Memorial of 1514 Hawick skirmish targeted by vandals for second time in less than two years

A monument marking a key moment in Hawick’s history has been targeted by vandals for the second time in less than two years.
The damage caused to the Hornshole monument in 2018.The damage caused to the Hornshole monument in 2018.
The damage caused to the Hornshole monument in 2018.

The Hornshole monument, one of the sites featured in the town’s annual common riding celebrations, was first damaged by an air rifle attack in June 2018, and now it has been targeted again, airgun pellets having been fired at the sandstone structure.

The memorial stone was rebuilt in 2014 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of a skirmish, often referred to as a battle, between youths from the town and an English raiding party, resulting in the capture of the invaders’ flag.

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Hawick and Denholm councillor Stuart Marshall, a former chairman of the town’s common riding committee, believes townsfolk will be shocked and saddened that the monument has been targeted again.

He said: “I am absolutely sickened to hear that our monument at Hornshole has once again been targeted by vandals.

“It appears to be airgun pellets that have been struck into the sandstone and, like many townsfolk, I am sickened by this latest incident.

“It is quite disturbing to know that we have within our community a few mindless individuals who clearly have no respect for our sacred monuments or, indeed, what they symbolise.

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“This is the fourth time in two years that I know of where monuments in the town have been vandalised.

“Last year, our Boer War memorial was targeted and the year before that it was our cenotaph in Wilton Lodge Park, where a wreath was burned.”

Mr Marshall has paid a site visit to the monument with the police, and an investigation is now under way.

He added: “It seems so strange, so coincidental, that it looks like another air pellet attack.

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“This monument was paid for in 2014 by the Hawick Ex-Cornets and Hawick Ex-Acting Fathers’ Association, and it was to replace the old monument.

“Everybody in Hawick is so proud of this monument, but there is clearly some people out there, or an individual, that seems to be wanting to take pot shots at it.

“I have no idea what the motive would be, but what I would say is that Police Scotland are aware and are going to investigate this latest incident.

“I’d certainly ask anyone with information to contact Police Scotland.”