Widow's shock at missing memorial

A plaque on display in a Midland town to remember those who gave their lives in war has gone missing, sparking fears it could have been swiped as part of the metal theft craze.

The widow of one of the town's war veterans was shocked when she found that the brass plaque which was embedded in the ground near Bewdley bridge had gone. The plaque was put on display next to a sweet gum tree that was planted to commemorate the 50th anniversary of VJ Day. Bewdley's then mayor Tony Rhoden planted the tree in 1996.

The widow of one of the men who attended the planting, Beryl Arnold, said: 'My husband Ray Arnold was one of the only prisoners of war in the Second Wold War to come from Bewdley.

"He was in the air force and was in Singapore when he was captured.

"He was at the ceremony when the plaque was put in so I'm upset it has gone missing."

Mrs Arnold said she had not contacted police but informed the town council as well as her local councillor.

She added: "I thought the police have got enough to do, so I rang the town clerk as I want something done about it."

Wribbenhall district councillor Arthur Buckley said: "I thought it was a real shame when Mrs Arnold contacted me.

"It was made out of brass we believe and it could well have been stolen.

"If we can't get it back I want to see how we can get it replaced and will be speaking to the town council."

The town council said they had been informed about the missing plaque and were investigating whether it had been removed or possibly stolen.

War veterans were invited to watch the ceremony at Wribbenhall's riverside gardens when the plaque was first planted in the ground.

The then town clerk David Flack said Bewdley Town Council members had decide to plant the sweet gum but had to wait for the right season.

Metal thefts have been sweeping the region as a bizarre selection of items have been swiped to cash in on the booming price of metal, including drain covers and lead from roofs.