Private John Parr was killed in a skirmish with German troops in Belgium on August 21, 1914, when he was just 17. A Tommy silhouette sculpture had been installed previously — but was uprooted by thieves in 2024. “It was deeply saddening to hear about the theft of the Tommy sculpture,” said Barnet mayor Cllr Danny Rich. Martin Russell, the King’s representative Deputy Lieutenant of the London Borough of Barnet, said: “John Parr was the first of many local lads to die in the Great War. “Regrettably this silhouette was damaged and illegally removed last year.”Plaque to John Parr... first soldier killed in 1914 (Image: Barnet LB)The new bench bears a plaque saying: “Remembering Private John Parr and other local dead of the Great War.

Source: The Times November 07, 2025 16:13 UTC