Former mayor of Sawbridgeworth donates silent soldier silhouette ‘Tommy’ to High Wych

Villagers have a permanent reminder of the sacrifices the armed forces made when Europe was freed from the Nazis in the Second World War thanks to a generous donation.

Former Sawbridgeworth town councillor and mayor Derek Filler presented a ‘Tommy’ – a silent soldier silhouette – to High Wych to mark June’s 80th anniversary of D-Day. It has been placed next to a plaque outside the village memorial hall.

Derek decided to pay for a ‘Tommy’ and donate it to High Wych after having one installed outside Sawbridgeworth Town Council’s offices at Sayesbury Manor when he was mayor in 2011-12.

A village spokesperson offered their “heartfelt thanks” for Derek’s “generosity and kindness”.

The 83-year-old told the Indie: “It’s important we don’t forget. We’ve got a lot to thank those men and women for.”