The desecration of a WWII veteran Raymond Bedford's grave has left his family "devastated", grandson John Fleming says.
Cemeteries from Thames to South Waikato have been targeted by thieves in the weeks leading up to Anzac Day, and 16 bronze plaques from Hamilton Park Cemetery have also been stolen.
Mr Fleming said his mother was cleaning up the grave at Omahu Cemetery on Sunday when she found his plaque missing, a ceramic bowl for flowers smashed and the entire headstone loosened from its base.
"My mother's just absolutely devastated about everything," he said.
"It took my mother probably another two days before she could really speak to anyone - it still upsets me now, talking about it."
Mr Fleming said the grave would cost $440 to repair.