It serves not only as a memorial to the sacrifices made by military personnel but also as a source of pride and inspiration for students and the community.
The design of the sculpture draws inspiration from the RBLI Tommy silhouette. The Angel of the North was also influential, blending historical significance with modern aesthetics. The goal was to create a figure that would evoke feelings of reverence and reflection while maintaining a contemporary and strong visual impact.
The sculpture’s stance, standing at the average height of a WWI and WWII soldier, conveys a sense of both strength and humility, emphasising the everyday soldier's role in history. On approach, the sculpture ‘disappears’, representing the fallen. A few steps later, it reappears, signifying remembrance. The figure’s posture is solemn yet resolute, with a subtle forward lean that suggests both contemplation and vigilance.
The sculpture was fabricated using Corten steel, a type of weathering steel that develops a unique patina over time, giving it a rust-like appearance. Corten was chosen for its visual and physical qualities: its ability to withstand the elements while adding a layer of historical significance as the material changes and evolves over time, much like the memory of those it honours. The deep, earthy tones of Corten evoke a sense of permanence, while its weathered finish ties the piece to the passage of time, reinforcing the timeless sacrifice of soldiers.
The sculpture’s fabrication began with detailed sketches and 3D modelling to ensure the correct proportions and alignment with the overall concept. Special attention was paid to the soldier’s uniform, facial features, and posture, ensuring that the figure was not only historically accurate but also visually powerful.
The cutting, welding, and assembly process of the Corten steel was complex due to the material’s unique properties. Corten steel requires careful handling during fabrication to ensure that it retains its strength and develops its patina in a controlled, uniform way. The figure was crafted in sections, which were welded together to form a solid, seamless structure.
One of the most challenging aspects was creating the weathered patina effect. The steel was exposed to specific environmental conditions to accelerate its natural weathering process, ensuring that the sculpture would have its iconic rusted appearance before installation.
Installation took place at DCHS, with a carefully prepared site that involved reinforcing the foundation to accommodate the sculpture’s weight and stability. The sculpture was positioned in a prominent location on the school grounds to ensure maximum visibility and accessibility for students, staff, and visitors.
CB Iron would also like to recognise Mr Andy Boyd for his design work on this sculpture, an absolute wizard in CAD design!
Being ex-forces, I’ve done tours of both Iraq and Afghanistan, so remembrance means an awful lot to me in many different ways. Being given the opportunity to create this remembrance sculpture was a real honour.
The soldier sculpture was featured on the Northumberland Gazette website, click here to view the article.
Back to the case studies