it is vandalism.

"If they are returned that would be lovely, but no, I think we are going to have to replace them."

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting incident number 194s of May 12.