Yobs targeted the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders well at Loch Thom, near The Cut, which was built in 1915 and only restored a month ago to mark the centenary of the First World War.

They ripped one of the benches from the ground while commemorative wreaths were thrown in the water.

Crosses bearing poppies were pulled from the ground and scattered and plant pots were kicked over, while the decorative WW1 black metal bench was damaged and an attempt made to vandalise the 100-year-old well.

The famous Argylls crest was stolen during the twisted rampage.

It is understood the attack happened late last Thursday night or early on Friday morning and it has left veterans sickened.

Jim Coyle, pictured, from the Greenock Argylls branch, said: “I’m actually ashamed to say I’m a Greenockian.

“It saddens me to think people from my own town or outlying areas could come and desecrate this.

“All of this was done for the benefit of the public, from the Argylls, as a way of giving something back.

“It wasn’t put there for the Argylls to make a statement — it was for ramblers to drink from the well and stop off to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

“We have branches worldwide and I’m dreading what kind of picture this paints for us and for Greenock.

“This is not opportunistic, it’s orchestrated.” Tele reader Deborah Woods, from Greenock, was out walking her dog when she discovered the damaged site.

She says it left her thoroughly disgusted.

Deborah said: “I was up walking my dog and saw it had been vandalised.

“It’s disgraceful — I was quite upset by it.

“An article about the restoration was only in the Tele a few weeks ago.” Inverclyde Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Gerry Dorrian, today slammed the appalling act of vandalism.

Mr Dorrian said: “I am absolutely and utterly disgusted that someone could do such an abhorrent thing.

“This is a desecration of the memories of all of the people who fought for this country in wars.

“It is also an insult to everything that the Argylls Association did and the great effort they went to in establishing this memorial.” Cllr Dorrian added: “Benches have been toppled over and plant pots tipped up too.

“I have been in touch with the council’s estate officers with a view to having the damage inspected and cleaned up.

“It is important that this place is restored to what it should be as quickly as possible.

“This mindless destruction is an outrage.” The recent restoration was made possible thanks to the Argylls and kind donations from the public and businesses, including B&Q in Port Glasgow, who gifted the wooden bench.

Mr Coyle said: “They smashed up the bench which B&Q kindly donated to us and they have done damage to the WW1 bench — they’ve hit it with something, maybe a brick.

“The work on this well was carried out by veterans who served right through from Korea to Afghanistan.

“We did it because we wanted to give the public something and remember the anniversary of the opening of the well.” But Jim has vowed not to be defeated by the yobs.

He said: “Whatever damage they have done won’t break the resolve of the Greenock Argylls.

“We will restore it and put it back to its former glory once again.” Police are investigating the incident and anyone with information about who is responsible should call officers on 101 or make contact with Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.