The only ‘Tommy on tour’ in the UK from the acclaimed charity ‘Standing with Giants’ will appear at our Rails to Victory 1940's weekend as part of the 80th anniversary year of the D-Day landings.
The “Standing with Giants” charity installed a staggering 1,475 silhouettes across the meadow fields of the British Normandy Memorial called ‘For Your Tomorrow’ in April 2024. The figures reflect the number of servicemen who died under British command on D-Day plus, two women nurses. The public can see and walk through this installation as part of the D-Day 80 commemorations until the end of August this year. Millions have seen the Normandy installation via international media and tens of thousands in person.
The seven-foot-tall Tommy joining us this weekend on the 20th and 21st of July is a copy of the many installed in France. He is made from recycled materials and sits on a plinth surrounded by poppies knitted by the Woman’s Institute who, nationally made over 24,000 for the Normandy display.
Dan Barton the Standing with Giants founder said, “Standing with Giants is to remember and pay tribute to those who have fallen so we can live the lives we have today. Our installations are a great way of using art to do this. We call our silhouettes’ Giants’ due to the enormity of their sacrifice so that others can have their freedom”
It is hoped that after the Normandy celebrations the installation will be returned to the UK in early September and the tribute travel around the country for as many people as possible to experience.
Guests at the Rails to Victory weekend can meet Tommy, have their picture taken with him, chat with the 'Standing with Giants' volunteers about the D-Day tribute and see the many images of the installation in France.
Also to experience at our Rails to Victory event will be many living history displays, military and civilian vehicle displays, 1940's steam engines and demonstrations, live music, entertainment and 'lookalikes', trade stalls and a FREE vintage bus service to and from Tamworth station. Plus much, much more.
Find out more or book your tickets below...
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