War Memorial damaged by mysterious fireworks - suspected link to theft at Momentum Combined Technologies

Despite Chief Fire Officer Thompson’s request that the fire ban be respected in the Jennings Memorial Reserve, there has been considerable damage to the war memorial after fireworks were set off  in the vicinity on November 5th. Scorch marks have covered many of the names of the fallen, which many residents have described as a disgrace.

The authorities are, however, most worried about the nature of the fireworks involved. An eyewitness says that he saw strange a strange, persistent glow around the area, as well as a deep thudding. Officer Andrew Flemming has stressed that anyone found experimenting with dangerous chemicals will be dealt with harshly.

A spokesman for Momentum Combined Technologies has come forward and mentioned a series of thefts at the laboratory, however they believed that the chemicals stolen could not have caused the effects mentioned. It had been suspected that those stealing the chemicals were employees of the company, which is why it had not been mentioned publicly until now. “We will co-operate fully with the police on this matter,” said the spokesman. “We have always had a good relationship with Rutherford and we intend for that to remain the case.”

The War Memorial itself is still intact , although many of the fine carvings are almost completely ruined. The garden around the memorial has been completely obliterated, and there is also extensive damage to the men’s toilets nearby.

It just goes to show that young people today have no respect for this town’s past,” said town historian Meredith Jones yesterday. “It’s especially galling since we lost so many brave young men in both the world wars...young men no older than those who no doubt caused the damage.” Meredith Jones refused to be drawn on who the suspected culprits might be.  However,it was hinted that the Jones family would be happy to pay for the restoration in its entirety.

Others have not been so coy: blame has been placed squarely at the feet of Mack Thompson, who currently occupies the position of caretaker at the Memorial Reserve. Both Mack and Chief Fire Officer Thompson have strenuously denied these allegations, claiming that others in the town are attacking the Thompson family for political reasons.