COMMEMORATIVE Tommy figures have been installed by an ex-army site manager in Barratt David Wilson Homes show home gardens .

Assistant site manager Trevor Hopkins, who is managing the construction at Canalside, Wichelstowe on the edge of Swindon, served for 23 years with the royal tank regiment before joining Barratt Developments through the company’s Armed Forces Transition Programme.

He served in Iraq during the 2003 invasion, Kosovo and Afghanistan and said it was a great honour to install the figures in the firm's show home gardens in Wiltshire and the South West.

Trevor Hopkins, assistant site manager at Canalside said: “It’s a real honour to be able to put the Tommy figure in pride of place in our show home garden at Canalside, Wichelstowe.

“I’ve been very fortunate to start a new career after a long and varied career in the army, but it’s not always an easy transition for everyone."

The housebuilder is the first corporate patron of the new Tommy Club, a fundraising initiative launched by the Royal British Legion Industries charity to raise money to support armed forces veterans. “The RBLI does fantastic work improving the lives of people who have given so much and we’re proud to be able to support their work.”

Barratt Homes has donated £100,000 to the Tommy Club and has purchased 300 full size Tommy figures to show their support for the charity.

The Tommy Club is a membership organisation with all money raised going to help veterans of all ages to gain independence and overcome challenges including mental and physical disability.

Andrea Pilgrim, sales director at Barratt Homes Bristol said: “We’re incredibly proud to be the first corporate sponsor of the Tommy Club. We have been really moved and impressed by the amazing work the RBLI does providing rehabilitation centres, adapted apartments, nursing care, employment opportunities and emergency accommodation for homeless veterans.”

“This is a cause we know is important to lots of our staff, many of whom have proud military careers themselves, and to our home buyers. We hope that by installing these iconic figures in our show home gardens we can inspire more people to join Tommy Club. “

The term Tommy was coined during WWI when German soldiers would call out to ‘Tommy’ across No Man’s Land if they wanted to speak to a British soldier. The Tommy figure has become a symbol commemorating those who have served in the armed forces.

Each garden Tommy is put together by veterans working for the RBLI’s unique social enterprise Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, which creates more jobs for ex-armed forces personnel and raises crucial funds for the charity. The RBLI has been providing jobs, homes, and mental health support for ex services personnel throughout the worst of the current pandemic.

Louise Ware, sales director at David Wilson Homes South West added: “The work the RBLI does is invaluable in helping these brave ex-service men and women lead normal lives.”

“When we heard about this new fundraising initiative by the RBLI we immediately wanted to be a part of the Tommy Club. These impressive Tommy figures will not only act as a reminder of the debt of gratitude we owe these veterans but also highlight the great work the charity does.”