The Queen is this week due to unveil a memorial made by a Westbury stonemason, in memory of those killed whilst serving with the The Duke Of Lancaster’s Regiment.
Nick Johnson of Westbury stonemasons, Young Johnson, was contacted directly by the The Duke Of Lancaster’s Regiment and was asked to build the regiment memorial, which is to be unveiled by the Queen at the National Memorial Arboretum this week.
Speaking before the official unveiling, Nick told the White Horse News, “I’m one of two or three memorial stonemasons that are approved and recommended by the National Memorial Arboretum so when they contacted me, I was very pleased. These memorials are very prestigious so I’m always honoured to be asked. This is my 30th memorial and will be unveiled by the Queen herself so it’s very special.”
The regimental memorial commemorates those who have died whilst serving with the regiment since its formation 10 years ago.
Nick said, “It’s taken 18 months to build, so it’s a long process. I met with the regiment first to come up with ideas and discuss what they would like the memorial to be like.
“The regiment are known as the ‘Lions of England’ and because they refer to their ‘Ancient Royal Badge’ as the ‘Lion’, they wanted the memorial to reflect the significance of the lion.
“The base of the memorial is a carving of the head and shoulders of a solider in battle, wearing camouflage and seated on top is a three-metre bronze lion, made by Georgie Welch from Chippenham, that took 24 weeks to make.
“I’ve never met the Queen before, I’ve met most of her family, but never Her Majesty. I’m very much looking forward to meeting her and I’d like to wish her a happy birthday.
“Each one of the memorials are special and I’m always humbled to be a part of it.”
