Silhouette statue depicting ‘every First World War soldier’ unveiled at Holyrood

A silhouette statue of a First World War soldier has been unveiled at the Scottish Parliament.

The life-size aluminium installation depicting a “Tommy” will be on display at Holyrood until November 12, as part of commemorations marking 100 years since the armistice.

It is part of nationwide programme There But Not There, which involves outlines of soldiers being placed in locations across the UK.

Alexander Stewart MSP, honorary ambassador for the Ancre Somme Association, said: “I think it’s vitally important that we remember and we commemorate the situation that we have this year.

“This statue is very haunting, it gives an impression to anyone who sees it instantly and I think it’s vitally important that we have it here at the Scottish Parliament.”

Tommy Davidson, secretary of the Ancre Somme Association, added: “Sadly, 100 years ago many of the soldiers who came home wouldn’t want to speak about what they actually witnessed or experienced.

“The death, the destruction, the blood, the guts, walking through bodies that were lying the battlefields.

“Great-grandfathers wouldn’t have come home and spoken about that, for those that did come home.”

Designed by artist Martin Barraud, the piece has been gifted to the Scottish Parliament’s Art Collection by the association.

It has been described as depicting “every solider” who fought and died in the war.

Before going on display at Holyrood, the silhouette sculpture has visited locations across the country – including football clubs such as Dunfermline, Hibernian, Rangers and Celtic.

Deputy presiding officer Christine Grahame said: “Remember lost lives, because the average age was 20 – which is almost impossible to think about, 20 was the year in which they lost their lives.

“That was such a waste of so many lives.

“To remind people also of war and the fact that, really, nobody really wins at the end of a war.

“Many lives are lost unnecessarily. Politicians, in particular, should always remember that.”