On Friday 11th February 2011, a sculpture will be installed at Cardiff Castle to commemorate the injured soldiers of recent battle.
The statue, “The Abandoned Soldier,” was created in 2007 by James Napier. It symbolises the forgotten servicemen of recent conflicts, a soldier physically and mentally broken from the effects of combat and at 5 metres tall, it’s an impressive piece of art. It was modelled on the face of a British ex-serviceman, Lance Corporal Daniel Twiddy, who was wounded in Basra by friendly fire in 2003 and sustained many injuries, including facial wounds from shrapnel.
The statue will be a temporary fixture at the Castle, courtesy of Firing Line: Cardiff Castle Museum of the Welsh Soldier, with the involvement of the 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards and the Royal Welsh Regiment.
Director of Firing Line, Christopher Dale, explained, “By installing this sculpture, even for a short time, the regiments hope to raise awareness of the plight of injured servicemen and women who suffer trauma as a result of combat.”
Councilor Nigel Howells, Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture said, “At Cardiff Castle, there is an integral link with the army both past and present. The Council therefore appreciates the role played by Firing Line and the regiments to bring this sculpture to the castle as it represents a focal point for all those who have served in the Armed Forces.”
The statue will be on view to Castle visitors from Friday 11th February until at least the end of May 2011.
