A FALKLANDS veteran has told of his upset after a remembrance pebble he hand-painted for Weymouth's cenotaph went missing.
It is one of two large symbolic stones that have been removed from the war memorial on Weymouth seafront, with a second engraved by the Weymouth and Portland Veterans Hub also missing.
Veteran David Wolstencroft of Weymouth painted the pebble last year after picking it up from Weymouth beach.
He wrote 'we shall not forget' on it and painted it with poppies and crosses to honour members of the armed forces who have died in the line of duty.
It remained at the cenotaph for more than a year - with Mr Wolstencroft giving it a touch-up in time for Remembrance Day on November 12 in 2023.
However, he was dismayed upon visiting the cenotaph a few days before the parade that the pebble was missing.
Mr Wolstencroft joined the Royal Artillery in 1977 and served in Northern Ireland and the Falklands.
He said: "Sadly and disrespectfully the pebble went missing and has not been returned.
"They are not small, so it has got to be one of two things, either someone took a liking to it and took it or threw it into the water.
"The pebble took a bit of work. it was my own design and is all painted with acrylic and varnished.
"As a veteran myself it is kind of upsetting. I could paint it again but it is the principle, especially with what it commemorates."
The pebble was joined on the cenotaph by several others, most of which are still in place.
"It is not the kind of thing you expect to go missing," added Mr Wolstencroft.
"It would be nice if this flashes somebody's memories and it might be returned."
Veterans Hub Founder Andy Price said: "If something has been taken it is incredibly disappointing. It is disrespectful to take anything from the cenotaph."
Weymouth is host to one of the biggest remembrance services in the county, with thousands attending every year.
This year it took place in Weymouth on November 12.
Cadets and youth divisions of the armed services gathered next to the war memorial along the Esplanade with Weymouth Mayor Cllr Kate Wheller, and representatives from the armed forces, local associations and organisations paying their respects and laying wreaths.
Read more: Weymouth Remembrance Day service and parade in pictures
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