COMMEMORATIVE statues of soldiers have been sited in Cradley as Remembrance Day approaches - to create a poignant tribute to those who fought and died for their country.
Ex-serviceman Dave Brenton has put up the statues in locations including Chapel House Lane, Park Road and Colley Lane, opposite St Peter’s Church, as part of Remembrance commemorations.
The black aluminium composite statues representing British Army 'Tommies' were created last year thanks to a kind donation from Steve Hill of Sentinel Plastics Ltd in Cradley Heath.
They’ve been proving a hit with local residents and Dave hopes they prompt people to reflect on “what this time of year is about”.
Large poppies and the number 110 have also been put up in the ward to mark 110 years since the start of WWI.
Having served in the British Army for 12 years, from 1978 to 1990, the Remembrance season is an important time for Dave whose great uncle George Harding died aged just 19 in the Battle of Passchendaele, while serving with the Garrison Artillery in Belgium.
Dave said: “As long as I draw breath, I will never allow people to forget the sacrifices made to ensure what we have now.”
Remembrance parades and services will be taking place across the Dudley borough this weekend.
Cradley's annual parade and memorial service will take place at St Peter's Church. Veterans will march from the community centre in Colley Lane at 2.35pm to the war memorial where wreaths will be laid and a silence held in memory of fallen soldiers from 2.45pm ahead of a service at the church at 3pm.
The King's representative, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands Nick Venning, will be among the invited dignitaries.
Remembrance events will also be held at Shell Corner on Friday November 8 at 7pm and in Halesowen on Sunday November 10. The deputy lord lieutenant will also be at the Halesowen event where veterans will march from Somers Square at 10.30am to the cenotaph where wreaths will be laid and this will be followed by a procession to Townsend Social Club.
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