"Overwhelming" numbers flock to see Standing With Giants D-Day silhouettes as WWII installation moves on

Nearly 80,000 visitors made the trip to Fort Nelson to see the Standing With Giants display. The installation - “For Your Tomorrow - The People’s Tribute” - showcases life-sized figures of the 1,475 servicemen under British Command who gave their lives on D-Day.

After 14 weeks, the display is was ‘de-installed’ on Tuesday (January 27). Standing With Giants founder and chair of trustees, Dan Barton, told The News: “It’s been incredible.

“Fort Nelson has just organised it wonderfully, and done such a fantastic job. We should get back to Normandy, we’re just trying to get some more funding and sponsors. That’s the crucial thing.

“We’re close to nearly one million visitors. It’s been astonishing how successful this has been. Its purpose is to remember those that have fallen and who gave us our freedom. I’m not a military person, I'm just someone who appreciates everything that we have, and it’s so important that we appreciate our freedoms.”

The memorial was initially set up for the public on October 22, striking a chord with D-Day veterans who paid a visit. Mr Barton said eight new figures have been introduced and the team are continuing to learn new stories about the historic event. One of them shows a serviceman wearing scuba diving gear, to illustrate those who went to Normandy early to cut away the sea defences before the landing.

Mr Barton added: “It’s been an incredible journey and 3,500 people have helped make the installations. It has been a community endeavour, and we’re hoping to go from strength to strength.”

Fort Nelson stepped in to host the poignant display after another venue pulled out at the last minute. The tribute was originally due to stay for four weeks over the period covering Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday, but was extended due to overwhelming demand.

Nigel Hosier, head of operations at Royal Armouries Fort Nelson, said: “This was at a time where we're normally very quiet. It’s been wonderful to see people’s reaction to it. It has been poignant, and it has really meant something to people.”

The heritage employee said it was an exciting challenge to host that number of people at Fort Nelson, and it couldn’t have been done without the brilliant staff and volunteers. “It’s been tough, but very worthwhile,” he added.

“The staff have taken a lot of pride in being able to show this to the public. We’ve got used to it being here and when it’s gone, it’ll leave a bit of a void. We can now start planning for Easter and the summer when the weather’s a bit nicer. We’ll see what happens next.”

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Discussions are now taking place for the D-Day tribute to return to the British Normandy Memorial in France in the spring, but it will definitely be on show at Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire in November. Standing with Giants also has a Celebration of Freedom installation on display currently at Portsmouth Historic Quarter in Dockyard, which can be seen for free.

Lizzie Puddick, public engagement manager for Fort Nelson, said: “Having Standing with Giants at Fort Nelson showed the sacrifice people made on D-Day and combined with our location overlooking Portsmouth, from where so many troops left on D-Day, made us such a poignant location for the art installation.

“We would like to thank everyone who visited the tribute, many who came to honour relatives and comrades. The installation certainly focussed thoughts on why we must never forget what those who came before us gave for our freedom.”

You can donate to Standing With Giants via its website. More details on Fort Nelson can be found here.