Tommy figures evoke wounds of war
SOUTHPORT councillor Sir Ron Watson has spoken out on the importance of learning from history ahead of the centenary of end of World War I.
The Dukes Ward councillor backs the There But Not There campaign, which aims to raise funds to heal those suffering from the hidden wounds of war, through sale of commemorative Tommy figures.
Sir Ron said: “I’m looking to ensure we are supporting the campaign.
“Sefton Council has purchased two of the 6ft statues to go up at Bootle Town Hall and the Atkinson, and they’ve also purchased five glass blocks to commemorate the five Victoria Crosses won by people in Sefton.’’
Smaller figures are also available. “It really is a good thing, and I’m particularly keen to ensure that young people will learn something to take from this, because it’s 100 years, and I don’t think there’s anybody alive now who can remember.”
He emphasised the importance of learning from history, and passing down knowledge through the generations.
“I’m hoping to see a good attendance at Remembrance Day. You learn from history, it helps if you have an understanding because there are certain things in life that come round in circles and it gets worrying.”
The There But Not There campaign aims to raise funds to heal mental scars of war, something that Cllr Watson places a huge amount of importance on.
“There’s a big issue with the Armed Forces where people are developing quite severe mental illness because they’re not looked after when they come out.
“We really need to do more to look after them, not just when they’re in the forces but when they leave.”
The experiences of his father, a wing commander during WWII, mean the campaign takes on particular importance for Sir Ron, who heard a selection of stories from his father’s wartime efforts.
“You have the direct experiences like I had with my dad.
“He saw some pretty grim things, lost friends, there’s a limit to which you want to revive the memory.
“He would tell me some stories but not everything because it distressed him.” Go to shop.therebutnotthere.org.uk/ collections/all-products/products/tommy