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Crawley Veterans Demand Restoration of Removed WW1 Memorial Mural

Crawley Borough Council defends its decision to replace the mural with a blank wall, citing disrepair and lack of permission, while veterans push for its reinstatement.

Overview

  • The WW1 centenary mural in Tilgate Park, painted in 2018, was removed by Crawley Borough Council in February 2025, leaving a blank wall.
  • The council justified the removal by claiming the mural was created without permission and had deteriorated beyond restoration.
  • Veterans, led by Denise Reekie, argue the mural was a vital local tribute listing all Crawley WW1 casualties and were not consulted before its removal.
  • Evidence from a 2018 council-operated Facebook post appears to show support for the mural’s creation, contradicting claims of no permission.
  • The council has pledged to work with groups on a modern replacement, but veterans and residents are campaigning for the original mural’s reinstatement.