The spot where a plaque was stolen. Photo: Supplied / Invercargill City Council
The boss of a Southland RSA is not pulling his punches, after thieves stole burial plaques off soldiers' graves at an Invercargill cemetery.
Police believe they were stolen from the St Johns Cemetery sometime between 28 October and 22 November.
The brass plates marked the graves of World War One and Two veterans, and those who served in the Korean War.
St Johns Cemetery. Photo: Supplied / Invercargill City Council
Awarua RSA president Ian Becker told Checkpoint he was gutted by the theft, which he said showed a complete lack of respect.
"All they're interested in is getting their grubby little hands on some easy cash, but I think they might finding they're now holding onto a wasp's nest and somebody, somewhere, is going to tell us who it was."
Becker said he had done a bit of digging since the plaques was stolen and had found out one of them belonged to "one of their own".
"It belonged to Rose Hinchey, who was born in Bluff, her father was a mayor of Bluff, and she attended Bluff school.
"She trained as a nurse in Invercargill... and joined the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service from 1937 to 1949, serving during the Second World War. Then she was in the Queen Alexandra Royal Army nursing core 1949 to 1965 and served in Korea."
One of the missing plaques. Photo: Supplied / Invercargill City Council
Hinchey's plaque was one of nine that has been stolen.
"I just feel gutted that some person just felt they had a bigger, a stronger need to take away somebody's identity.
"She's a real person and she's one of ours."
Becker said the brass plaques are issued by Veterans Affairs, and recorded the persons rank, regimental number and the conflict they were involved in.
"It's the last official recognition that they gave up their youth for the service of their country."
He said he had been in touch with Veterans Affairs to see if all nine plaques can be replaced.
Becker said the whole affair has made him both upset and angry.
"Why would you steal someone's identity?"
St Johns Cemetery Photo: Supplied / Invercargill City Council
He said he was aware of similar thefts that have occurred previously in other parts of the country, and believed the thieves were looking to make some money off the plaques.
Becker was now appealing to them to drop the plaques back.
"Anywhere, even if it's a service station, a milk bar, just hand it back. It's no good to you, It's no good to anyone else. Give it back so we can reinstate the person, give them back their identity and give them back the ability to sleep peacefully.
Acting area prevention manager Inspector Mel Robertson said Invercargill Police were investigating the theft of a number of burial plaques from grave sites at St Johns Cemetery.
She said several of the stolen plaques were taken from the graves of Returned Service personnel who served in the First and Second World Wars, making this a particularly distressing crime for families and the wider community.
She urged anyone with information regarding the stolen plaques to contact Police via 105 and quote event number 251125/6603.
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