Skip to content

Village celebrates return of war memorial statues

Michael Keohan/BBC A Tommy and Women in War silhouette statues face each other on grass. The Tommy is holding a gun and the woman is salutingMichael Keohan/BBC
Residents in Guston say they are delighted to see the return of their war memorials

War memorial statues have been replaced by villagers in Guston, near Dover, after the originals were damaged.

Earlier this year the previous silhouette statues of a Tommy and a Woman in War on the village green had their heads snapped off by vandals.

With help from the local community, villagers have returned the statues to the village green in time for the weekend's Remembrance Day commemorations.

The Labour MP for Dover and Deal, Mike Tapp, himself a former veteran, said: “It’s great to see these important memorial figures back.”

He praised locals in Guston saying: “Well done to the fantastic community who worked to make this happen.”

The replacement statues have been made out of steel to help prevent any future vandalism.

Janet Baldwin, who helped organise their return, told the BBC: “There is no way we couldn’t have them back for this weekend, we just had to.

“I didn’t want the people who vandalised them to think they could get away with it," she said.

"I’m proud of the community who got them replaced.”

Michael Keohan/BBC Dave Hubbard is standing beside the two statues in on the grass. He is wearing a chef's tunic and grey chequed trousersMichael Keohan/BBC
Dave Hubbard, chef at the Chance Inn at Guston, says he is "chuffed" to see the return of the memorials

The village pub also helped to raise money for the replacements.

Dave Hubbard chef at the Chance Inn, which is opposite where the statues were placed, said: “It’s brilliant to see them back where they belong, I’m chuffed.”

He said: "It’s overwhelming seeing how the community come together, and well done to the businesses who’ve helped restore them back to their rightful place.”

A blessing for the statues return is expected to take place in the coming weeks.

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.