Faces of the fallen
Tens of thousands of people gathered at beaches in Cornwall, Devon and around the UK yesterday at poignant events to say goodbye and thank you to the millions of men and women who left our shores during the First World War.
Four beaches in Cornwall and one in Devon were among 32 across the nation where crowds came to see giant sand portraits of fallen soldiers created as part of Pages of the Sea, Danny Boyle’s Armistice Day commission marking the 100th anniversary of the ending of the war.
The portraits were designed by sand artists Sand in Your Eye and drawn below the high tide line, allowing them to be washed away as the sea came back in.
The Eden Project, with sup- port from The Lost Gardens of Heligan, led the events at Porthmeor Beach in St Ives, East Looe Beach, Perranporth Beach and Saunton Sands in Devon. There was also an event at Porthcurno Beach near Land’s End where the National Trust took the lead.
Peter Steward, executive director at the Eden Project, said: “One hundred years after the ending of the First World War it is deeply moving to see so many people, young and old, taking part in these events to remember, thank and say goodbye to all those who left our shores during the War.”
At Porthmeor Beach big crowds turned out under sunshine and blue skies to commemorate Captain Edward ‘Teddy’ Hain, including his great nephew and niece Tim and Kit Hain.
Captain Hain was the son and heir of Lady Catherine and Sir Edward Hain, a prosperous Cornish shipping magnate and land owner.
Tim said: “This is a fitting tribute. We are all just faces in the sand really. That is why we have to make the best of it and look after each other while we are here.”
Large crowds turned out at East Looe Beach to commemorate Captain Kenneth Walton who was born in Pelynt. He was killed in action at 23. At Perranporth Beach many people turned out to commemorate Archie Jewell who survived the sinking of the Titanic, only to perish in the sinking of a hospital ship in 1917.
Hundreds of people visited Saunton Sands to remember Ralph Cumine-Robson who was a member of the 3rd Company, 1st King George’s Own Sappers and Miners.