Spirit of wartime captured in wood

A picture speaks a thousand words, especially when it has been lovingly carved. Virginia Mason reports.

There are no words to tell the stories, just powerful images, created by the chisel to form a series of relief wood carvings which capture powerfully and poignantly the magnitude of both the First and the Second World Wars.

In all, more than 8,000 dedicated hours’ work by talented members of the West Riding Woodcarvers’ Association have gone in to 95 individual carvings depicting scenes from the conflicts.

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These beautifully-worked pieces, painstakingly crafted by 50 members now form two magnificent panels – one for the First World War and one for the Second World War – each of them measuring 10 feet by five feet.

They feature notable scenes of fighting on the land, on the seas and in the air, campaigns and battles, the valuable work on the home front and even the part that animals played during the years from 1914 to 1918 and from 1939 to 1945.

Understandably, the work is attracting deserved acclaim.

“We are thrilled with the reception the panels have received so far,” says woodcarver and association secretary, John Murphy of Halifax.

“I think because we have all been involved with the project for so long, we have been too close to it and we hadn’t realised the impact it would have, It is lovely to see people appreciate them the way they have and as members we are all very proud of the work of course.”

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The idea to create the panels came from Woodcarvers’ Association members. The association, which includes members from Halifax, Huddersfield and Wakefield, has already established a reputation for its skilled craftsmanship.

Since its founding in 1992, it has produced several, large scale carved panels to support the fund-raising activities of various charities.

The decision was taken to commemorate the horror, suffering, courage and human spirit of those who took part in the two world wars and this has now inspired the work. It was then just a case of deciding where the panels could best be displayed.

The answer eventually was The Royal Armouries in Leeds.

“They were thrilled when we approached them,” said John, who reveals that they were officially unveiled and presented for permanent display by Prince Michael of Kent, at a special service of remembrance.

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However, before then, Calderdale had the chance to see the remarkable works when they went on display at Halifax Town Hall and the response was phenomenal. As a result, funds were raised for the Forget Me Not Trust Respite Centre and Children’s Hospice through the sale of a booklet about the carvings and the story behind them.

Visitors were also able to watch a film, put together by carver and member, Graham Lockwood. The film, 80 Million Lives (the total of casualties during the two major conflicts) focused on the carvings, movingly set against the song And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda, an account of a young Australian soldier, maimed at the Battle of Gallipoli in the First World War.

Graham said: “It wasn’t until I was listening to the song that I realised how perfectly many of the carvings fit in with the lyrics. Each carving has a story to tell and we wanted the film to complement the panels.”

The First World War panel depicts airships, ground crew loading bombs, biplanes and sappers tunnelling under enemy lines. It also captures the horror of the trenches and the conflict in all corners of the world.

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Many of the pieces such as a mother saying goodbye to her son and the casualties of gas are thought-provoking and moving – as is the carving of a simple, white feather. The Order of the White Feather was founded in 1914 to shame young men into enlisting.

The Land Girls and the women of the Salvation Army and the vital roles they played are also featured. The aircraft of the Second World War are celebrated in the second panel, from Hawker Typhoons to Spitfires, as well as the Avro Lancaster bomber. The Battle of Britain has also been interpreted, along with Dunkirk, D-Day, Arnhem and Colditz, and the horrors of Hiroshima.

Another carving shows the Victorian splendour of Bletchley Park – the setting for the breaking of the Enigma code. “We hope people will enjoy looking at these carvings just as much as we have loved being part of this project,” says John.

To see the panels, visit The Royal Armouries, Leeds, which is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

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For more information about the West Riding Woodcarvers’ Association (which runs a class at Brooksbank School, Elland, every Monday evening) ring John Murphy on 01422 361109 or visit www.wrwoodcarvers.com

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