Thieves steal willow soldier sculpture from Whitworth

Photo: Alfie Ogg

The willow soldier that has been stolen

Shameless thieves have stolen a willow sculpture of a soldier made to commemorate the First World War.

The theft, which occurred sometime Monday or Tuesday last week, has left the community angry and the veterans’ charity that created it very disappointed.

Member of Rossendale-based Veterans In Communities David Joddrell constructed the soldier and a scaled model of First World War tank on the main road between Rochdale and Whitworth at Healey Corner.

A grant from Rossendale Neighbourhood Forum paid for the materials, but the skills and hours of construction time were voluntarily donated by David, from Bacup, a former armourer in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

He said: “It must have gone sometime Wednesday night because people began posting comments on the Thursday. We have had a lot of support.

“I am not bothered that it has been stolen, I am bothered about the principle as this was created for everybody to enjoy as a community. When I was building the tank and the soldier many people stopped and complimented the work.

“Now everyone has lost out because someone has stolen it. It has not been vandalised or smashed up but deliberately uprooted which makes me think it has now been planted in someone’s back garden.

“It took me three days to make the soldier because it was harder to make than the tank. I had to get the stance right, and the gun and his back pack.

“If any body knows where it is please could they inform the police.”

Commenters have branded the theft as ‘disgraceful’ while another person commented: “They fought for us to live free, what will the thief do for his or her country?”

David, 62, was uncertain whether he would be replacing the soldier but he said he may be making something for the town’s Scarecrow Festival in June.

He added: “I find it very sad to think that the community has people in it that would do this.”

Manager of VIC Bob Elliott said: “I don’t believe this has been taken by children, they would have kicked or damaged it. This has been deliberately pulled up by the roots.
“We are very disappointed because David put a lot of hard work into creating this for the benefit of the people of Whitworth and as a poignant reminder of all those who gave their lives in the First World War.”