The highly regarded ‘Standing with Giants’ installation will return to the British Normandy Memorial in advance of the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. The giant silhouettes are set to grace the meadow fields of the British Normandy Memorial once again, following the overwhelming response to the ambitious and captivating project by the Standing with Giants charity in the previous year.
In 2024, it was reported that nearly a quarter of a million individuals visited the Memorial, many of whom experienced the profound impact of the 1,475 silhouettes of servicemen, positioned with heads bowed on the hillside overlooking Gold Beach, each representing a life lost on D-Day, 6 June 1944. In this commemorative year of VE Day 80, the figures will symbolize the complex emotions encountered by many after the Second World War in Europe—joy that the conflict has ended, alongside the enduring sorrow for absent loved ones who did not return. The revival of the Giants installation has been facilitated by generous sponsorship from the Normandy Memorial Trust's partners: BAE Systems, KPMG, and Teledyne FLIR.
Furthermore, the Gold Beach Tourism Office has collaborated with the Normandy Memorial Trust to assist with the installation's costs and to promote the event across Normandy and the broader French context.
This year's installation will comprise approximately 200 new figures among the 1,475 total, including representations of radio operators, medics, and a Scotsman playing the bagpipes. Additionally, bespoke figures will be created to honour the only two women memorialized, nurses Sisters Evershed and Field, who perished while saving 75 individuals from a sinking hospital ship, as well as 50 French resistance fighters, who will be positioned around the French Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer.
On 28 March, four articulated lorries with flatbed trailers will embark from Portsmouth Harbour, following visits to Blenheim Palace (approximately 11:30 - 13:30) and Fort Nelson (ceremony at 15:30). The journey, supported by a dedicated team of volunteers, is slated to culminate in the completed installation, which will be open for public viewing from 12 April until mid-September 2025.
"In this significant year marking the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of the Second World War, I am pleased to announce that the 'Standing with Giants' installation will return to the British Normandy Memorial. The 1,475 giant silhouettes of British soldiers, sailors, and airmen in the wildflower meadow above Gold Beach serve as a compelling reminder of the sacrifices made for our freedoms. Last year's display touched the hearts of many, and I am hopeful that even more visitors will engage with the installation this year and reflect on its meaning."
— Lord Richard Dannatt, Chairman of the Trust
"During last year’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the Standing with Giants silhouettes provided a poignant visual representation of the sacrifices made by countless members of the British Armed Forces. As a leading employer of veterans in the UK, we are proud to support the Normandy Memorial Trust in facilitating the return of this important display to the beaches of Normandy for the VE-80 remembrance, serving as a lasting tribute to those courageous individuals who fought to liberate Europe during World War II."
— Caitlin Hayden, Group Communications Director, BAE Systems
"The entire Standing with Giants team has been profoundly moved by the international reaction to our initiative. This year, we are introducing nine new figures to replace several hundred of our original silhouettes, enhancing the tribute with representations such as radio operators, medics, and a Scotsman playing the bagpipes. We are honoured to once again commend these heroes in Normandy during this momentous year celebrating 80 years of Victory in Europe."
— Dan Barton, Founder of the Standing with Giants charity
