A POIGNANT reminder of local heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War has been installed close to a Lutterworth war memorial.
Harborough District Council has installed the striking metal figure next to the War Memorial at the junction of Church Street and George Street.
The sculpture depicts a ‘Tommy’ – a soldier in the British Army – who stands thoughtfully, head bowed, rifle in hand, as he reflects upon the horror of war as peace is declared in 1918.
It follows the installation of new energy-efficient lights at the memorial, provided by the district council through funding contributed by developers.
Dick Stilgoe, Chairman of the Lutterworth and District branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “This memorial garden means everything to the RBL and the people of Lutterworth, and this silhouette is a welcome addition.”
Harborough District Council leader Coun Neil Bannister said: “We must always remember the great sacrifices made during the War and this ‘there but not there’ silhouette is a moving legacy.”
Lutterworth Mayor Brian Poulter added: “In this centenary year, it is important to have a new symbol so the younger generation can be reminded of what happened and the effect it had on the generation at that time.”
Identical silhouettes have been installed in Broughton Astley and Market Harborough, next to their respective war memorials, as part of the council’s 100 year anniversary commemorations marking the end of the First World War.
The war lasted from July 1914 to November 1918. More than 70 million military personnel were mobilised and over nine million combatants and seven million civilians died.
The council is also commemorating the anniversary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act which gave women the right to vote.
Other plans, as part of the commemorations, include naming streets after those who fought in the war or women who fought for the right to vote, and an art installation.
