Wipers

Wipers is a bronze cast from an original sculpture by Charles Sargeant Jagger. The original figure is part of the War Memorial for Hoylake and West Kirby, Cheshire, England created in 1922.

The title refers to the name given by servicemen to the town of Ypres, close to where many fought and died in horrific conditions. The sculpture depicts a war-toughened British infantry soldier standing guard with standard issue .303 rifle, bayonet fixed. He is dressed for winter and has a gas mask around his neck. Bullets have left their mark on his helmet. A German helmet is placed at his feet.

Jagger was a British sculptor who served with the Artists’ Rifles during the First World War. He served in the Worcestershire Regiment at Gallipoli and on the Western Front, and was awarded a Military Cross for gallantry. Following the war he worked on many war memorials.