The impressive War Memorial Monument which stands proudly in the center of Londonderry's Walled City area, at The Diamond, commands the attention of visitors to the City – and rightly so.
In two years' time the War Memorial will celebrate its centenary as the focal point in the city when it comes to remembering the many hundreds of young men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice, fighting in the world wars. The monument, originally created to mark the sacrifice of men from the city in the First World War, was unveiled in June 1927 and a total of 756 names recorded on the memorials tablets.
But, did you know that miniatures of the huge bronzes in The Diamond, also exist? The scale models, also cast in bronze, are housed in the 'museum room' of St Columb's Cathedral, and are on show for viewing.
The miniatures were designed and cast by sculptor Vernon March, who was the youngest child of a family of artists. In his day he exhibited a total of seven times at the Exhibition of the Royal Academy of Arts.
So, if like me you would like to get a better look at the sculptures, why not nip into the Cathedral and get up close and personal with the miniatures – they are exquisite, and they are just one of scores of fabulous unique artefacts in St Columb's Cathedral.