Stunning sculpture unveiled to celebrate brave soldiers of First World War

A celebrated statue to commemorate the lives of soldiers who perished in the Battle of the Somme in the First World War is now in Blackburn.

The Every Man Remembered statue was unveiled outside Blackburn Town Hall and will be in place until July 11.

The band of The King’s Division played drew a crowd as they played a selection of pop classics and WW1 favourites at a free lunchtime concert during the statue’s debut.

Every Man Remembered has already been to Trafalgar Square and Cardiff city centre and promotes the Royal British Legion’s campaign which urges the public to pay personal tributes to the 1.1million Commonwealth servicemen and women who died during the 1914 to 1918 conflict.

Councillor Mohammed Khan, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:

It is a great honour to welcome this sculpture to the borough. It is a vital reminder of the great sacrifices made by servicemen and women in this war and all conflicts, and makes sure we remember them. I hope people will take a little time to visit this amazing sculpture.”

The striking structure by artist Paul Humphrey is based on the Unknown Soldier and stands on a block of limestone from the Somme area of France, where the bloodiest battle of the Great War saw almost 800,000 Allied combatants lose their lives.

This included 235 from the 724-strong 11th Battalion of the East Lancs Regiment, better known as the Accrington Pals, with a further 350 seriously injured.

Stephen Barnett, Assistant Director of Operations North, said:

In the years which mark the Centenary of the conflict which gave birth to the poppy as a symbol of Remembrance and hope, the Legion’s role remains as contemporary and as vital as it has ever been, upholding the memory of the fallen and supporting the future of the living.

As the national custodian of Remembrance, we hope the sculpture will act as a focal point for modern day remembrance during these centenary years.”

The band of The King’s Division played a selection of WW1 favourites at a free lunchtime concert in the Square at 1pm.

For more information on the Royal British Legion’s Every Man Remembered campaign, visit www.everymanremembered.org.