Sculpture of British Tommy reflecting upon the horrors of World War One during the first minute after peace was declared installed for centenary
A war-weary Tommy sits thoughtfully, head bowed, rifle in hand, as he reflects upon the sheer horror of World War One during the first minute after peace was declared in 1918.
This imposing metal sculpture, entitled 1101, owing to the fact the armistice went into effect at 11am on November 11, 1918, stands 9ft 5ins tall and weighs 1.2 tonnes.
Built out of special corteen steel, it has been installed on Seaham seafront in Country Durham to mark the centenary of the start of the Great War and will remain in place for three months.
Created by local artist Ray Lonsdale, the sculpture is also intended to represent Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which many of the returning soldiers endured. Mr Lonsdale got his idea for the piece after hearing a story about a soldier from nearby Murton who won a war medal.
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Tribute: This sculpture of a World War One soldier reflecting on the war just a minute after peace was declared will be in place for three months on Seaham seafront in County Durham
Weary: The sculpture, which is the work of local artist Ray Lonsdale, is also intended to represent Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which many of the returning soldiers endured
The sculpture, which is made from corteen steel, is situated on the seafront near the Terrace Green cenotaph
A poem by artist Ray Lonsdale is inscribed on the side of the sculpture. It is entitled 1101, owing to the fact the armistice went into effect at 11am on November 11, 1918
The sculpture depicts a weary British Tommy, rifle in hand, sitting down with his head bowed as he reflects on the war moments after peace was declared
Curious locals gather round the recently installed sculpture on Seaham seafront
Lest we forget: The artist's idea was also sparked by a story told about a soldier from Murton who won a war medal
A man takes a close-up photograph of the imposing metal sculpture. The artist got his idea for the piece after hearing a story about a soldier from nearby Murton who won a war medal
Tribute: This imposing metal sculpture, entitled 1101, owing to the fact the armistice went into effect at 11am on November 11, 1918, stands 9ft 5ins tall and weighs 1.2 tonnes
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Why there for only three months? What a fantastic ...
by Susie 926