Saunton beach marks the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day with a special event on Sunday which will see a large scale portrait of a casualty from the First World War appear in the sand - only to be washed away as the tide comes in.
Pages of the Sea is a nationwide project being overseen by Danny Boyle, who has been commissioned to celebrate the occasion.
The Oscar-winning director specifically requested that Saunton be the flagship location for the Devon event, based on fond memories of holidaying there as a child.
The large-scale portrait will be etched in the sand using stencils that have been specially designed by sand artists, Sand In Your Eye.
Captain Ralph Cumine-Robson of the Royal Engineers will be drawn in the sand at Saunton.
He was killed in action near Neuve Chapelle, France, on December 23 1914 and was buried at the Estaires Cemetery.
Poet Carol Ann Duffy has written a poem for the occasion, which will be read by individuals, families and communities as they gather on beaches across the country.
The organisers are also calling on the public to join in and create silhouettes of people in the sand, remembering the millions of lives lost or changed forever by the conflict.
Mr Boyle said: "Beaches are truly public spaces, where nobody rules other than the tide.
"They seem the perfect place to gather and say a final goodbye and thank you to those whose lives were taken or forever changed by the First World War.
"I'm inviting people to watch as the faces of the fallen are etched in the sand, and for communities to come together to remember the sacrifices that were made."
Paul Tamlyn, from Saunton Beach Enterprises, which manages the beach, said: "It is an honour to be asked to host this event and we hope that it will be an occasion for local people to turn out and remember the contribution North Devon made to the First World War in a very unique and spectacular way.
"Many family trees are marked by loss and injury as a result of members going off to France to do their bit for the war effort and this will be a moment to reflect and celebrate their contribution."
The car park will be donating a percentage of takings from the day to veterans' charities.
A spokesperson from Christie Estates, which owns the beach, said, “This is a very special event and we are proud to give our support.
"Hundreds of young men from the local area and around North Devon enlisted during the First World War and many didn't return and their contribution should never be forgotten.
"The Pages of the Sea event will serve as a time for reflection and commemoration of the sacrifice they made.
"The dramatic backdrop of Saunton, which has its own special place in history in the build up to D-Day, will add a real poignancy to the occasion.”
Pages of the Sea is calling for local volunteers to help in return for travel expenses and refreshments.
Saunton's Surf Lifesaving Club will serve as the project's HQ for the weekend.