HOLSWORTHY Community College was delighted to welcome Rob Heard, the ‘19,240 Shrouds of the Somme’ artist on Thursday, June 9.

Rob came in to talk to Years 7, 8 and 9 about the incredible artistic installation which will commemorate the 19,240 Allied servicemen who died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme 100 years ago.

Mr Heard started this project three years ago, working 14-hour days over the last year to create the individually hand-stitched shrouded figures.

He explained: “Once the figure is enshrined in the shroud and a name is crossed off the list, it becomes more than just a figure in cloth, it represents one of the soldiers who died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Each figure feels different in my hands.”

Each one will be laid out, with space between them, to commemorate the 19,240 individual, brave soldiers who died during one of the worst battles in British military history.

The installation will also display the names of each soldier who died that day on 14 large boards — each individual name to be associated with a figure, each soldier with family and friends who loved them, never to return to them, many bodies never recovered.

Rob hopes that this display will in some way bring home those whose bones remain in the battlefields. “It is important we realise the enormity of the loss – a number is a number – a physical representation is something different.”

Rob laid out 192 of the shrouded figures in front of the pupils, representing just 1% of the total number which will be on display in Exeter from July 1.

Max, of Year 9, asked: “How long does it take to make each figure?” to which Rob replied that he can shroud a maximum of 200 figures each day — approximately five minutes for each one.

David, also of Year 9, asked whether Rob had a relative who had died in this war — Rob had not had any relatives at the Battle of the Somme. He explained that he felt compelled to complete this project, that some sort of ‘divine inspiration’ was his driving force.

Six relatives of one of those killed on the first day of the Somme – Private John Charles Milford, Devonshire Regiment – including HCC students Kayleigh, Louise and Sophie, were present to hear Rob’s presentation.

Judi Daniel brought with her a collection of photos and memories of her great Uncle John who died at just 18 years of age to show Rob and the students. The family also plan to visit Rob and see where he is working on the figures.

Kayleigh said afterwards: “On July 1, 1916, our great, great Uncle John Charles Milford died at the Somme. We feel very proud to have a relative who died on the first day of the battle. It was a great experience to take part today and see the assembly. We are grateful to Rob for representing our great, great uncle as one of the shrouded figures.”

Students at the college are using the shrouds project as inspiration for their work on World War One across the curriculum, including in history, art, RE, geography, PE, French and German. They will be producing a visual presentation to be included in the schools’ piece of the project to be displayed at Exeter Library and Exeter Cathedral.

‘19,240 Shrouds of the Somme’ will be open to the public and free of charge at Northernhay Gardens, Exeter between July 1 and 7. See www.thesomme19240.co.uk for further details.