Memorial day - 28

Women of World War 2 statue, the subject of last weeks blog, is the work of the sculptor John Mill. Another of the 74 year old London born artists work is the subject of today's blog.

One of the iconic images of World War 2, shows the dome of St Paul's Cathedral, the night sky behind it is light up by the flames of London dockland burning during a German bombing raid. How appropriate that now within the cathedrals shadow stands UK Blitz - The National memorial to the fire-fighters who died during World War II.



The work was unvailed by the Queen in May 1991.The sculpture tells the story of three firemen, a sub-officer and two branch-men in action as in any great fire any where in the country during the blitz. The interdependence of these men and their comradeship, so typical of this service, intensified by the horror of welfare on the home front, gives the reason for this compact grouping. The uniform and details of the posture and method of holding the branch hose are those of that time. The style of lettering used around the octagonal base,to list the 1,027 names of men and women who died, is the same as that used on the wartime ration book.