World War One memorial unveiled near White House

The centrepiece of the United States' first national World War One memorial, sculpted at an English foundry, has been unveiled near The White House.

The 60ft (18m) long and 10ft (3m) high frieze, "A Soldier's Journey", was displayed in Washington DC after being made at the Pangolin Foundry in Stroud at an event on Friday evening.

Sculptor Sabin Howard's work depicts five scenes and 38 human figures.

"It feels great to see it in place, it's the culmination of four and a half years' work for us," said Rungwe Kingdon, co-founder at Pangolin Foundry.

Actors travelled from America to Gloucestershire to pose for the sculpture, which depicts the country's role in Word War One.

They were dressed in period clothing and posed to make 3D images, which were then turned into foam and clay and sent back to the US.

The sculptures were then sent back to Stroud to be cast in bronze.

"This is the end of a very long and uplifting process. People of my generation all lost grandparents or uncles in that war, it's a way for us to say thank you on their behalf to the Americans of that generation," Mr Kingdon said.

"This is being seen as a significant contribution to the memorials in the capital city.

"We have to be proud that a little company from Stroud can work on a world stage like this," he added.

One of the supporters of the project is American actor Kelsey Grammer.

"I am blown away by it, I am thrilled to be associated with it but the work the foundry have done is humbling.

"I think it will be a real landmark for people, and an emotional one as well.

"It will be an extraordinary thing in the city of Washington," he said.

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