Silhouette figures of First World War soldiers or ‘Tommy’s’, have again been installed across the town by Watford Borough Council and Murrill Construction Ltd...
This is part of an art installation called ‘There But Not There’ run by military charity Remembered.
The campaign, which the council has been supporting since 2018, aims to respect those who died in the First World War, symbolising more than 1.1 million British and Empire service men and women who did not make it home. It also aims to educate all generations about why so many made the ultimate sacrifice, and to raise funds to help heal those suffering from the hidden wounds of war.
The sculpture depicts a ‘Tommy’ – an informal term for a soldier in the British Army – who stands thoughtfully, head bowed, rifle in hand, as he reflects upon the sheer horror of World War I as peace is declared in 1918. There is also an ‘Unknown Women in War’ statue at Gammons Lane, which is designed to help the nation commemorate and recognise the bravery and sacrifices of women in war.
In total, the council has installed 28 of the six-foot-tall sculptures in public spaces around the borough. These poignant installations which are placed across the UK, bring the people lost during the conflict off memorial walls and into physical public spaces, reminding the public of the conflict’s grave impact on communities across the country.
Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: “These silhouettes across Watford remind us of the immense sacrifices made by our servicemen and women. They serve as a powerful tribute to the bravery and resilience shown by our community during both World Wars and beyond.
“I invite all residents to join the Remembrance Service on 10 November, to honour their memory and reflect on the ongoing importance of peace.”
