A memorial artwork of 1,475 silhouettes which represent each of the servicemen killed on D-Day under British Command has gone on display at Stowe Gardens in Buckinghamshire. It will be on show until Remembrance Day on November 11. Photo: National Trust, Hugh Mothersole.
One veteran's thoughts after visiting the memorial artwork For Your Tomorrow at Stowe Gardens ahead of Remembrance Day on November 11.
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IT STANDS solemnly, silently… a memorial artwork of 1,475 silhouettes representing each of the 1,475 service personnel killed on D-Day under British command.
Since Stowe Gardens launched For Your Tomorrow on October 1, 30,000 people have visited the artwork. Visitors have travelled from as far away as Jersey specifically to see the installation and the busiest day so far has been October 13 when 4,000 people visited in one day and cars were parked the length of Stowe Avenue.
The installation of 1,475 silhouettes of military personnel commemorates the soldiers, sailors and airmen under British Command killed in the D-Day landing 80 years ago in 1944. This is the first time the full installation of 1,475 servicemen has been displayed in the UK.
Also on display at Stowe are two figures of nurses who died while helping to save 75 men from a sinking hospital ship. 50 French resistance fighter silhouettes are placed in the woodland alongside the footpath that circles the valley.
For Your Tomorrow – the People’s Tribute was created by community artist Dan Barton of Standing with Giants and each of the life-sized figures was made by the charity’s volunteers. The full installation weighs more than 30 tonnes and took two weeks to install in the Grecian Valley at Stowe Gardens with the help of more than 200 volunteers.
Every day, Stowe has been welcoming veterans displaying their medals who visit the installation to reflect and pay their respects in the Memorial Garden.
“Standing with Giants’ For Your Tomorrow is intensely emotional, breathtakingly powerful and poignantly beautiful,” said one. “I was not expecting the weight of emotion I felt until I was standing amongst the figures, each with their head bowed.
“I had an overwhelming need to touch them to let them know they were not alone.
“But what really got to me were the last letters home displayed on the boards amongst them. The first one I read had me in tears, clearly written from a recent conflict. It hit home hard.
“I have stood silently at too many ceremonies honouring the fallen on their last journey home and the memories came flooding back. Never were the words ‘For Your Tomorrow’ more apt. It is a remarkable tribute.”
Tanya Brittain, general manager of the National Trust gardens at Stowe Garden, said: “It is an honour to be chosen as the UK location for this memorial exhibition, For Your Tomorrow – the People’s Tribute. On the lead-up to Remembrance Day it is an opportunity for people to remember family, friends and colleagues lost in conflicts over the decades.
“Stowe has a rich military history, and the stunning backdrop of the Grecian Valley provides an ideal setting for this poignant outdoor art installation.”
To facilitate visitors, the Stowe team has introduced additional parking close to the installation and is running a Land Train from the entrance to the garden to the Grecian Valley.
Photo: National Trust, Hugh Mothersole.
Twilight events
Tickets are now on sale for twilight events to enable visitors to experience the exhibition at dusk, complimented by atmospheric lighting, searchlights and music. Twilight events must be booked as ticket numbers are limited and run until 3 November inclusive. Admission prices: £20 Adult | £10 Child.
Armistice Day
The installation at Stowe Gardens runs until November 11. At 11am that day, Stowe School staff and students will gather in the Grecian Valley for a short service of remembrance led by the School Chaplain.
An exhortation will be read by Tanya Brittain and the Last Post will be played by a student from Stowe School. Every one of the 1,475 figures will have a person by its side for this service. Visitors are welcome to join the outdoor service.
Find out more at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stowe-gardens
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