Memorial

Huntingdon The Thinking Soldier

Source: Copyright Colin G. Fakes

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Current Location

Market Square, Huntingdon, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE29 3NR, England

TL 23800 71818

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Type of Memorial: Serviceman / Servicewoman
WMR Reference Number: 293
Description: Two stepped base surmounted by a rectangular plinth and life size statue of a brooding or thinking soldier. He is depicted supporting himself against boxes. His right leg is out-stretched with his right foot heavily coated in mud and his left knee is bent. He holds his rifle in his right hand, the butt of which rests on the ground. He rests his chin on his right hand, the elbow of which is resting on his bent knee. He wears his tin hat with no chin strap present. An ex-soldier pointed out this was accurate as soldiers would tend to have the chin strap under the helmet.
Inscription: Front: TO THE MEN OF/ 1914 - 1918 WHO/ WROUGHT FOR MANKIND A GREAT/ DELIVERANCE/ ALSO TO THOSE WHO/ IN 1939 - 1945/ SERVED AND TRIED/ TO PRESERVE OUR/ GLORIOUS HERITAGE Rear: TO THOSE WHO IN/ THE MANY WARS/ AND CONFLICTS/ SINCE 1945/ SERVED AND DIED/ TO PRESERVE/ FREEDOM

Maker(s): F B Thackray and co Ltd of Huntingdon, Makers
Sponsor Type: public
Additional Cost/Sponsorship Information: Money for the memorial was raised through donation and a fete. Lady Scott forgoed her fees. Amount raised was £171.48. Expenditure amounted to £139.06, the balance being put on deposit.
Maintenance History: 2003: A post 1945 inscription panel was added to the rear of the plinth. 2001: Statue was removed, restored and the plinth was replaced in the same stone as it had suffered from discolouration. The new plinth was designed to prevent the leaching of the metal into the stone and the base of the statue now over-hangs the plinth. The memorial has also been floodlit and a herringbone brick surround created. The stone from the original plinth will be kept by the town council. 2001: There were plans to move the memorial from its original site but campaigners prevented this from occuring. 1984: The statue was vandalised and the rifle broken. It was repaired by Mr C Saunders free of charge. 1948: Statue cleaned by Mr H Thackray free of charge. 1931 An offer to floodlight the memorial by the local Electricity Company was accepted by the Council. 1926: The base was damaged by a car and railings constructed around the memorial. 1923: Lettering became obscure so letters were painted.