Details about  WW1 Bronze Memorial Statue in Reversed Arms "Lest We Forget"

“Lest We Forget”.

The Great War caused great upheaval. It lasted too long; too many men were killed or maimed. Women had taken men's jobs; their contribution helped them to win the vote. The Government refused to bring bodies home; the rich tried to bring bodies back, the poor couldn't, so none were allowed to be returned. But neither could the poor visit foreign cemeteries. People overcome bereavement by burying their dead, which now was denied to everybody.

The erection of Memorials was a Government inspired initiative which offered something to focus on. Their 1923 Act allowed local authorities to levy a small rate towards costs and maintenance, a power they still hold. But locals decided for themselves what form their memorial would take.

The Memorials became surrogate tombstones which people could visit and pay their respects; the unveiling ceremonies became substitute funeral services.

Not all Memorials are in the open. In those impoverished times, some people erected Memorials to serve the living: hospitals, village halls, playing fields. Other choices were church furnishings, birdbaths, rolls of honour, boats, plaques, annuities, libraries, clocks, houses, gardens - the variety is astonishing!

Names on War Memorials is not an exact science. Those who moved away, or wanted to get on with life, or hoped their men would return, didn't offer names for inclusion on memorials. Others had the name in several places,- parish church, chapel, school, place of work, club, or they made an individual dedication such as a seat by the sea.

Those with immediate knowledge of those named on World War Memorials are themselves passing into history. War Memorials are evolving into another role - that of reminding us of what happens when the world goes to war.

Their message for us today is

“Lest We Forget”.

This is an impressive (14.5 inches high) bronze cold cast Memorial to the Fallen the detailing of which is outstanding, consisting of a World War One Soldier in service uniform in the reversed arms position (a classical pose of many memorials) with his Lee Enfield rifle resting on his left toecap with the right foot forming a “T” behind the left foot. (This is often missed by sculptors on war memorials). You can even see the boot laces and grain of the webbing. He is wearing his full webbing order of the period with his “tin hat” slung on his back, he is wearing a GS cap and putties.

He is standing on a Stone Cairn or plinth with a plaque on the face “LEST WE FORGET”, with a poppy wreath on the two side faces “IN REMEMBRANCE” & “THE GREAT WAR”. On the other side a panel with

1914 – 1918

   Mons-Marne-Arras-Ypres-Gallipoli-Loos-Somme-Kut-Vimy Ridge-Passchendaele-Messines-Cambrai-Amiens

Some of the battles in which the British Empires soldiers fought and died during the Great War.

The figure can face with either the plaque or Lest We Forget to the front.

Cold cast bronze, is the figure  coated with bronze and back filled with resin. This system is over one hundred years old and gives a finer finish. Carefully cold cast and hand finished, this detailed Bronze Statue comes in two (2) parts the base and the statue together with a pack of epoxy resin and hardener to fix the two parts together. Apply the mixed resin to the opening in the base and fit the statue into the base, leave for an hour or so till it hardens.

We do this because the base is much heavier than the statue and for ease of posting. The base of each piece is covered in felt to protect your furniture. Each sculpture is carefully packed to arrive safely, so please do contact us straight away in the unlikely event that you are not fully satisfied.

This is your opportunity to buy a quality piece of symbolic British Military figure of the Great World War period direct from the creator - if you buy more than one sculpture then postage is a maximum of £30 - check my other items for sale.

Payment by paypal, postal order or cheque (posted on payment clearing.)