Carshalton's plundered war memorial will be repaired in time for Remembrance Day, thanks to a local craftsman who read about last week's cruel stone theft in the Sutton Guardian.

Thieves ripped up 34 square metres of the valuable York stone from around the cenotaph at Carshalton Ponds on October 9 and 10, making off with most of it and leaving several of the heavy slabs piled up beside the holes.

The outlook was bleak for a repair in time for Remembrance Day, because quality reclaimed York stone is difficult to find and new slabs would look out of place on the 80-year-old memorial.

Veterans honouring the fallen on November 11 were expected to have to lay their wreaths on the broken ruins of the memorial base.

But now Carshalton stonemason Toby Moore, who read about the theft in the Sutton Guardian, has come forward offering free labour and a top supplier who can provide the correct York stone at cost price by the end of the week.

Married father-of-one Mr Moore, 36, who works for Croydon-based stonemasons Stonewest, said: "It was just so shocking. I see the parade every year down here with their flags. The procurement of this stone is something I deal with day in, day out. I just felt compelled to do something."

The stone is being sent from a supplier in Derbyshire whose father is a war veteran who will march on Remembrance Day, Mr Moore said.

The cost of the stone will be £1,750 instead of the usual charge of £4,000 and Stonewest will provide free labour and transport.

Maura Collyer, technical manager for the council's parks service, said: "This is the kind of thing that restores your faith in people. We've also had another contractor who cancelled his half-term schedule to offer his help. After an act of vandalism like this, people's kindness helps to put it in perspective."

Lead Councillor for the environment, Colin Hall, joined Mr Moore and Stonewest managing director John Rushworth at the memorial to look at the damage and measure up the quantity of stone required.

Coun Hall said: "It is fantastic that Toby and Stonewest have come forward to save the day. Remembrance Day is such an important time and it is very sad this has happened."

  • A 22-year-old man was arrested at the war memorial on October 10. He has not been charged but was released on bail pending inquiries.