Dismay as Great War statue stolen from Shrewsbury's Quarry park

The soldier was created by British artist and sculptor Nic Joly to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

He stood for nine days at the foot of St Michael the Archangel, on the war memorial, at the entrance to the Quarry.

The polished golden figure stood 50mm tall, including its red brass poppy, and is designed to stand independently from the memorials to encourage people to stop, look and remember what happened 100 years ago.

The golden soldier is a reminder that every life lost was a golden one.

The figure was taken between Sunday afternoon and Tuesday night. It is one of 141 that have been sent to various sites around the country to go on display.

Like some of the men he was chosen to represent, a little bronze soldier stood for just nine days in his spot by a World War I memorial in the heart of Shrewsbury.

But Jenny Robey, community fundraiser for the Royal British Legion, in Shropshire, said: was dismayed to find that he had disappeared from his place in the Quarry.

Jenny said: "Nic contacted me and asked if we would like to have one of his statues. We said yes and he was placed at the foot of the war memorial.

"They are meant to be in place for 141 days to symbolise the length of time that the Battle of the Somme raged for.

"There is little sticker on the base of each statue which encourages people to think and reflect about the war and then put it back in its place.

"I didn't think someone would just take it. It does seem a bit mean. Perhaps they made a mistake and if that is the case then they can return it anonymously.

"I know it was there on Sunday afternoon as I walk my dogs in the park and I had to put him upright again as he had been blown over by the strong winds but when I went to a meeting at St Chad's Church on Tuesday I noticed he was missing.

"Hopefully we will get him back as he represents all those that were lost in the First World War."

If anyone knows where the soldier statue has gone, to or has any information about his whereabouts, they can either return him anonymously to his place in the park.

Details on the whereabouts of the missing figure can also be emailed to jrobey@britishlegion.org.uk