Type=image;ImageID=15489;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=One of the benches in Tettenhall;TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=15490;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=In Wednesfield;TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=15491;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Outside St Peter's;TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=15492;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=In Bilston;TitleClass=strong;
The steel benches, depicting poppies and silhouettes of soldiers on the battlefields, have been fitted in key locations in Wolverhampton, Bilston, Tettenhall and Wednesfield.
Three benches are in Wolverhampton, with two outside St Peter's Collegiate Church - one by the Cenotaph and a second by the war memorial gardens - and a third at the Interchange.
Benches have also been installed either side of the Oxford Street war memorial in Bilston, and at Upper and Lower Green in Tettenhall, with another two at the St Thomas Memorial Gardens and on High Street in Wednesfield.
On each bench is a plaque which reads: "Placed here on behalf of the people of the City of Wolverhampton to commemorate 100 years since the end of World War One and to remember those who served. 1918-2018."
The benches were commissioned by the City of Wolverhampton Council and produced by David Ogilvie Engineering. The benches have a 20 year life span with some replacing existing benches which will be taken away for refurbishment.
Councillor Linda Leach, chair of the City of Wolverhampton Council's Remembrance Committee, said: "It's incredibly important that we as a City remember the sacrifices made by those who gave their lives during the First World War to ensure our peace and freedom.
"We hope the benches will provide a place for people to spend time to reflect, remember and give thanks."
Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Philip Page added: "The First World War touched every family in Wolverhampton, and these benches are a poignant reminder of what the country went through during those incredibly dark days a century ago."
Peter Murphy, President of the Bilston branch of the Royal British Legion, said: "The Royal British Legion is pleased to be supporting this important initiative which will provide a long-lasting memorial to those who fought and died in the First World War."
The installation of the benches is one of dozens of activities taking place in Wolverhampton over the coming months to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
They are being organised by the City of Wolverhampton Council and partner organisations across the City and include events, exhibitions, displays and services of remembrance.
More information about the commemorations will be announced in the coming weeks, with a dedicated website detailing the many activities taking place locally being developed which will enable organisations and individuals to share their events.
Wolverhampton is a signatory of the Armed Forces Community Covenant, a pledge of mutual support between the city and its Armed Forces community. For details, please visit Type=articles;Articleid=4568;Title=Help for the Armed Forces community;.
- released: Friday 8 June, 2018