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Although the Seated Tommies were the original work Martin created to commemorate the fifty local men who died in the Great War, a second, equally powerful, work grew out of that installation.
In September 2016, two months before the Seated Tommies were unveiled, Martin’s good friend Charles Lloyd suggested a standing figure to accompany the installation
Martin designed the Standing Tommy to act as a single representative image for the entire commemorative work.
The inspiration for the Standing figure came from a contemporary photograph by Horace Nicholls whose other work includes photographing the passage and internment of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.
There But Not There. The Standing Tommies.
2018
ABOUT US.
In February 2018 Remembered, the charity that was now supporting the promotion of the Seated Tommies, launched the Standing Tommy as a new symbol of remembrance for the centenary of the end of World War One just as the Tower of London poppies had symbolised the commemoration of the outbreak of the War.
The Standing Tommy figure was an immediate media sensation and was featured across a huge range of national broadcast, print and online channels. It was installed on roundabouts and public spaces. It was photographed with Premier League footballers and Chelsea Pensioners. It went international and was featured on Fox News in the USA and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. It was photographed with Arnold Schwarzenegger and on top of Sydney Harbour Bridge.
By the end of 2018 the Standing Tommy figure had taken its place as a new symbol of remembrance.
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