Friday 11 November 2016

The Eleventh Hour of The Eleventh Day of The Eleventh Month.


This spectacular display of model soldiers in shrouds was lined up outside College Green, near Bristol Cathedral today and will be there for several days.
A Somerset artist, Rob Heard, modelled these soldiers individually meaning that each one is unique and then he hand wrapped them in silk shrouds. This took him two years to complete.
Just under 20,000 men were ticked from a list of soldier conscripts and volunteers who fell on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, World War 1.

It is mind blowing to think this number of men were slaughtered on the first day of the Somme. Many more would follow.

We must never forget the great sacrifice that was made then and in all the wars since, so that you and I could have our freedom.

A very humbling thought.



11 comments:

Marie Smith said...

The artist was so dedicated to have completed this wonderful project! We will remember them.

Jackie said...

We will never forget our veterans....

Cathy said...

A great memorial to a terrible day in The Great War
Reminded me of the terracotta soldiers - not the same obviously - but a similar recognition.

Cathy @ Still Waters

Eddie said...

We shall not forget them and such slaughter was uneccessary and entirely due to our very bad generals. I have been studying this battle and it seems that our artillery was using the wrong shells to break the barbed wire after no man's land. Our men were told to walk towards the enemy slowly and in a straight line and were mowed down by waiting machine guns. They had to carry heavy kit which slowed them down. Poor lads and what a waste.

Celia said...

Terrible day, great project. Thanks for the photos.

Gosia said...

NEVER AGAIN WAR

mrsnesbitt said...

I am always moved by the way people show their empathy towards such a tragic time of remembrance xxx

ADDY said...

The soldiers in shrouds certainly brings it home to you more than poppies do about just how many were killed in one day. I think WW1 had more deaths than any war before or since. Just wish we could learn from our mistakes instead of repeating them.

Shammickite said...

I saw this installation reported in the newspaper and I was intrigued. I am so glad you posted about it. What an amazing piece of work, to make all those soldiers and then the shrouds too. I hope that my little grandchildren will never have to face a war. Remembrance Day is so important.

Rose said...

That is an amazing display, and it certainly makes you stop and think more than a display of poppies or flags would. Veterans were honored here, too, on November 11. It was particuarly timely this year coming just a few days after our election; I think we all needed something to make us pause and reflect--gratitude for those who have preserved our freedom is one thing we can all agree on.

Satta King said...

mujhe aarzoo e sehr rahi
yunhi raat bhar bari daer tak
na bikhar saka na simat saka
yunhi raat bhar bari daer tak
tha bohat azaab aur akele hum
shab e gham b meri taweel tak
rahii zindagi bhi saraab aur
rahi aankh tar bari daer tak...
yahan har taraf hai ajab samaa
sabhi khud pasand sabhi khud numa
dil e be-qaraar ko na mil sakaa
koi chaaraa ghar bari daer tak
mujhe zindagi hai azeeztar
isi waaste mere hum-safar
mujhe qatra qatra pila zehr
jo kare asar bari dair tak satta king
play bazaar

play bazaar
play bazaar