Sculpture at Port of Dover celebrates VE Day and the pioneering history of radar

A poignant new art installation has been unveiled at the paying tribute to the anniversaries of Victory in Europe Day, which falls on the 8th May, and the birth of radar . The sculpture, a joint effort by the charity and artist Martin Barraud, stands as a testament to a pivotal early technological advancement.

Titled Echoes, the artwork takes inspiration from the acoustic sound mirrors that were erected in the 1930s and were once dotted England's south coast. Known as 'listening ears', these structures provided early warnings of enemy aircraft and airships poised to attack coastal communities.

Artist Martin Barraud said: “I wanted to create a piece that celebrated this period of great British ingenuity and scientific advancement, while at the same time honouring those that gave so much in the contribution to victory in Europe.” Visitors can still spot some of the original acoustic sound mirrors along the southern shores of England.

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Reflecting on the significance of the anniversaries, Chief of the General Staff, Lord Dannatt GCB, CBE, MC, DL, who is also a patron of RBLI, said: “As we approach these significant anniversaries, one cannot help but draw striking parallels between the Europe of the 1930s and the challenges we face as a nation and continent today."

He added: “ our forebears made difficult, but important, decisions regarding investment in defence of the realm. Like today, those choices were made at a politically and economically challenging time for the nation. It is clear in my mind that without radar, the Britain of today could have been a very different place."

The striking sculpture is free to view and open to the public from Wednesday 16th April throughout the summer.

The RBLI commissioned the artwork as part of its VE Day Tommy campaign, which aims to fund 100 new homes for at its Industries Village in Aylesford, Kent.

The site is currently home to more than 300 veterans and their families, but the village is operating at full capacity. In the last 12 months alone, there has been a 45% increase in requests and referrals for emergency veteran accommodation.

As part of the campaign, the charity is also encouraging the public to support the cause by purchasing a with all funds directly contributing to housing vulnerable members of the veteran community.

Lisa Farmer OBE, the chief executive of RBLI, has expressed her commitment to veterans, stating: “Our enduring mission to support and care for those affected by, not just the Second World War, but by all conflict continues to this day.

“That we are still fortunate enough to have some veterans of that awful conflict still with us today is incredible and cause for celebration.

“Through Echoes, we hope that as people commemorate this important year, they will also reflect on the vital role RBLI plays in providing housing for veterans of all ages at our village in Aylesford, Kent.”