A CARPENTER, who was shocked to hear that grave-side memorials to an old friend had been ransacked, has come to the aid of his pals distraught family.

When Doug Tushaw read about how callous thieves had stolen a vase and flowers, as well as a personalised poem, from the burial plot at Parndon Wood Crematorium, Harlow, alarms bells immediately started ringing.

For he recognised the name of the late Bob Veal, whose grave it was.

A quick search through the telephone directory and Mr Tushaw was speaking to Brenda Veal, of Stoney Common the widow of his dear friend, Bob, with whom he had shared many happy teenage years.

Mr Tushaw, 65, of Latton Green, said: I immediately recognised the name of Bob Veal and realised it could be the same Bob I used to cycle with in the Herts and Essex Cycling Club when we were both about 16 years-old.

I was really upset for his family and shocked and disgusted that these people could do such a nasty thing.

He added: I looked through the telephone directory and contacted his wife Brenda and we had a long

chat. I offered to carve the poem in wood.

Retired Mr Tushaw, a part-time carpenter for the Harlow Playhouse, is now busy carving out his own personal tribute to his cycling pal who died from leukaemia last March. He recalled: We were both members of the cycling club up until I left the army at the age of about

20 when we both drifted into different clubs.

I hadnt seen anything of Bob for donkeys years and when I read the article I thought There can't be many Bob Veals about. I was really sad when I discovered it was my old friend.

Mrs Veal, 60, who told of her familys anguish in the Citizen in February, was delighted to hear from her late husbands old friend.

She said: "It was a lovely surprise to hear from Douggie. I met him years ago but hadnt seen him for a long while.

When I told the family what he wanted to do they were really taken aback, its a wonderful gesture and tribute to Bob.

She added: Douggie and Bob go back many years when they used to go racing together. I've still got

some photos of the two of them together."

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