First World War service men and women will be remembered this November through Silent Soldier silhouettes which will be placed around Southampton to mark the centenary of the end of WW1 in 1918 – including by Riverside Park and at Portswood Rec.
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This from the council in their own words
Seventeen 1.6m tall cast iron figures will appear in all sixteen of the city wards and at the Cenotaph memorial.
The 1.1 million British and Empire service members who gave their lives, and those who returned home, will be commemorated with these near life size silhouettes. Southampton City Council is one of many local authorities who have made a donation for the statues to the Royal British Legion, who have created the figures as part of their Silent Soldier Campaign as a 'Thank You' to the First World War generation who served, sacrificed, rebuilt and changed the nation.
In addition to the iconic image of a 'Tommy', there will be RAF, Commonwealth and Suffragette Silhouettes, representing members of all of the armed forces communities. The figures will appear in the following locations:
The Cenotaph / Tommy
Bargate Ward - South side of The Bargate Monument / Tommy
Bassett Ward - By War Memorial on Bassett Avenue / Tommy
Bevois Ward - Rockstone Place Park / Commonwealth
Bitterne Ward - St Christopher's Church, Pepys Avenue, Thornhill / Tommy
Bitterne Park Ward - Riverside Park entrance by Cobden Bridge / Tommy
Coxford Ward - Lordshill Library / Tommy
Freemantle Ward - Shirley Road, near St Marks CE Primary School / Tommy
Harefield Ward - Bitterne Library / RAF
Millbrook Ward - Blighmont Army Reserve Centre / Tommy
Peartree Ward - By benches on top of the hill on Bitterne Road / RAF
Portswood Ward - Portswood Recreational Ground / Suffragette
Redbridge Ward - Mansel Park, by Mansel Park Pavilion, Evenlode Road / Suffragette
Shirley Ward - Southampton Old Cemetery, by Titanic Bench, nr The Cross of Sacrifice / Suffragette
Sholing Ward - Sholing Green, Off Kathleen Road / Tommy
Swaythling Ward - Daisy Dip entrance, Bluebell Road / Suffragette
Woolston Ward - Millennium Gardens, Bridge Road / RAF
Leader of Southampton City Council and Woolston Ward Councillor, Christopher Hammond said: “Having these iconic Royal British Legion silhouettes of World War One service personnel is a city wide visual reminder of the human sacrifice that was made.
“We’re proud to support their ‘Thank You’ campaign, and to remember all of those who were involved in the war effort.”
Armed Forces champion at Southampton City Council and Redbridge ward Councillor, Catherine McEwing said: “These figures are a striking way of commemorating the end of World War 1, one hundred years ago.
“Southampton City Council looks after the needs of over 245,000 residents, many of whom are current or ex-service personnel. It's essential we also recognise and support them, and their families, for their service. We're proud members of the Armed Forces Covenant, and we're encouraging other businesses and organisations to sign up.”