Silent soldier unveiled outside County Hall

A silhouette of ‘Tommy’, the silent soldier, has been unveiled outside Oxfordshire County Hall, marking the final year of the World War One centenary.

The soldier is part of Oxfordshire County Council’s act of remembrance to those who served and sacrificed, and to show support for the valuable work of the Royal British Legion.

Royal British Legion’s silent soldiers are made of Perspex and are near life-size. They are being displayed by local authorities, businesses and individuals across the country, as a reminder of the sacrifices made during World War One.

.The silhouettes have at their base the words 'Lest we Forget'. Any business or community group can buy and sponsor a silhouette and have its name incorporated in the base wording.

County Councillor Lynda Atkins, who is Oxfordshire County Chairman of the Royal British Legion, said: “We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the First World War generation who served, sacrificed, rebuilt and changed the nation.

Oxfordshire County Council is supporting the ‘thank you’ movement by displaying this ‘Tommy’ silhouette. It symbolises the people of Oxfordshire who took part in the terrible conflict. Their sacrifice must never be forgotten.”