by Jenni Horn

An anti-war protester who claims he defaced
the Poppy Appeal posters in Medway has written a personal apology
to the widow pictured in the advert.

Two Royal British Legion billboards in
Gillingham town centre were vandalised last week.

The slogan, For their sake; wear a Poppy was
changed to For their sake; prosecute Blair.

Now the person who claims they changed the
posters has stepped forward to apologise for their actions.

They have sent an open letter to Hester
Wright, who is featured in the advert with her son Joshua, six,
from Mansfield.

Hester’s husband Private Damian Wright was 23
when he was killed by a roadside bomb in 2007.

The letter of apology is also addressed to Pte
Wright’s mother Debbie Smalley and the Royal British Legion.

The letter said: “As the person responsible
for modifying the poppy appeal poster next to Gillingham station
(and another not far away), I’d like to apologise for any offence
caused.

“There was no intent to dishonour anyone
(Blair excluded) and I meant no disrespect to either the Royal
British Legion and its supporters, nor to the family of Damian
Wright.

"I was really shocked to hear about the upset
this has apparently caused. I’d never dreamt my efforts would lead
to the national media probing mother and widow about their feelings
on vandalism.

"Personally I don’t consider rewording the
poster to be an act of vandalism and I don’t for a moment think
that it will have adversely impacted on the fund raising efforts of
the poppy appeal.”

Despite coming forward, the protester has refused to identify
themselves.

They end the letter with: “Some commentators have said I should
be ashamed of what I did - but I am only ashamed I do not have the
courage to identify myself.

"Those who should really be ashamed are those who make a mockery
of our democracy, abuse our nation’s history, and betray the
positions of power entrusted to them.

"So, I am truly sorry for any upset caused to the family and
friends of those who appear on the posters, or to those who have
served this country, but I stand by my message.

"Let’s prosecute our corrupt politicians and bring the troops
home before Christmas. Sadly anonymous.”

• Related article: How we reported the vandalism