Wojtek Memorial Trust

[3] The memorial takes the form of a life and a quarter bronze statue of a Polish soldier with Wojtek, and a 4m low relief pictorial panel set on a granite platform.

Planting behind the panel of beech and hawthorn reflects the flora of the country lanes in Berwickshire, where Wojtek lived at Winfield Camp.. Hawthorn is the symbol of love and beech is the symbol of prosperity and friendship The artistry of the sculpture is appreciated from Princes Street looking down into the gardens; at the terrace level as a walking encounter with the bear and his keeper; and looking up from the lower path to see the statue in a natural elevation.

Furthermore, the aspect to the castle is reminiscent of that which faced the soldiers at the final Battle of Monte Cassino in May 1944 as they fought their way up the slopes assisted by Wojtek.

The single sand over-check is a reminder of the desert lands of the Middle East and of Wojtek’s soft brown fur.

Within the tartan design it is symbolically placed in the heart of the Scottish Borders green, representing where both the Polish soldiers and Wojtek found friendship and a new homeland.