A POIGNANT reminder of those who lived, served and died during the First World War has been unveiled in Kilkhampton, near Bude.

To commemorate the ending of hostilities in 1918, Kilkhampton Parish Council commissioned a life-sized metal sculpture of an unknown soldier of the First World War, often referred to as a ‘British Tommy’.

The statue of the unknown soldier has been unveiled at the war memorial in Kilkhampton, providing the village with a poignant and moving reminder of the lives affected or lost during the devastating conflict that was the First World War.

The impressive artefact was unveiled before a large crowd on Sunday, November 4 by ex-servicemen, Edgar Metherell, Eddie Heard and Mike Cook, and was greeted with acclaim. Chairman of the parish council, Reg Hambley, welcomed Rev Richard Ward-Smith, who officiated at the dedication. Cllr Hambley also thanked Colin Gay and members of the metric band, who kindly offered to play appropriate music including the Last Post.

Created by George Hider from Taunton, the sculpture will stand by the war memorial until after Armistice Day when its new home, for the time being, will be inside St James the Great Church, where it will complement the illuminated tribute to the men of Kilkhampton who went to war in 1914, 21 of whom were lost.

Kilkhampton Parish Council organised the commission of the sculpture. Town clerk, Hannah Collett, said: “We had some parishioners come to us a little while ago with suggestions for acknowledging the anniversary. From this, we were exploring different ideas and one of our councillors actually saw an example of the statue at Rosemoor Garden Centre. It was then we made the decision to purchase this particular statue as it was so amazing, and we wanted something that was going to last and that we can bring out on display for numerous occasions.”