Honouring

Today's shot was taken in The Garden Of Honour at the Royal British Legion Village just around the corner from home. It has been the source of many a previous blip image and I always find it such a calm, moving and contemplative place to visit. 
Creating the garden began in 2014, replacing a much smaller garden that had been on the site, to mark the centenary of the First World War and to become a permanent and fitting national memorial to the dedication, bravery and sacrifice made by our military personnel.
It has a bandstand, parade ground, amphitheatre seating, memorial square and an undercover area of raised gardens and flowerbeds. It is used as a location for events throughout the year, with particular focus on days of national and local remembrance, as well as being a place of reflection.
The silhouetted figure in my image is an Unknown Tommy statue, which are actually made by veterans in a nearby factory. The origin of the word Tommy is widely disputed, the most common interpretation is that the term comes from Tommy Atkins, which is slang for a common soldier in the British Army. The term Tommy was established during the 19th Century, but is particularly associated with the First World War. It looked especially dramatic today as those storm clouds passed overhead.