Airborne soldier statue unveiled in Colchester

A life-sized bronze statue of a soldier in full parachute kit has been unveiled in Colchester.

The statue of the soldier, which looks ready to jump into action, marks 25 years of 16 Air Assault Brigade being based at the city's Merville Barracks.

Troops alongside civic dignitaries, veterans and the public were on parade for the unveiling on Friday on Flagstaff Road.

Brig Ed Cartwright, commander of the brigade, said the statue "gives a focal point" for people to reflect on what it has achieved.

Brig Ed Cartwright said the statue represented a "strong bond" with people of the city [LAURA FOSTER/BBC]

He added that the statue celebrated "the strong bonds between the city and its airborne soldiers".

The brigade has been based in Colchester since 2000 and deployed from there on operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Sudan, Turkey, and Tristan da Cunha.

It was granted the Freedom of Colchester in 2008.

The Mayor of Colchester, Andrew Ellis, said: "This remarkable statue is a deeply moving tribute to the courage, commitment, and sacrifice of our airborne soldiers, and to the families who stand beside them."

Money for the statue was gathered by fundraising activities and donations from serving soldiers, veterans and the public.

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