Bronze plates stolen from Banff First World War memorial

An investigation is underway after 2 bronze plaques were stolen from a Banff First World War memorial.

An investigation is underway by Banff RCMP into the disappearance of two bronze plaques commemorating Ukrainians and other Europeans interned in the town during the First World War.

Members of the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Association (UCCLA) visited the site in late May, where they discovered the plaques -- one attached to a First World War statue and the second a rock -- were missing.

Additionally, the statue of an internee was damaged on its leg and foot.

The statue and plaques were first unveiled in August 1995 to pay tribute to thousands of Ukrainians and other Europeans who were interned in Banff National Park between 1914 and 1920.

“These monuments serve to commemorate and educate Canadians about this little-known chapter of our country’s history. Acts of theft and vandalism directed at these historical monuments are both cowardly and deeply distressing,” said UCCLA president Kyle Hoyda in a media release.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Banff RCMP.