Vandalised Brisbane war memorial restored

A war memorial desecrated by religious vandals at a Brisbane cemetery has been restored ahead of Anzac Day.

The Cross of Sacrifice was damaged in early March by zealots who removed a sword from the monument, which has stood since 1924, and reshaped it into a garden hoe.

Brisbane City Council (BCC) are seeking reimbursement from the alleged offenders after local blacksmiths worked to restore the sword to its original design.

Two men, aged 61 and 30, were charged with wilful damage over the defacing at Toowong Cemetery.

The pair, who belong to the Brisbane Catholic Workers group, detailed their actions on social media and claimed the representation of the sword on the cross was blasphemous.

The restoration, which commemorates the fallen soldiers of World War I will be unveiled on Thursday.