Led by a saluting Scottish soldier in kilt and Glengarry, the mysterious little army marches across the hillside in their uniforms.
But the riddle of their origin has now been solved – they were knitted by their creator as a tribute to family members who served in the First and Second World Wars.
Frances Oates made the woollen dolls, which appeared on a hillside in Beith, Ayrshire, in their honour to mark Remembrance Day.
She decided to knit them last year as a challenge and to take her mind off her breast cancer treatment.
Leader: Scots soldier in kilt and Glengarry salutes
Intricate detail: Each doll features delicate touches such as the sailor’s kit bag, the pilot’s scarf and soldier’s rifle
She said: ‘I needed something to keep my mind and fingers active. I’m doing really well and can’t complain but I needed to keep busy.’
There is a sailor, complete with a tiny Royal Navy badge on his hat, a nurse dressed in the instantly recognisable white apron with a red cross and the
saluting Highland soldier.
Mrs Oates used 1940s Women’s Institute patterns to create the dolls and then painstakingly designed and made the individual uniforms.
Sudden arrival: The figures have turned up on a small hill in Beith
The figures are full of detail including rifles with bayonets, gas mask boxes, Women’s Land Army armbands and pilots’ life jackets.
Helen McNaughton, chair of the Beith and District Community Council, said: ‘Frances works tirelessly for the town and brings much happiness to the community, we can’t thank her enough.’
Content source – www.soundhealthandlastingwealth.com
