National Trust Stowe

This ambitious project, first captivated audiences at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, France from April 24- August 2024. The installation commemorates the brave soldiers, sailors, and airmen under British Command who lost their lives in the D-Day landings, marking 80 years since that historic event on 6 June 1944. Last year, 200 silhouettes graced the grounds of Stowe Gardens for remembrance, but now, for the first time, the full installation of 1,475 servicemen is being displayed in the UK at National Trust Stowe gardens. This powerful tribute creates a meaningful space for visitors to pause, reflect, and honour the fallen.

Adding to the significance of the display, two bespoke figures of nurses stand proudly, representing Sister Mollie Evershed and Sister Dorothy Field. Both gave their lives while saving 75 men from the hospital ship SS Amsterdam, which sank off the Normandy beaches on 7 August 1944. Their posthumous commendations and place on the British Normandy Memorial make them the only two women remembered in this way.

The installation also includes 50 silhouettes of French Resistance fighters, strategically placed along the woodland footpath that encircles the valley, further deepening the story of those who sacrificed everything for freedom.

"For Your Tomorrow – the People’s Tribute" 11 bespoke designs were created by community artist Dan Barton and military artist Simon Smith, with each of the life-sized figures lovingly handmade by Dan and his Standing with Giants’ dedicated volunteers. Weighing over 30 tonnes, this awe-inspiring installation took two weeks to assemble in the Grecian Valley, with the invaluable support of more than 200 volunteers.

The installation arrived at Stowe Gardens on 14 September, from the British Normandy Memorial safely escorted expertly by our Harley Davidson rider crew and our four articulated lorries, driven by Flegg Project & Installation Services. The lorries carried 18 stillages decorated with a total of 22,442 knitted poppies (made and donated by The Women’s Institute nationwide) representing the total number of fallen service personnel on D-Day and the Battle of Normandy combined. 

Standing with Giants designed the stillages, which display real letters and poems from fallen servicemen of the Normandy Campaign. This was part of a unique research project by the Normandy Memorial Trust to bring to life the personal stories behind the names engraved on the British Normandy Memorial. The stillages are also on display at Stowe Gardens.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/.../for-your-tomorrow