Cottingham Community Unites to Honor Veterans with Silhouette Tribute

Residents of Cottingham, a village in Hull, have come together to create a heartfelt tribute to veterans who lost their lives in service. This initiative features twenty striking Tommy Silhouettes placed on lampposts throughout the area, serving as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by men and women during wartime.

The project was spearheaded by the local branch of the Royal British Legion, which engaged schools, former servicemen, and local businesses to bring the tribute to life. The idea was inspired by similar tributes seen in other communities, particularly in Patrington last year. As the nation prepares to observe Remembrance Sunday, this tribute aims to foster a spirit of gratitude and reflection.

John Broughton, a former RAF serviceman and deputy chair of the Cottingham branch, described how the initiative gained momentum. He noted that Mjr Gary Fraser, an ex-Army Air Corps helicopter pilot and honorary secretary of the group, had first seen the soldier silhouettes in Patrington. Broughton then approached the Head of Design and Technology at Cottingham High School, Iain Baker, who responded positively to the proposal for the school to manufacture similar silhouettes.

Broughton sought sponsorship from local businesses, beginning with Howarth Timber and Building Supplies, where assistant manager Matthew Bolton generously donated materials, including sufficient 4mm plywood, to produce the silhouettes. Further support came from the Beverley branch of Wickes, which supplied primer, undercoat, and gloss paint necessary for weatherproofing the cut-out figures.

The silhouettes were crafted using templates donated by the organisers of the Patrington display. Baker and his students at Cottingham High School worked meticulously, upsizing an A4 silhouette to a height of four feet. The jigsawing of silhouettes involved students sanding edges for a smooth finish, while art teacher Natasha Fewlass enlisted her art club members to apply multiple coats of paint to ensure durability against the elements.

In addition to creating the silhouettes, the Cottingham branch of the Royal British Legion undertook the necessary administrative tasks to gain approval from local authorities for mounting the silhouettes. Broughton emphasized the importance of compliance, stating, “Things had to be correct. Methods of fixing were approved, and the mounting of these silhouettes could go ahead, only a little later than planned.”

This community effort is not only a tribute to fallen heroes but also aims to raise awareness of the National Poppy Appeal. The Cottingham branch hopes the visibility of the silhouettes will encourage residents to surpass this year’s fundraising target of £15,000.

As Remembrance Sunday approaches, the local community is poised to honour those who served, ensuring that the memories of the fallen continue to resonate through initiatives like this.