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.
Here are just a very small number of examples from recent years. View 2010 crime list HERE

WHEELCHAIR BOUND - 94 year old lady has her handbag taken by a drug addict while waiting for her friend to put the wheelchair in the back of the car. Oxford, Christmas 09 MORE HERE
BROKEN HIP - 91 year old lady attacked on the street by a 14 year old girl, left with fractured hip. Pinner, Middlesex, Oct 09 MORE HERE
MURDERED BY STRANGULATION - 85 year old lady, murdered by an intruder in her home who then set it alight to try and destroy evidence. Stockton, Sept 09 MORE HERE
BROKEN HIP - 85 year old lady attacked in own home. 4 teenagers commended by police for identifying attacker and helping victim. Blackburn, Aug 09 MORE HERE
MUGGED FROM BEHIND - 90 year old lady, mugged on the way to visit her husbands grave,left needing 6 stitches to her head and bruising. West Bromwich, Aug 09 MORE HERE
BEATEN ROUND THE HEAD - 85 year old WW2 Royal Navy veteran, attacked for his bag, only a few hours after scattering his wives ashes. Left bloodied and bruised. West Sussex, Aug 09 MORE HERE
BROKEN SHOULDER & RIBS - 90 year old man attacked and robbed in the street. Edinburgh, Jul 09 MORE HERE
GANG ATTACK - 89 year old lady attacked by a gang described as either Asian or Eastern European in a park. Dislocated shoulder, fractures in arm and hip. £30 and bus pass stolen. Bradford, Jun 09 MORE HERE
MURDERED - EVERY BONE IN FACE BROKEN - 85 year old widow attacked in a 'sustained and brutal' manner in her own home by intruder. Found dead days later. Hull, Jun 09 MORE HERE
FACE INJURIES & BROKEN LEG - 88 year old WW2 Wren and widow of a sailor who rose to the rank of Admiral, who had survived the sinking of SS Britannia punched hard in the face outside her home, left with broken leg, Sussex, Jun 09, MORE
KILLED IN HIT & RUN - 85 year old man left for dead by a Chinese illegal immigrant, who remains on the run a year later. Sheffield, MORE HERE
REPEATEDLY RAPED - 89 year old Lady repeatedly raped in her own home. An Angolan has been charged, Leeds, Mar 09, MORE HERE
SEXUALLY ASSAULTED - 83 year old female WWII veteran raped in her home by a workman who spiked her drink with drugs. Blackpool, Jan 09, MORE HERE
BLACK AND BLUE - 89 year old Arctic Convoy veteran viciously beaten in a home raid. Hospitalised with his 87 yr old ex ATS wife, with facial injuries and severe bruising. West Yorks, Nov 08, MORE HERE
POPPY WEARING PENSIONER - More an example of their spirit. Ex ww2 RAF (84) On Richmond High Street took on two hammer wielding balaclava robbers who were smashing the windows of a Jewellers in broad daylight. A crowd of 50 people did nothing as he grappled with them and removed a balaclava before they fled. MORE HERE & HERE
TRODDEN ON - 87 year old lady, punched in jaw, kicked in head, threatened to be killed, London, Oct 08, MORE HERE
GUNMEN RAID - 85 year old dies 48 hours after being threatened by shotgun in his own home, Thames Valley, Oct 08, MORE HERE
SEX ASSAULTS - 95 year old man and 96 year old lady latest victims of multiple attacker, believed to have carried out more than 100 crimes on the elderly over 16 years. S.E London/Kent, Oct 08, MORE HERE & HERE.
85 YEAR OLD - Attacked and beaten in her own home. Ayrshire, 17th Oct/08 MORE HERE
ZIMMER FRAME BINGO PLAYER - 87, mugged on her way home by 6ft COWARD! Kilburn, London, Oct08 MORE HERE
YORKSHIRE LADY - 87, Mugged resulting in death, Oct 08, South Yorkshire, MORE HERE
BEATEN TO A PULP - Raider punches 92 year old ex doctor in the face repeatedly. Co. Durham, Oct 08 MORE HERE
DEAD TWO DAYS LATER, after attack in own home, needing treatment from paramedics, a man in his eighties dies of 'natural causes'. Maidenhead, Oct 08 MORE HERE
BOGUS POLICEMAN - Breaks 82 year olds hip for £16, resulting in her death later in hospital. St Helens, Oct 08 MORE HERE.
BATTERED IN HOUSE RAID - 82 year old punched and threatened, home ransacked. Dumfries & Galloway, Oct 08 MORE HERE.
BEATEN UNCONCIOUS - 86 year old man knocked out in home robbery. Torquay, Oct 08 MORE HERE
DISABLED GRANDAD - (85) found shaking in wheelchair after home raided by 3 'men', Burnley, Oct 08, MORE HERE
ATTACKED FROM BEHIND - 88 year old man pounced on, stick taken then threatened with it, but stood his ground. Leytonstone, Oct 08 MORE HERE
BLIND PENSIONER - (85) dies in hospital after money taken in 'doorstep con', Birmingham, Oct 08, MORE HERE
MACHETE ATTACK - 86 year old war veteran, masked raiders place pillow over his head, deep cuts to hands trying to defend himself. Dead 2 months later. Lancashire, Sept 08, MORE HERE
WAR VETERAN - who served in Europe, India & Burma, bear hugged, throat and mouth grabbed, wallet stolen in Liverpool City Centre. Aug, 08 MORE HERE
RAPED - 88 year old lady sexually assaulted by home intruder, Accrington, Aug 08, MORE HERE
PUNCHED & KICKED - waiting for bus. 82 year old lady left with severe bruising, Kilmarnock, Aug 08, MORE HERE
SERIOUS HEAD INJURIES - and broken wrist. 82 year old lady attacked in street for pension. Rochdale, Aug 08, MORE HERE
KNIFE WIELDING INTRUDER - fought off by 88 yr old war veteran, who gave morse code signals on the beaches of Normandy, Derby, July 08, MORE HERE
ATTACKED & ROBBED - 94 year old man opens door and is pushed aside by 2 home raiders, Stoke, Jul 08, MORE HERE
ALZHEIMERS SUFFERER - (86) Pushed to floor and money stolen from her home, only one week after being targetted by conmen for £400, another 86 and one 90 also victims. Burnley, Jun 04, MORE HERE
FOUND IN POOL OF BLOOD - 89 year old ex Green Howard WW2 officer found by carer in home with severe injuries after home raid. Put on life support machine in intensive care, died 26 days later. Newcastle, May 08, MORE HERE
BURIED IN WOODLAND - 87 year old lady, 5ft5in, walked with zimmer reported missing and found later in woods after being murdered. Perthshire, May 08, MORE HERE
STABBED TO DEATH - 81 year old lady murdered at home by woman intruder, Surrey, May 08, MORE HERE
BEGGED HIM TO STOP - 92 year old lady pushed to ground injuring arm. Thief tried to take wedding ring from her and ransacked her home, Oldham, May 08, MORE HERE
COMMANDO - 85, served on Artic Convoys, Burma and Africa attacked in home, Burma Star cap badge and £700 stolen. Bristol, Mar 08, MORE HERE
TREATED BY PARAMEDICS - 89 year old lady pinned down in a raid on her home by two 'men', Nuneaton, Mar 08, MORE HERE
92 YEAR OLD - lady assaulted by 2 'men' in raid on her home. Hampshire, Dec 07, MORE HERE
STRUCK IN FACE - 82 yr old lady attacked in her home for bank PIN number, died a day later. Prestatyn, Nov 07, MORE HERE
BLINDED ON TRAM - 96 year old war veteran, attacked on bus and left blind in one eye, Croydon, Oct 07, MORE HERE
PUSHED INTO CANAL - 83yr old ex signaller Royal Navy, while fishing by 3 youths. Broke both legs and may not walk again, Merseyside, Sept 07, MORE HERE
HELD AT KNIFEPOINT - 83 year old lady awoke to find intruder by her bed. Punched in the head, manhandled and left with severe bruising. Wedding ring from her late husband taken, Newham, London, Jul 07, MORE HERE
DOUBLE ATTACK - By Balaclava wearing thief within a week one on a 91yr old the other on a 93 yr old, both left bruised and in shock. ESSEX, Jul 07, MORE HERE
FOUND IN SUITCASE - in farmfield. Burnt body of 94 yr old lady who had fled Germany in 1939. Murdered by cleaner for money. Strangled and beaten. London, Jul 07, MORE HERE
RELENTLESS HARRASSMENT - Breeze blocks through window, Nazi Swatstikas sprayed on the house of 85 yr old D-Day sailor, Sheffield, June 07, MORE HERE
FOUND IN CUPBOARD - Pensioner attacked with 22in meat skewer and later dies of his wounds, Birmingham, June 07, MORE HERE
WHEELCHAIR BOUND - 83 year old lady with eye cataracts smashed in the face with a chair on a day out, Southport, May 07, MORE HERE
D-DAY HERO - 89, ex Royal Engineer sapper, attacked at home while caring for his wife who has Alzheimers, Head injuries and severe bruising, Notts, Feb 07, MORE HERE
100 YEAR OLD - WW2 veteran fights off 3 cowardly muggers, cuts to head and bruised ribs, London, Feb 07 MORE HERE
PARTIALLY DEAF WAR VETERAN - 92, Hit with vase from behind in home attack, then with his own walking stick, Oldham, Dec 06, MORE HERE
DOUBLE RAID - War veteran (87) dies shortly after two attacks in the space of a fortnight. Lincolnshire, Dec 06, MORE HERE
HOME GUARD - veteran (83) threatened that he would be shot in an attack on his home, County Armargh, Nov 06, MORE HERE
GLASSES REMOVED - made to sit on toilet, man in late eighties has house ransacked by two 'men'. Oxford, Apr 06, MORE HERE
BLOOD ALL OVER THE PAVEMENT - 82 year old lady attacked in broad daylight from behind. Thrown on floor. Glasses smashed & severe cut to the eye. Bradford, Apr 06,
MORE HERE
KICKED TO THE GROUND - Ex-Marine (84), survivor of D-Day Landings mugged of his blazer, medal, cigars and loose change. Bristol, Mar 06, MORE HERE
DESERT RAT - 95, murder enquiry after being pinned down by gang in his own home, resulting in death. Norfolk, Jan 06, MORE HERE & HERE
PARTIALLY SIGHTED - hard of hearing 85 yr old man mugged for £8, dislocated shoulder and cuts. Died in hospital 3 weeks later, London, Dec 05, MORE HERE
SAVAGE MURDER - 90 year old lady attacked in a home raid and died of head injuries later in hospital, Wrexham, Sept 05, MORE HERE
STABBED 14 TIMES - 84 yr old lady knifed to death in her own home. London, Mar 05, MORE HERE
KNEED IN THE BACK - grabbed around the throat, 93 year old lady attacked at cashpoint machine, Dorset, Jan 05, MORE HERE
CHRISTMAS EVE MURDER - 93 year old lady repeatedly stabbed in her hallway by attacker who then stole £70. Glasgow, Dec 04, MORE HERE
COVERED IN BLOOD - 82 yr old lady punched and kicked in the face in her home and died 10 days later, London, Oct 04, MORE HERE
DIED OF INJURIES - 89 year old lady dies of injuries 11 days later in hospital after being savagely beaten in her own home by intruder, Birmingham, Oct 04, MORE HERE
SERIOUS SEXUAL ASSAULT - on 81 year old lady with senile dementia, Reading, Jun 04, MORE HERE
DEATH FROM INJURIES - 82 year old lady attacked in the street, left with fractured leg and shoulder, died later in hospital. London, Apr 04, MORE HERE
INDECENT ASSAULT - On 81 yr old lady in her own home and 87 yr old husband attacked, Dorset, Apr 04, MORE HERE
LOCKED IN - 80 yr old lady assaulted and left with severe bruising and swelling, then locked in her home by the intruder. Bolton, Jan 04, MORE HERE
MERCHANT NAVY - veteran (81) with two walking sticks repels home attacker, treated for shock by Paramedics, Oxfordshire, Dec 03, MORE HERE
POPPY SELLER - Normandy veteran attacked with hammer while out selling poppies, suffering wounds to his head and arms. Aylesbury, Nov 03, MORE HERE
DEAD ON ARRIVAL - 85 year old man stabbed by two burgulars in his bedroom. Died in the ambulance taking him to hospital, Devon, Aug 03, MORE HERE
90 YEAR OLD - collapses with trauma and dies after confronting a conman who came into her home and took money, Essex, Jul 03, MORE HERE
STABBED TO DEATH - 78 year old man body found murdered with knife wounds, Lancashire, Jul 03 MORE HERE
84 YEAR OLD - Sexually assaulted in broad daylight, while walking down a street, Crewe, Jul 03, MORE HERE
KILLED BY SMOTHERING - Intruders switched off electricity then the 91 year old lady was tied up and beaten with a duster forced in mouth and pillowcase over her head. Found by carers dead lying on her bed. Ayrshire, Jul03, MORE HERE
MURDERED - 82 year old lady punched in face and kicked by two 'men' who preyed on elderly victims. Fought back with stick. Died a few days later in hospital, Mar 03, London, MORE HERE
KILLED - 83 yr old Grandma mugged in street by two robbers (who carried out another 16 attacks in one month) and died in hospital of head injuries. London, Feb 03, MORE HERE 
REIGN OF TERROR - WW2 war veteran with lung cancer- slit throat and stabbed in chest, died later in hospital. 10 other attacks on elderly for pension including an 85 year old man pushed to floor, lady (85) broken hip and dislocated shoulder and lady (82) stabbed in the hand. London, Dec02-Feb03, MORE HERE
BEATEN TO DEATH - 92 year old lady found with multiple rib fractures, blows to the face, head and neck, a ruptured liver and a broken larynx, London, Jan 03, MORE HERE
KILLED FOR £13 - 85 year old devout Christian and ex midwife died of head injuries after mugging. London, Dec 02, MORE HERE & HERE
RAPED & MURDERED - 4ft11in 87 year lady killed by intruder that had already attacked her once before in her home a year earlier, Mansfield, Sept 02, MORE HERE
KEPT ON DOG LEASH - 84 year old lady found in care home tied to chair by a dog leash. Grimsby, Oct 2002, MORE HERE
HEART REMOVED - blood drank and body sexually assaulted, 90 year old lady horrifically murdered by intruder in her own home, North Wales, Aug 02, MORE HERE
HIT & RUN - (82) WW2 veteran, aide of General Eisenhower run over and left to die, London, May 2002, MORE HERE
GREAT GRANDMOTHER - Left with dislocated shoulder, three dislocated fingers, a broken wrist, a cracked bone in her right arm and four stitches to a head wound after street gang attack. A dozen other cases including 86 yr old lady who suffered a dislocated shoulder, Salford, May 02, MORE HERE
DIED PROTECTING WIFE - Wheelchair bound 84 year old man died protecting wife,(83) from home attackers, beat around head and collapsed. Wolverhampton, May 02, MORE HERE
DOUBLE MURDER - 88 year old lady strangled and stabbed in the neck on her farm. A friend, 82 year old man stabbed and slashed 18 times in the farmhouse. Llangollen, May 02, MORE HERE
KILLED FOR £2 FISH SUPPER - Partially sighted OAP attacked by 2 muggers, died later in hospital from her injuries- broken ribs, broken arm etc. Newcastle, Apr 02, MORE HERE
FRAIL 88 YR OLD - Mugged for her shopping bag. Broken cheekbone, arm, fractured nose and broken ribs - died 3 days later in hospital, London, Jan 02, MORE HERE
KILLED WITH CARVING KNIFE - Pensioner killed in her home by intruder. Stabbed at least 5 times to the stomach and chest, Suffolk, Dec 01, MORE HERE & HERE
D-DAY VETERAN BEATEN - Facial Injuries and fractured cheekbone,Oldham, May 01, MORE HERE
TAUNTED TO DEATH - REME War veteran after months of harrasment from local yobs brandishes an air pistol. Arrested. Hung himself on day of his court appearance. Aldershot, May 01, MORE HERE
HOME INTRUDER - stabs pensioner to death in her sheltered housing flat. Poole, Jul 00, MORE HERE
KICKED TO DEATH - 87 year old lady in her home by 2 young female attackers from the same block of flats. London, Feb 00, MORE HERE
ASPHYIXIATED - 88 year old lady bound with her own shoelaces and smothered to death with cushions by 2 home intruders, Bognor Regis, Dec 98, MORE HERE
PUSHED TO THE FLOOR - 8th Army WW2 veteran attacked in his home for his wallet, Lancashire, Nov 97, MORE HERE
STRANGLED & BEATEN TO DEATH - 84 year old man murdered during an attack on his home, invaders stole his licensed guns that he used to hunt with. Ramsgate, Nov 96 MORE HERE
MURDERED AT HOME - Severe blow to the head with a blunt instrument, OAP lady burgled at home. Died in hospital 10 days later. Suffolk, Feb 93, MORE HERE