Hawks Memorial (14th/20th Kings Hussars)

Sculpture details

Artist: Alan Williams
Year: 2023
Commission / type: Commissioned memorial
Dimensions: H 250 × W 110 × D 35 cm
Display / installation: Permanent installation at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire
Current location / status: Permanently installed and on display

Hawks Memorial (14th/20th Kings Hussars) metal sculpture by Alan Williams

About the work

The Hawks Memorial was commissioned in 2023 for the 14th/20th Kings Hussars and is permanently installed at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. The sculpture recreates the Prussian Eagle used as the regiment’s cap badge.

Materials for the work were donated by mechanics and engineers from army barracks. Alan also credits Darren and Rachel Walker for their hard work and fundraising in making the memorial possible. Posts and newsletters relating to the project exist and can be added as supporting evidence when the links are supplied.

Materials and construction

The eyes use marching-band trombone mouthpieces, the wings use retired tools, and nuts and bolts from engineers’ scrap bins form the back of the sculpture. Other materials include motorbike sprockets, chain and cutlery.

The emblem was constructed in two halves and secured around a 50 mm Perspex dowel fixed inside a granite obelisk. Alan installed the sculptural emblem himself.