Poignant tribute to fallen soldiers

Provost Jean Jones and Councillor David Cullen unveil the first Tommy statue

The ‘Tommy’ statues show an outline of a soldier with the rifle and helmet as they would have looked in the trenches.

The statues form part of the ‘There But Not There’ campaign which aims to raise awareness with people across the UK and beyond of the sacrifice shown by more than 800,000 British and Commonwealth troops who died in the conflict.

The first statue has been unveiled outside Motherwell Civic Centre and another eight statues will be installed in Airdrie, Bellshill, Coatbridge, Cumbernauld, Motherwell, Kilsyth, Shotts and Wishaw town centres over the next few weeks.

All of the permanent memorials will be installed ahead of Remembrance Sunday on November 11.

North Lanarkshire provost Jean Jones unveiled the first statue with Armed Forces Champion Councillor David Cullen.

She said: “This is a really striking memorial which I’m sure the people of North Lanarkshire will feel proud to have in their town centres.

“We are delighted to support this national campaign which will help ensure people remember the centenary of the end of the First World War and the sacrifices of those who gave their lives for our country.”

To learn more about the ‘There But Not There’ campaign visit www.therebutnotthere.org.uk.