Soldier sculpture returns to patrol Whitworth

David Joddrell and Stephen Scrivens with a back on duty 'Tommy'

A willow soldier who went AWOL has been found in Heywood and is now back ‘on duty’ in Whitworth.

Tommy, as members of Haslingden-based charity Veterans In Communities have nicknamed their willow soldier, was stolen from Healey Corner two weeks ago.

The sculpture, along with a First World War tank willow sculpture, was created by VIC member David Joddrell, from Bacup, to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.

VIC outreach and community development officer Suzanne Preston said: “We were contacted by Stephen Scrivens who said he had seen the sculpture discarded in bushes in Heywood.”

Stephen, a gardener from Heywood, brought the sculpture back to David Chorlton in Whitworth and Tommy was reunited with Suzanne in the town’s Red Lion pub.

Stephen said: “When I saw it, it just looked like a pile of sticks but when I went closer I could see it was a soldier. One of my customers told me about the missing sculpture and I realised what it was.

“I am so happy to have been able to return it because it means a lot to people and I have a lot of time for veterans. There is so much community spirit around here.”

Suzanne said: “We got Tommy a pint in the pub; after his ordeal we thought it was the least we could do.

“We have no idea who stole the sculpture, or why, but a lot of good has come from its disappearance.

“It has made everyone aware of the First World War centenary, raised awareness of our work in VIC and the commemorations we are involved in and it has brought the town together to look for Whitworth's lost soldier.

“So, unwittingly, the thief has done some good, not that we want ‘Tommy’ to disappear again.

“He has now been re-planted and we hope that he will not go absent without leave again.”

As David was re-planting the soldier four people stopped to enquire about it thinking David had made a replacement. All were delighted to find out Tommy had been returned.

David said: “I am just glad he has not been damaged and hope that the willow will root again so that the branches can grow. I am very grateful to Stephen.”

Stephen’s mum Michelle Seaborn is very proud of her son. She said: “He had been collecting manure for the gardens he looks after when he spotted the sculpture. They say muck is luck – and in this case it was.”

The veterans have a licence for the piece of land adjacent to the main road at Healey Corner to site the tank and soldier there for the four-year duration of the commemorations.