Photo-a-Day (Wednesday, 5th February, 2020)
We Remember
Photo: Brian (iPhone)
A puzzling memorial to me. As Brian says, it is there to commemorate the centenary of the end of the Great War - and the plaque of which you can just see a bit of to the left is entitled 'Coming Home'. The scene, however, looks more like the jingoistic waving off of the troops at the start of the war, than the relieved welcoming home of the lucky survivors, many of them limbless and scarred for life, who faced an uncertain post-war future.
There is a further complication - the plaque actually features the four Wigan VCs. Although it mentions the welcoming home of Woodcock in Wigan, before he returned to his death, and that of Wilkinson in Leigh, nothing is mentioned of Kenealy's death, or about Grimshaw's return - and there is nothing at all about the many 'Welcome Home' events held throughout the district for all the other returning men.
love these!
Not seen this for real but I agree with Rev David. It does look like the soldier is taking his leave of the other two figures. Had it been welcome home surely it would have been an open arms gesture. How long has it been on display ?
He looks like he as lost is hands Rev.
Agree with the Rev. It is an "Adiue" and dare I say visually taking a primrose path whilst it is at it. Whilst the local VC holders are a fact, space for narrative to expand on ALL returners and worded in such a way to encourage the reader to look further for themselves in to what challenges those people faced.
Quite flimsy as a memorial, as if it was done as an afterthought or a nod to the centenary...but could be re-cycled afterwards!