At Orford House, our Coulsdon-based residential care home, the residents, members of the local community and care team held an Armistice Day service to remember all fallen Commonwealth soldiers of the First World War.
Held beside the care home’s newly positioned Tommy Soldier Memorial, the service was conducted by Michelle Kennett, the care home’s Registered Manager. Talking about the Tommy Soldier Memorial, Michelle said: “I wanted to do something that not only commemorated the lives that were lost during the First World War, but also to show our thanks and support to the many veterans who served our country. So, rather than buying a statue from a company, I searched the internet and found the iconic statue memorial figures made by British Legion veterans.”
Whilst researching the memorial statue, Michelle discovered many fascinating facts relating to why the instantly recognisable figure is known as ‘Tommy’. “Whilst I was speaking with the British Legion veterans who created our statue, we talked about the Great War in detail. I was told that the term “Tommies” is closely associated with British soldiers who served during the First World War as “Tommy” is slang for a soldier who served in the British Army.
“In fact, legend says that, in the World War I trenches, enemy troops would shout out ‘Tommy’ across the infamous No Man’s Land, when they were looking to speak with a British soldier,” continued Michelle.
Residents laid wreaths at the Orford House Tommy Soldier Memorial and at the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, residents, care team and members from the care home’s local community gathered at the Tommy Soldier Memorial and held a two-minute silence and honoured all those who gave so much. Along with their own thoughts, they remembered The Armistice, the agreement to end the fighting of the First World War as a prelude to peace negotiations, which began at 11 a.m. on 11th November 1918.
“Our Tommy Soldier Memorial is located on the lawn, on the roundabout in front of Orford House’s main doors. It is an ideal spot for ‘Tommy’ as the residents can see him when they look out of the windows of the dining room and lounge,” added Michelle.
It was an emotional and poignant service, which everyone who attended found very touching. “By sourcing and purchasing our Tommy Soldier from the British Legion veterans, I felt we were doing our bit to support all those that had defended our country and now make a living by creating statues, figures and sculptures to celebrate our lads and lasses who have passed,” concluded Michelle.
Find out more about Orford House care home by calling 020 8660 2875 or emailing enquiries@fote.org.uk.