M40 Soldiers: In remembrance of the Unknown Soldier

An attempt is being made voluntarily by Dan Barton to create and install 101 6ft tall Armistice day Soldier Silhouettes to Commemorate the end of WW1 and 75 poppy wreathes to commemorate the end of WW2 at The Aston Rowant Nature Reserve. The Natural England Reserve can be found on the hillside at Stokenchurch, Oxfordshire above the M40 Motorway. The Soldiers & Poppies will be displayed from Thursday 7th November for approx. 2.5 weeks.

Soon after starting this epic project things started to go seriously wrong. An old injury to his hand made every movement continually painful, the wet weather played havoc with the paint drying times, soldiers needed up to 6 coats of paint each side & volunteers who offered help were going down with the flu. 

Dan’s Sons stepped in to assist their Dad with any spare time they had. Although currently overdrawn Dan allowed himself a £1,200 budget to create this solemn installation, he used recyclable building site hoardings and Brewers of Abingdon kindly donated red & black paint in the region of £500. The Steele frames for the soldiers and wreaths weigh approx a tonne so Dan has customised and made a carrying container to transport them. 

Dan hopes to raise funds for The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. You can donate via JustGiving at justgiving.com/fundraising/m40soldiers. 

Dan hopes this installation will provoke thought as people drive along the M40 motorway to remind us to enjoy the freedom we have and to teach our younger generations to treasure and cherish their freedom and to live well. Dan believes that all that we have in this moment is possible because of those that have come before us.