Miranda BrumwellTo commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the end of the First World War, an organization in Britain, the Remembered, launched a new charity art piece called There But Not There. The piece features life-size wire silhouettes of British soldiers.
The six-foot-tall silhouettes, known as Tommies can be found across the United Kingdom until Armistice Day, November 11.
Currently, there are Tommies on display in from Northern Ireland, to South Wales to the Tower of London. The art installations are designed to fit into seated spaces such as schools, village halls, places of worship or wherever there is a roll of honour.
Remembered hopes to raise more than £15 million for armed forces and mental health charities, and the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation.
“The Tommies are our primary fundraiser, although we also have some wonderful corporate sponsors and supporters who have donated,” said Fred Jacobsen, head of media.
Just over 700,000 British soldiers lost their lives in the First World War. Altogether, more than 65 million men and women from 30 different countries fought in the war. More than 10 million of those soldiers lost their lives. Also known as The Great War, the war started on July 28, 1914, and ended November 11, 1918.
For those looking to commemorate the lives of their own loved ones, small 10-inch versions of the Tommies are also available for purchase for £29.99 on their website, www.therebutnotthere.org.uk.
The miniature silhouettes are made by military veterans.
