Post by ChrisDoak on May 9, 2009 3:45:16 GMT -6
Those attending the Gathering in Lochaber this summer,and hoping to take in some of the historical sites associated with the Clan Cameron,will be disappointed to find that the Memorial to the Camerons of Fassifern,in the Kilmallie Kirkyard,was badly damaged by drunken neds last year.
At the Fort William Sherrif Court three weeks ago (as reported by the Oban Times,who described the monument as being "treasured by the Cameron diaspora throughout the world"),Sherrif Douglas Small branded a group of youths,who caused £14,000 of damage,as "yobs".
Sean Hugh Kane Hutton,aged 17,of 10 Douglas Place,Fort William,and Donald Alec Stewart,also 17,of 18 Westford,Alness,admitted damaging the railings around the memorial.The Court heard that Hutton and Stewart were among a group of teenagers who were drinking at the memorial.For no reason,Hutton started kicking the iron railings at the side of the monument,shoulder charged some of them,knocked them over,and broke the railings.In all,eleven railings were broken,with four supporting stone blocks pulled away.
Sherrif Small said:"These are just yobs.This is an extremely serious offence which shows a complete disregard for any feelings that may be attached to the monument,and is completely anti-social.You have caused a considerable amount of damage through wanton vandalism.There is very little that I can do by way of compensation,because you won't be able to pay it back."
Stewart and Hutton were both placed on Probation for one year,and ordered to perform 180 hours of Community Service.
At the Fort William Sherrif Court three weeks ago (as reported by the Oban Times,who described the monument as being "treasured by the Cameron diaspora throughout the world"),Sherrif Douglas Small branded a group of youths,who caused £14,000 of damage,as "yobs".
Sean Hugh Kane Hutton,aged 17,of 10 Douglas Place,Fort William,and Donald Alec Stewart,also 17,of 18 Westford,Alness,admitted damaging the railings around the memorial.The Court heard that Hutton and Stewart were among a group of teenagers who were drinking at the memorial.For no reason,Hutton started kicking the iron railings at the side of the monument,shoulder charged some of them,knocked them over,and broke the railings.In all,eleven railings were broken,with four supporting stone blocks pulled away.
Sherrif Small said:"These are just yobs.This is an extremely serious offence which shows a complete disregard for any feelings that may be attached to the monument,and is completely anti-social.You have caused a considerable amount of damage through wanton vandalism.There is very little that I can do by way of compensation,because you won't be able to pay it back."
Stewart and Hutton were both placed on Probation for one year,and ordered to perform 180 hours of Community Service.
It was the Australians 1st major action in France and the total casualties were close to 5000-about half of our Ist Division who went into action. A few weeks later another 8000 died in and around Pozieres over a six week period- a very warm welcome to France. By comparison we had lost another 8000 at Gallipoli Turkey in eight months of fighting in 1915. Another 40,000 were to die in France during the next two years from a population of only 4 million.
