Vandals have taken a grinder to the Prisoner of War Memorial on Scenic Hill

The Ex-Prisoner of War Memorial commemorates the heroism and deeds of doctors and nurses while imprisoned by the Japanese during World War II.

It was erected through the efforts of former prisoners of the Japanese, most of whom are now deceased.

Lithgow RSL sub-branch secretary Michael Cuthbert was alerted to the vandalism on Friday, May 21.

"They would've had to bring the grinder in the car so they thought and planned on doing this," he said.

"It is bloody disgusting, these vandals clearly have no idea of respect to go and do something like this."

Mr Cuthbert's uncle was a Prisoner of War and lost his life fighting for the freedom of Australia.

"World War II has touched many families in one way or another and the sacrifices the military personnel made is still fresh for many," he said.

"This denigrates the memories of those that served."

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While the Lithgow RSL-Sub branch doesn't have control over the site of the memorial since it is in Council's hands, they are 'rightly concerned and upset about the damage'.

"It just isn't right," Mr Cuthbert said.

Councillor Stephen Lesslie said he was notified about the damage and is extremely disappointed with what has happened.

"Why do these vandals feel they have the right to do this for three minutes of gratification, how can you feel so superior to not even think of the feelings of families who lost members," he said.

"Why people consider themselves superior to other people has always baffled me, what pleasure do you get out of this?"

Cr Lesslie said this was the first time in 60 years the memorial had been vandalised in this way.

In 2012 vandals attacked the memorial, leaving their graffiti scrawl on all four sides of the structure and on the entrance wall near the Chifley Road.

"The sacrifices of those concerned are still real but those younger think it has just faded in history," Cr Lesslie said.

Mr Cuthbert said you just have to look at the plaque in Queen Elizabeth Park that show the names of Prisoners of War that were killed.

"There are over 500 just from here alone," he said.

Mr Cuthbert said the Lithgow RSL Sub-branch were pushing for stronger punishments for those that defame memorials, including 2-3 years imprisonment and a $30,000 fine.

Cr Lesslie said people who normally see this kind of vandalism are aware it isn't right and normally say something to someone.

Mr Cuthbert believes the vandalism had to have happened after ANZAC Day, and said he would have to talk to Hardrock Memorials to see what can be done to fix the damage.

"The might be able to polish some of it out but some is very deep and could be up to $10,000 worth of damage since pink granite isn't cheap," he said.

"It's a lot of work involved, so we will look at putting in a grant application to get it fixed."

When asked what he would say to people who did it, Mr Cuthbert said that probably shouldn't go on the record.

"It's not something I can probably say, but if anybody knows who did it please come forward, we would like to teach them the error of their ways and get them charged by police for destruction of a war memorial," he said.

Mr Cuthbert said these servicemen and women are part of our culture, country and history.

"We are only living how we do now because of the deeds they did in the past, and these people paid the ultimate sacrifice, they deserve to be respected," he said.

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