Poppy appeal display in leafy English town targeted in shameful attack

The shopkeeper, from Wokingham in Berkshire, placed a number of replica war medals at the front of the store.

A community fundraiser has since been set up to help cover the costs and Thames Valley Police have filed the investigation pending further information.

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Campbell arranges a display to commemorate fallen soldiers every year.

He does so to partially honour his grandfather Kenneth William Campbell.

Campbell’s grandfather fought during the First World War and was shot going over the top of trenches on the Western Front.

He said: "People have come in and said they're angry about it and upset because they can't see it now because of the plastic film over it."

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Campbell added: "We've still got the original German machine gun bullet.

"He said he was one of the lucky ones because he just went over the top.

"He got 150 yards in searing pain and went straight down and then everybody was crying out because they were just laying out there, luckily someone dragged him back eventually."

Wokingham Poppy Appeal chief David Dunham launched the fundraising page to help cover the costs of the damage.

He explained: "Somebody doing that, it's an insult to his grandfather and to all the other veterans.

"Money raised will help him pay for his window so he doesn't have to raise insurance premiums by making a claim."

Additional funds raised by the appeal will go to the Royal British Legion.

The page raised a total of £1,245 as of this morning.

Thames Valley Police said: "We received reports of criminal damage on Demark Street, Wokingham.

"An investigation has been carried out and has since been filed pending further information coming to light."