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WW1 replacement tribute for veterans on display

Poppy Appeal Credit: PA

A decommissioned artillery shell that's replacing a long-lost tribute to veterans of the First World War has gone on display at a brewery in Dudley.

It's being showcased at Shell Corner at the Fixed Wheel Brewery in Halesowen, nearly a hundred years after the previous tribute was put up to help raise money for wounded troops.

The campaign to return the shell to the community has been led by local councillor Stuart Henley. Some say it was originally a German trophy of war.

Now staff at Halesowen College have hand-painted the shell, ready for a possible local permanent place of remembrance, should planning permission get approval next year.

The shell proved too heavy to move locations on wheels so instead it was pushed half a mile in a supermarket trolley up to the brewery. Watch the video of volunteers doing their bit for the campaign below.

"There are various different stories about its history but it was put there as a collection post for people who needed support.... We had to push it half a mile in a supermarket cage up to the brewery.

I am meeting a contractor in the New Year to build the plinth, which will double up as a seat. The college have done a great job of painting the shell and when it is in place it will hopefully be a local focus for Remembrance Day".

– Local councillor Stuart Henley