Jarrow youth group devastated after mural made in tribute to First World War zeppelin raid victims is vandalised with graffiti

The mural remembering the 18 people who lost their lives in the raid in 1915 was created by Central Jarrow Detached Youth Project (CJDYP), and unveiled in 2018 as part of the commemorations to remember the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Now the young people involved have been left devastated after graffiti was daubed over the mural, which is painted in an underpass in Hill Park Estate.

The group has vowed to repair the mural and continue paying tribute to those who lost their lives.

Warren Clarke, youth development officer at CJDYP, said: “It was so disappointing to see what happened. We see a lot of graffiti in the area but this is the first time it’s been done over something the group all worked so hard to create.

“It’s very disrespectful to the people who died. But the whole group is keen to repair the mural as quickly as possible and continue to pay tribute to them.”

After discovering the graffiti, Warren reported the incident to South Tyneside Council, which cleaned up the vandalism, leaving space for the young people of CJYDP to repair the mural.

Members of CJDYP said they have been overwhelmed by the amount of support they have received since word of the vandalism got round.

In normal times, the CJDYP runs a church-based Saturday group and delivers outreach work in central Jarrow.

During the pandemic, is has been offering vital online services to support young people through the crisis.

The First World War zeppelin raid on Jarrow and Hebburn took place on June 15, 1915 during a planned attack on the Tyne.

The German zeppelin L.10 dropped bombs on Hebburn Colliery, the Ordnance Works football field, and Blackett Street, before approaching the Jarrow shipyards.

Word of the attack had not reached the shipyard and all lights were still shining, making them an easy target, and it took the brunt of the attack.

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