Oswestry sculptor creates D Day commemoration

Designer and sculptor Alfie Bradley is famed for creating the Knife Angel at the British Ironworks Centre near Oswestry.

Now he has created another head-turning sculpture, in the form of a D-Day remembrance soldier made from replica bullets at his workshop near the town.

The creation, titled D-Day: Soldiers of Sacrifice has been created in tribute to the 4,414 Allied servicemen who lost their lives in the first 24 hours of the Allies' invasion of Normandy.

The figure represents Denham Brotheridge, widely believed to be the first Allied serviceman to be killed by enemy action on D-Day, atop 4,414 bullets, representing his comrades in arms who fell in battle later that day.

Lieutenant Brotheridge of D Company, 2nd Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, took part in a surprise raid on bridges, landing in occupied France via gliders with his men.

Ahead of the 75th anniversary, Mr Bradley has completed the piece now go on a tour of the country, starting with Liverpool, before visiting Normandy for a short time.

This has been such a meaningful project, and I've loved working with The D-Day Story to create this lasting tribute to the heroes that gave their lives for us in the Second World War.

He said: "Den Brotheridge was 28, the same age I am now, when he died.

"I can't even begin to imagine how terrifying it would have been to land on the beach in Normandy that day.

"The more I've read up on D-Day over the last few months, the more I realise how grateful we all should be for their heroic sacrifice."

Jane Barnard from The D-Day Story museum added: "We're thrilled to be commemorating the 75th year since the D-Day landings with such a poignant and meaningful sculpture.

"We have chosen locations close to the heart of Den and World War Two and it's fantastic his daughter has been able to join us for the tour, her stories of her father are truly captivating and emotive."

Lieutenant Brotheridge of D Company, 2nd Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, took part in a surprise raid on bridges, landing in occupied France via gliders with his men.

Ahead of the 75th anniversary, Mr Bradley has completed the piece now go on a tour of the country, starting with Liverpool, before visiting Normandy.

Mr Bradley said: “I’ve loved working with The D-Day Story to create this lasting tribute to the heroes who gave their lives for us in the Second World War. Den Brotheridge was 28, the same age I am now, when he died. I can’t even begin to imagine how terrifying it would have been to land on the beach in Normandy that day.

“The more I’ve read up on D-Day over the last few months, the more I realise how grateful we all should be for their heroic sacrifice.”