THEY’RE there but not there…
As Remembrance Sunday draws near some new figures have re-joined the congregation at St Stephen’s Church in Redditch town centre.
The charity ‘Remembered’ is commemorating the fallen of the First World War nationally by installing silhouettes and researched histories of some of those whose names are on memorial walls.
The memorial plaque at St. Stephen’s has the name of 37 young men of our town whose lives were sacrificed in battle in the First World War.
Church Warden Bethan Craner said: “There are 10 life-sized silhouettes now sitting in the pews, representing those who fell, showing them to have been returned to their rightful place in the spaces they left behind.
“St Stephen’s is really proud to be a part of this project and we hope that everyone who comes to town will pop in and have a look.”
The soldiers who fought in the Great War were regular churchgoers and many would have carried a Bible with them in their knapsacks.
“As time goes on and the story of these people begins to fade it’s important to realise it’s not about the glorifying in the victory it’s remembering that we can get into situations where war seems to be the only way out,” said Rev Paul Lawlor, vicar at St Stephen’s.
“These were real men from real families and they didn’t go off to war to lose their lives.
“Politically and socially we need to remember the consequences of military action are not what we might imagine them to be.
Bethan added: “The installation is in the church until after the Remembrance Service on 11/11.
“Just call in and see what you think.
“Be prepared to be intrigued – and greatly moved.”
