Armistice 100: New '˜Tommy' memorial will be unveiled on Remembrance Day

Earlier this year, plans were submitted to Sunderland City Council for a new war memorial in Washington Village, by the cenotaph off Spout Lane.

Constructed out of black metal, the memorial depicts a kneeling soldier contemplating a burial cross.

In the run-up to Remembrance Day, several businesses and community groups have donated time and labour to bring the project to life.

The initial spark of the idea came from Joan Atkinson, the chairman of Washington Bloom Society, and Clifford Chapman of local firm Clifford Chapman Staircases.

In a joint statement, they said: “This week that idea came to fruition with the installation of a black metal kneeling soldier holding his grounded rifle in his right hand.

“His hat is removed in reverence to the unmarked grave as the Armistice came into force on the 11th hour on the 11th of November 1918.

“The installation is a simple statement of bravery and sadness of those who gave their lives for their country and the freedom we all enjoy today.”

On Sunday, the statue will be unveiled by Washington and Sunderland West MP Sharon Hodgson as part of Remembrance events.

A service will start at Holy Trinity Church in Washington at 9.30am before a procession to the cenotaph.

Representatives from the Royal British Legion and other dignitaries are also expected to attend.

Chris Binding, Local Democracy Reporting Service