CWGF announces exciting partnership with Stanley Biggs Clothiers

We are delighted to announce a Commercial Participator Partnership with Stanley Biggs Clothiers.

Support the Foundation with limited edition prints

Image: Buy your print and help support the CWGF

Stanley Biggs Clothiers has created a limited-edition artwork, designed by the hugely talented artist and illustrator Tim Godden.

The artwork depicts Private Stanley Biggs, the soldier behind the brand’s name, as he would have been at the Battle of Arnhem during the ill-fated Operation Market Garden.

Each detail has been captured from his uniform to the location to bring Stanley to life.

Prints cost £25. For each sold, the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation will receive £5.

Prints are strictly limited to 45 editions. Each has been signed by the artist.

Visit Stanley Biggs Clothiers to get your print before they run out!

The Story of Stanley Biggs

Private Stanley Douglas Biggs served in the 181 Airlanding Field Ambulance unit as part of the Royal Army Medical Corps.

Stanley landed with his unit by glider on the 17^th of September 1944 as part of the Operation Market Garden Landings.

Operation Market Garden was at that point the largest airborne operation in history. The Allies hoped to capture numerous bridges and towns in the southern Netherlands. In doing so, it was expected would be able to cross the Rhine and head into Germany.

As we know, the operation was not a success. Many British airborne troops were cut off as reinforcements failed to reach them. Fighting was particularly hard in the town of Arnhem and the nearby village of Oosterbeek.

The British airborne troops alone took more than 13,000 casualties. Including Commonwealth, Polish, and American troops, over 17,000 were killed, captured, or wounded during Operation Market Garden.

Stanley Biggs was one of these men. He died on the 25^th of September 1944. Today, he is commemorated alongside around 1,500 casualties from the Battle for Arnhem at Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery.

In memory of Stanley Biggs and the fallen of Market Garden, Sophie Bainbridge created the clothiers.

Sophie was inspired by a 2011 visit to Oosterbeek War Cemetery. Despite no prior connection to the Battle of Arnhem, Sophie was inspired by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery.

It’s the job of the Commission to ensure all the dead from the World Wars are given an appropriate burial or commemoration if the casualty has no known grave.

Each headstone in Oosterbeek War Cemetery bears the name of one of the fallen. Inspired, Sophie began her own research into Operation Market Garden.

When it came to choosing the name to represent her vintage-inspired fashions and pieces, for Sophie there was only one clear choice: Stanley Biggs.

Today, Stanley Biggs Clothiers continues to pay tribute to his and his comrades’ memory. The delightful clothing Sophie and her team create is unapologetically inspired by the casual wear of the 1940s.

Visit Stanley Biggs Clothiers to see more.

The Commonwealth War Graves Foundation keeps their stories alive – and you can help us

As the charitable wing of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the Foundation is dedicated to spreading awareness of the stories of our fallen.

It’s our job to help keep their memories alive so we may always remember the sacrifices made by men and women of the Commonwealth during wartime.

As well as purchasing your limited-edition Stanley Biggs artwork, you can help us keep their memories alive in different ways.

Why not make a donation?

Alternatively, become a CWGF member and enjoy exclusive benefits while helping support our work.

We are also always open to discussing new Commercial Participator Partnerships. Learn more about how you can work with us here.