Weathered, Enduring…
Weathered, like an ancient limestone figure,
Disfigured, as if mutilated
By enemy shrapnel,
The infantryman lurches forth still,
His bayonet fixed with vigour,
His determination and rigour
Towering over hometown Brierley Hill…
For freedom, for homeland,
For kindred, for righteousness…
Weathered, like ancient marble reliefs,
Disfigured, as if damaged
By historic whim,
The tableaus tell wartime tales still,
Their depictions faded like grief,
Their raw truths and beliefs
Commanding, over modern Brierley Hill…
For freedom, for England,
For kindred, for consciousness…
Pete Ray
July 2020
Brierley Hill’s war memorial which towers over the town on Church Hill…
The four phrases ‘FOR FREEDOM, FOR HOMELAND, FOR KINDRED, FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ appear on the four faces of the memorial…
The scenes have been badly damaged by weather and also probably by the area's industrial past but the main feature, the attacking stone-sculpted infantryman has also become disfigured, almost ironic in that so many servicemen were disfigured during First World War combat…
The soldier is reputed to be based on Stanley Harley, a Brierley Hill chap who won a Distinguished Conduct Medal during World War One…
Work is being carried out around the memorial at present which made photography on a dull and showery day rather difficult…
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