Digger maker JCB has marked the centenary of the World War One Armistice at its Uttoxeter HQ – Chelsea Pensioners join the commemoration.
JCB has marked the centenary of the end of the First World War with three diferent tributes.
A team of JCB apprentices and graduates has created a distinctive art installation which holds 255 ceramic poppies. It has been made by a team of more than 30 ex-services employees and each poppy represents a soldier from Uttoxeter and the villages surrounding JCB’s HQ in Staffordshire who gave who gave their life in the conflict.
In addition, a moving pictorial roll of honour standing 25 feet high and 40 feet wide bearing 50 photographs of JCB employees’ relatives who served in World War One has been put on public display at the company’s HQ.
The company has also auctioned a 16C-1 mini excavator in poppy livery (pictured) for the Royal British Legion, which has raised £25,500. It was bought by JCB customer Arnold Plant Hire Limited, of Stockport.
The auction total was announced by JCB Chairman Lord Bamford as the company recently hosted the Staffordshire Poppy Appeal Launch at its World HQ in Staffordshire. The art installation and special roll of honour were also unveiled at the event, which was attended by Chelsea Pensioners.
Lord Bamford said: “As a nation we must never forget the debt we owe to the Great War generation, and this year is our opportunity to say ‘Thank You’. Many people who work at JCB had forebears who fought, and in many cases died, in World War One. So many families were torn apart by that awful conflict, so it’s important that we not only say thank you, but that we also do no forget.”
Members of the public are welcome to visit JCB World Headquarters to view the art installation and Roll of Honour from Monday October 29th to Friday November 9th (weekdays only).
Limited edition replica porcelain poppies to commemorate each of the 255 Uttoxeter, Rocester and Denstone people who lost their lives in World War One are available to buy (£25 each) at JCB World Headquarters shop. All the proceeds will go to The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
