14-Aug-2024

STANDING WITH GIANTS INSTALLATION ENDS

The Standing with Giants installation was in place from mid April to end of August 2024.

The 1,475 silhouettes of British soldiers, sailors and aviators represented the total number in British units who lost their lives on D-Day, 6 June 1944. They stood in the meadow below the Memorial, overlooking ‘Gold Beach’ where British forces landed on D-Day.

In this 80^th anniversary year of the D-Day Landings the silhouettes have had a huge impact. They’ve been visited by many thousands of visitors from around the world and they’ve brought home the scale of the sacrifice as the Allies began the operation to liberate France from the Nazi occupation.

Their removal started 1 September and will be complete by 13 September.

The silhouettes are returning to Britain to fulfil an obligation to go on display at Stowe House, a National Trust property in Buckinghamshire.

The Normandy Memorial Trust is hoping it will be possible for the ‘Giants’ to return to the memorial next year. If you or your organisation is interested in sponsorship opportunities for 2025 please contact media@normandymemorialtrust.org.

The Trust’s Secretary, Nicholas Witchell, said:

“The silhouettes have had a huge impact. The British Normandy Memorial is where they belong and we very much hope it will be possible to fund their return in the spring next year. We hope to work with local stakeholders to ensure this happens. If companies and others in France and the UK would like to ‘stand with the giants’ we would love to hear from them.”

Dan Barton, Founder and Chair of Trustees, Standing with Giants, said:

“I am deeply humbled by the overwhelming response from visitors who have seen and engaged with our installation, I am honoured to have created this tribute with the help of Individuals, schools, organisations, community groups, and societies , appropriately called For Your Tomorrow, The People’s Tribute. Standing with Giants, D-Day 80 installation displayed at The British Normandy Memorial, reflects the magnitude and serves as a solemn reminder of the sacrifice and bravery shown by so many on D-Day and throughout the Normandy Campaign.

The desire for it to become a permanent display as suggested by visitors in honour of our D-Day heroes is incredibly moving. However, the design of this installation emphasises mobility, allowing us to take the tribute to different locations. This transient nature is crucial for sharing its powerful message broadly and additionally, the installation’s design requires regular maintenance. The meadow where it is currently placed at Ver-sur-Mer must be managed to maintain the biodiversity of the wildflower habitat. Keeping the tribute here permanently could interfere with these vital conservation efforts. The autumn and winter weather at Ver-sur-Mer is also not ideal for our silhouettes. We are however in discussions with our charity partners at The British Normandy Memorial to explore possibilities for the Giants to return for display in Spring 2025.”