Retired mechanic creates tin Tommy sculpture to commemorate Armistice Day

A retired mechanic from Selston in Nottinghamshire has made a tin Tommy to commemorate Armistice Day. 

David Whitehouse was inspired to create the soldier sculpture by the death of his grandmother's twin brother, who fought in France in the Great War but never came home.

The tin soldier was crafted from scrap sheet roofing metal and represents a private from World War One.

During lockdown, Mr Whitehouse experimented with metal sculpture and created a lifesize tin angel.

'It's a blend of personal passion because his grandma's twin brother never came back from World War One,' says local councillor David Martin

It was spotted by a local councillor, David Martin, who asked him to create a memorial for Remembrance Day.

Mr Martin said: "It's a marvellous, inspiring thing, really thoughtful and creative."

Mr Whitehouse said: "It all came from my head, there were no plans or drawings to work from and it was all done by hand, no power tools involved."

The tin Tommy will be the focus of commemorations at the war memorials in Selston and Jacksdale this Sunday.