SILHOUETTES of ‘silent soldiers’ could soon be popping up around Launceston, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Cornwall Poppy Appeal is said to be inviting sponsors to get involved with the ‘Silent Soldier’ campaign. Silhouettes of soldiers are available to purchase and place in gardens, roundabouts or on buildings.

The cost of them is £250, with £150 donated to the Royal British Legion.

Launceston Town Council agreed to support the Silent Soldier campaign at its meeting on February 20.

Mayor Cllr Margaret Young said: “I personally think it’s an excellent idea.”

Cllr Dave Gordon, who said he assumed the silhouettes are made of metal, added: “I think it would be remiss of the town to ignore it. I think it would be a lovely tribute for the town. Talking to the legion, I think the town square is their preferred location [to site the silhouette].”

After councillors unanimously agreed to buy one silhouette, they discussed additional locations.

Cllr Val Bugden-Cawsey said: “I think it would be quite nice to think about putting one up at the roundabout on Pennygillam.”

Cllr Jane Nancarrow said: “I suggest we have one at St Stephens, men went [to war] from Launceston and St Stephens. We have got a residents’ association meeting quite soon. I mentioned to them it would be nice to do a service in St Stephens Church. There were a number of men from Duke Street alone that went off.”

Cllr Sam Allen suggested Coronation Park as another location. Cllr Gordon explained the park is managed by trustees and that he was ‘quite happy to take it to the trustees to see if they would like to purchase one’.

Cllr Young proposed that Cllr Gordon go to the Royal British Legion to discuss the number of soldiers that could be sited around the town and get RBL members’ agreement before approaching residents’ associations to see if they could help sponsor the silhouettes, with the town council then providing match funding.

l LAUNCESTON will be lighting a beacon as part of the ‘Battle’s Over — A Nation’s Tribute’ commemoration of World War One.

The town council had agreed back in 2016 to be part of the commemorations, remembering the end of the war and the millions who were killed or wounded.

Beacons of light will be lit around the country on November 11 at 7pm, including at Coronation Park.

There are four elements to the commemoration. At 6am the sound of 1,000 bagpipes will fill the air before dawn has broken on November 11. In cities and towns throughout the land individual pipers will play Battle’s O’er — a traditional air played by pipers after a battle, which will herald the start of the day’s commemorations.

At 6.55pm the Last Post will be played at many of the 1,000 WWI Beacon sites throughout the United Kingdom, involving young people and others paying their personal tribute to those that gave their lives during World War One. The beacons are then lit at 7pm.

At 7.05pm there will be ‘ringing out for peace!’ As beacons blaze around the country, bells in 1,000 churches and cathedrals will ring out in celebration of the end of the First World War. Many people in Britain live within hearing of church bells, which call congregations to prayer and mark special occasions.

Just across the border in Devon, Trevor Bowden, tower captain at St Bridget’s Church, Bridgerule, has confirmed bells there will be ringing on November 11 as part of the commemorations.

More information on Battle’s Over — A Nation’s Tribute 11th November 2018, and how to take part, can be found at www.brunopeek.co.uk

l WILL you be getting involved? Please let the Post know, by emailing [email protected] or calling 01566 778213.