The Slayer of Belleros unveiled before 1,000 solders at 16 Air Assault Brigade’s Colchester headquarters

Pegasus statue celebrates Airborne past, present and future . Picture: CPL GEORGINA COUPE (Image: MoD Crown Copyright)

And this week, more than 1,000 soldiers past and present gathered at the headquarters of 16 Air Assault Brigade at Merville Barracks in Colchester for the unveiling of a two metre high bronze statue of Bellerophon and Pegasus.

The mythical pair, who according to legend defeated the monstrous fire-breathing Chimera, have featured on the insignia of the nation’s parachute regiments, ever since the Second World War.

It is hoped the sculpture will serve as a reminder to the airborne soldiers of today about the proud history they represent and the standards that have been set for them to uphold.

Representatives from all the brigade’s units went on parade on Wednesday for its unveiling.

Pony on parade at the statue's unveiling. Picture: CPL GEORGINA COUPE (Image: MoD Crown Copyright)

Entitled The Slayer of Belleros and sculpted by Amy Goodman, it depicts the warrior poised to strike as his winged horse lands.

It was unveiled by the brigade’s two youngest soldiers alongside David Whiteman, who served at Arnhem in September 1944 with 181 Airlanding Field Ambulance, and Sophie Lambrechtsten, daughter of the famous “Angel of Arnhem” Kate Ter Horst.

The project has been funded through fundraising activities by soldiers, such as a sponsored half marathon held at Merville Barracks, and charitable donations.

Brigadier Colin Weir, commander of 16 Air Asslt Bde, said: “As an armed man being delivered into battle by air, Pegasus defines the history of airborne forces and the current role of 16 Air Assault Brigade as the Army’s very high readiness formation.

Brigadier Weir addresses troops on parade Pegasus statue celebrates Airborne past, present and future Soldiers past and present joined together for the unveiling of a statue of Pegasus, the defining symbol of British Airborne Forces. The sculpture, standing outside the headquarters of 16 Air Assault Brigade at Merville Barracks in Colchester, serves as a reminder to todays airborne soldiers of the proud history that they represent and the standards that have been set for them to uphold. Some 1,000 soldiers from all the Brigades units were on parade today (*Wed 3 May*) for the unveiling of the 2m-high bronze statue, which depicts the warrior Bellerophon poised to strike as the winged horse Pegasus lands. The statue entitled The Slayer of Belleros and sculpted by Amy Goodman was unveiled by the Brigades two youngest soldiers alongside Arnhem veteran David Whiteman and Sophie Lambrechtsten, daughter of the famous 'Angel of Arnhem' Kate Ter Horst. The Band of The Parachute Regiment set the day to (Image: MoD Crown Copyright)

“The unveiling of this magnificent statue has given us a moment to gather together as a Brigade and reflect on our history and identity, with the presence of David Whiteman and Sophie Lambrechtsten providing a living link to the Second World War Arnhem campaign.

The present character of 16 Air Assault Brigade has shaped by the lessons and past experiences of Airborne Forces, which set the standards we will aspire to achieve on future operations.”

16 Air Assault Brigade is the British Army’s airborne rapid reaction force, specially trained and equipped to deploy by parachute, helicopter and airlanding.