Sculptor pays tribute to the war's reserve occupations

A BLACK Country-based sculptor has unveiled a moving sculpture honouring reserved occupationists who served during World War Two.

- JAMIE BRASSINGTON News Reporter

The 12ft-tall metal sculpture has been made by Luke Perry and is due to be unveiled in the grounds of St Luke's Church in Cradley Heath on Remembrance Sunday.

Mr Perry said the sculpture aims to honour “hero” workers from World War II who served in vital occupations at home - such as in engineering or manufacturing roles.

He said these people were “very much overlooked” for their contributions to the war effort and “even ridiculed” for not serving in combat roles.

The 42-year-old was inspired to create the sculpture, titled Fighting From Home, by his grandad Eric Attwood who was a chain maker and a reserved occupationist. Mr Perry said: “I grew up in an area which was very industrial and I was very familiar with my grandparents, they were really nice and I knew all of their friends.

“A lot of them were working people who talked about their time during the war in a very different way than others.