The Unknown Warriors

Silent Scandal

While working on this book project I noticed that in local papers throughout the UK there was regular stories tucked away in the pages of some disgusting crimes against our elderly. It is a 'silent scandal' that the generation who fought so bravely for this country are (and for many now -were) afraid to walk to the shops in the evening or even safe in their own homes. For a generation that never even locked their front doors in their youth, the level of crime and violence today and the pathetic sentences really shocks them.

Over the last twenty years many (how many?!) WW2 pensioners have been abused in the street, mugged, threatened, raped, murdered or burgled.

This list is for 2010, to see a shocking list of crimes from previous years CLICK HERE. These are just what I have came across and is by no means a comprehensive list.

FACE SLASHED - 83 year old lady attacked by knifeman in her home.Tied up, face and arms slashed with knife, puncture wounds and arm fractured, Newham, London, Aug 10 MORE HERE

THROWN TO FLOOR - 90 year old Australian lady on a visit to the UK attacked after withdrawing money from cash machine, Dartford, Kent, Aug 10 MORE HERE

MUGGING MURDER - 90 year old WW2 Normandy veteran who was a driver for General Eisenhower mugged for £40 and his bus pass in the stairwell outside his flat. Left with broken bones etc, resulting in his death, South London, Aug 10 MORE HERE

MURDERED AT SHELTERED HOUSING - 88 year old lady found in her home, murdered with terrible injuries, Sunderland, Jul 10 MORE HERE

MUGGED IN STREET - 92 year old WW2 veteran attacked from behind outside his retirement complex, Manchester, Jul 10 MORE HERE

HIT & RUN - 91 year old lady recovering from cancer surgery hit by car and left with crippling injuries. Driver and passenger got out the car but then drove off without helping or phoning 999. Gravesend, June 10 MORE HERE

STABBED TO DEATH - 87 year old widowed great grandmother murdered by burgular in her 15th floor flat in tower block, Charlton, London, MAY 10 MORE HERE

THROAT SLASHED - 85 year old WW2 Burma veteran violent death by home intruder, Dorset, May 10 MORE HERE

VIOLENTLY RAPED - 89 year old lady raped in her own house by intruder. Manchester, Apr 10 MORE HERE

GOOD FRIDAY PUNCHING - 90 year old lady attacked in her home by violent gang at Easter. Oxford, Apr 10 MORE HERE

BAG GRAB - 85 year old Scots Guard WW2 veteran and his 86 year old wife were out struggling on icy pavements, when a car pulled up and violently grabbed the ladies handbag from her shoulder. Slough, Feb 10 MORE HERE

BAG SNATCH - 86 year old lady stopped to give the time and was pushed onto the floor and her bag taken. Nelson, Lancs, Feb 10 MORE HERE

KNIFED TO DEATH - 94 year old WW2 veteran of Burma, Egypt and Borneo murdered. Repeatedly stabbed with knife by an intruder in his home. TV stolen. Borehamwood, Jan 10 MORE HERE

SEX ASSAULT - 87 year old man sexually assaulted by an intruder in his home. Oldham, Lancs, Jan 10 MORE HERE

KNOCKED TO GROUND - 95 year old ex Battle of Britain Spitfire pilot, knocked to the ground by a home intruder who stole £200, in the second raid on his home in one year. Tiverton, Devon, Jan 10 MORE HERE

NEW YEARS DAY MURDER - 88 year old lady beaten to death on her doorstep after returning from visiting family. Southend, Essex, Jan 10 MORE HERE