Three years ago, Rob Heard was feeling really low while recovering from an accident. Watching soldiers returning from Afghanistan on TV, led to him thinking about the loss of lives in wartime and the incredible numbers involved. He found it impossible to imagine the 19,240 men who died in just one day, July 1st 1916, at the battle of the Somme.
From a list of the names of every one of the 19240, he created a hand stitched shroud containing a 12 inch figure, crossing off names as he went. Rob didn’t have a plan when he began the project, but a friend, Steve Knightly a musician from the band Show of Hands, contacted the city council, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Exeter Chiefs rugby foundation. This has become the UK’s largest WW1 commemoration and has featured in the national news this week.
If you’re in the area, the 19240 Shrouds of the Somme can be seen at Northernhay Gardens, Exeter until July 7th. I’d recommend it, it’s a highly emotional commemoration to a part of history that must never be repeated.
Lucid Gypsy 
I found the experience of visiting the memorial proundly moving. Gilly you did a wonderful job expressing in film and sound the event. If you are in Exeter please visit Northernhay gardens to see it for yourself. It is so moving and prepare yourself for tears!
This is – was – had to be an amazing exercise
Wow. What a heartfelt undertaking.Now I’m in tears.
Thanks for sharing. ❤
Thank you for the post, Gilly.
A very fitting memorial, and a moving video, Gilly.
This is amazing.
Thank you ..
I hate it, Gilly! It must never happen again.
A timely post. Visiting it would definitely have an emotional punch.
So wanted to see them but won’t be able to get there this week. Such a shame it is a short time slot.
Thanks for this Gilly.
Extraordinary. You really cannot understand how, after that, WWII happened. A sobering tribute.
So moving, it made me cry. Poignant. Thanks for sharing, Gilly.
Heartbreaking…
It really was, many tears were shed.
Reblogged this on Lucid Gypsy and commented:
Today is the centenary of the end of WW1, and at 11 am today events have been held around the UK, and the world, to honour those who’s lives were lost in that atrocious war.
The Shrouds in my post below have travelled to London, where they will lay until November 18th, in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.