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The widow of a war hero who helped save hundreds of Jews from the Holocaust has blasted swastika vandals in Angus.

Caroline Monro, whose husband Joseph died aged 89 in 2013, said the recent swastika attacks on Brechin Cathedral were an insult to her late husband’s memory.

She spoke out as police continue the hunt for vandals who scratched swastikas and other graffiti on the stonework of the oldest building in the burgh.

Mrs Monro, 72, said: “My husband fought with his comrades against fascism and the Nazis to give freedom to the future generations.

“He would be hurt – as many veterans in the city are – to see our young people resort to this disgusting behaviour.

“I am personally insulted that they would stoop so low and do this hateful thing. This is repulsive and out of order.

“Those who did this should be punished and named and shamed. The swastika attacks are an insult to Joe’s memory.

“I’m just relieved that my hero husband didn’t see this in his lifetime.”

Mr Munro was a highly decorated veteran of the D-Day Normandy Landings who received 13 medals.

He was also part of a special forces unit which went behind enemy lines to rescue 253 Jews from a concentration camp in Germany during the Holocaust.

Mr Munro received a medal from the Government of Israel for his heroism.

“Are these young people being taught in schools about the war in Europe?” said Mrs Monro.

“Are they being taught to show some respect to the fallen? This has to stop now.

“This is not a misdemeanour – it is criminal.”

She said more police patrols were needed in Brechin to combat anti-social behaviour.

Mr Monro, who was born in Brechin, received the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 for bravery.

He also received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013 shortly before his death.

He was also honoured by the French Government and the French Armed Forces for his heroics whilst carrying out special operations in France during the Second World War.

Brechin Cathedral is still reeling this week after suffering two vandalism attacks from youngsters within 48 hours.

Vandals scratched a hate-filled, anti-religious message on the walls of the historic structure in the wake of a previous day’s swastika attack.

Brechin owes its origins to the medieval cathedral, which is the oldest building in the burgh, and the Celtic monastery which preceded it.