Seaham's Tommy statue, named after the old name for British soldiers 'Tommy Atkins' or just 'Tommy' for short. The artwork was created by Ray Lonsdale.

Armistice Day 2018

Steven Iceton County Durham, Northumberland, Winter

One hundred years since the end of World War One, many tributes were being made around the country, I took a visit to one of the local artworks acknowledging the great sacrifices made by others so that we may have our freedoms.

A composite of two of my images, one of a poppy field I captured earlier in the summer in Northumberland at Aydon Castle, and Seaham’s Eleven O One “Tommy” statue by Ray Lonsdale. Nmed by the locals after the old name for British soldiers ‘Tommy Atkins’ or just ‘Tommy’ for short.  The statue was only meant to be on temporary display but the locals loved it so much they raised the £100,000 to buy it.
Poppies adorn Tommy for the 100th year since Armistice day.

Eleven O One
Now in the wake of this glorious slaughter,
He’d seen many a soul cleansed in filthy water,
Seen Godless men reach out for the bible,
As lead tore the flesh from both friend and rival,
Soon home to the joy and celebration of kin,
Drunken slaps on the back at a favourite inn,
But heavy in his pocket lies a small piece of card,
And the note written on it will break a mothers heart.

The Locations

Aydon Castle, Northumberland. Off Aydon Road, Corbridge NE45 5PJ

Eleven O One “Tommy”, Seaham, North Terrace, Seaham SR7 7EU

Credits

Eleven O One “Tommy”, Seaham, Ray Lonsdale (Sculptor) http://www.tworedrubberthings.co.uk/

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