Shrouds of the Somme

[kiloran]

I'm sure you all remember the monumental sea of poppies at the Tower of London in 2014 https://worldwarzoogardener1939.wordpre ... -pictures/ 888,246 ceramic red poppies, each intended to represent one British or Colonial serviceman killed in the War

The Shrouds of the Somme represents the 72,396 British Commonwealth serviceman killed at the Somme with no known grave. All the work of one artist.
Like the poppies, the sheer numbers of the shrouded figures is simply boggling. 72,396 is a big number, but seeing them all laid out is really thought-provoking.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-46125068

--kiloran

[CommissarJones]

Here is a related set of photos, courtesy of The Atlantic, of various preparations for the centenary.

https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2018/ ... -i/575224/

[cavebat]

I can't remember now if it was the first time they were laid out, but they were on College Green here in Bristol about two years ago, somewhere I walk past everyday on my way into work.

They are, of course, tiny (think Action Man size), but the sheer number is just shocking and really thought provoking. I couldn't walk past without tears welling up.

This is on tomorrow night:

https://bristol-cathedral.co.uk/whats-o ... -soldier-1

cavebat

[bungeejumper]

There was a feature on the BBC West news programme a few days ago. And yes, this artist (from Bristol) made the shrouds and hand-wrapped every single one himself. (Tied with, I think, three ribbons each.) It took him three solid years to complete this task.

The first exhibition, in Bristol in July 2016, was to commemorate the British dead on the first day of the Somme, 1st July 2016 . (19,240, according to the BBC, and around 38,000 wounded). This one, for 72,396 without known graves, was a bigger undertaking!

Both my grandfathers got shot during WWI, although both of them recovered and both were sent back to the front. One was then gassed, which caused a progressive lung disease that eventually killed him 18 years later. I have few words to say how proud I am of both of them. And how very humbled.

BJ

[bungeejumper]

More extraordinary sculptural work at Slimbridge, normally better known for its wildfowl sanctuary.

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/n ... es-2204437

The TV footage of this last night was properly chilling, and very moving. Would love to see it again if anyone's got a link.

BJ

[Rhyd6]

My father joined up aged 16 and was wounded on the Somme, like others he was sent back to the front when he recovered. After the second war we used to go on holiday to France and travel to Etaples where there is a large war cemetery. He used to park mum and I in a cafe and go to chat to his comrades who didn't make it.

R6