National Memorial Arboretum
Encyclopedia
The National Memorial Arboretum is a national site of remembrance at Alrewas
, near Lichfield
, Staffordshire
, England. It gives its purpose as:
and is managed by The Royal British Legion
.
on approximately 150 acre (0.607029 km²; 0.234375207228268 sq mi) of old gravel workings, 5 miles (8 km) north of Lichfield
, Staffordshire
. It is adjacent to the confluence of the River Tame
with the River Trent
, and directly neighbouring Croxall Lakes
. It is situated at the western end of the National Forest
, just off the A38 road
.
There are over 150 memorials and plots for the armed forces, civilian organisations and voluntary bodies who have played a part in serving the country; and even HMS Amethyst's cat
. A number of corporate war memorials - from British banks, building societies, and insurance companies - are also located in the grounds. At the heart of the Arboretum is the Armed Forces Memorial, which is a tribute to almost 16,000 service personnel who have lost their lives in conflict or as a result of terrorism since the end of the Second World War. At 11am on 11 November each year the sun shines through two slits in the outer and inner walls of the memorial, casting a shaft of light across a wreath in the centre.
Within the Arboretum is the Millennium Chapel of Peace and Forgiveness where, at 11am each day, an act of remembrance takes place. Following the two minutes silence, accompanied by the Last Post
and Reveille
, there is an introductory talk about the Arboretum.
The Armed Forces Memorial
was dedicated in October 2007 by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the presence of the Queen.
In 2010, the Volunteers of the National Memorial Arboretum were awarded The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service
,
the highest award that any voluntary group can received, equivalent to the MBE
.
Alrewas
Alrewas is a large village and civil parish within Lichfield District, in Staffordshire, England. It lies on the A38 road, approximately 5 miles north of Lichfield...
, near Lichfield
Lichfield
Lichfield is a cathedral city, civil parish and district in Staffordshire, England. One of eight civil parishes with city status in England, Lichfield is situated roughly north of Birmingham...
, Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
, England. It gives its purpose as:
Origins
The idea for the Arboretum was conceived by David Childs in 1988. He believed that it would form a living tribute to service men and women for future generations to reflect upon and enjoy. The Arboretum was officially opened on 16 May 2001. It is a registered charityCharitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
and is managed by The Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion , sometimes referred to as simply The Legion, is the United Kingdom's leading charity providing financial, social and emotional support to those who have served or who are currently serving in the British Armed Forces, and their dependants.-History:The British Legion was...
.
Location
The Arboretum is situated just south of the village of AlrewasAlrewas
Alrewas is a large village and civil parish within Lichfield District, in Staffordshire, England. It lies on the A38 road, approximately 5 miles north of Lichfield...
on approximately 150 acre (0.607029 km²; 0.234375207228268 sq mi) of old gravel workings, 5 miles (8 km) north of Lichfield
Lichfield
Lichfield is a cathedral city, civil parish and district in Staffordshire, England. One of eight civil parishes with city status in England, Lichfield is situated roughly north of Birmingham...
, Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
. It is adjacent to the confluence of the River Tame
River Tame, West Midlands
The River Tame is the main river of the West Midlands, and the most important tributary of the River Trent. The Tame is about 40 km from source at Oldbury to its confluence with the Trent near Alrewas, but the main river length of the entire catchment, i.e...
with the River Trent
River Trent
The River Trent is one of the major rivers of England. Its source is in Staffordshire on the southern edge of Biddulph Moor. It flows through the Midlands until it joins the River Ouse at Trent Falls to form the Humber Estuary, which empties into the North Sea below Hull and Immingham.The Trent...
, and directly neighbouring Croxall Lakes
Croxall Lakes
Croxall Lakes is a nature reserve located between the villages of Croxall and Alrewas, Staffordshire, in the United Kingdom. The nature reserve comprises two lakes and grassland between them. The lakes were formed through the quarrying of sand and gravel deposits, these excavations subsequently...
. It is situated at the western end of the National Forest
National Forest, England
The National Forest is one of England’s most ambitious environmental projects. Across parts of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire, are being transformed, blending ancient woodland with new planting to create a new national forest...
, just off the A38 road
A38 road
The A38, part of which is also known as the Devon Expressway, is a major A-class trunk road in England.The road runs from Bodmin in Cornwall to Mansfield in Nottinghamshire. It is long, making it one of the longest A-roads in England. It was formerly known as the Leeds — Exeter Trunk Road,...
.
Features
The Arboretum contains over 50,000 trees, with more being added each year.There are over 150 memorials and plots for the armed forces, civilian organisations and voluntary bodies who have played a part in serving the country; and even HMS Amethyst's cat
Simon (cat)
Simon was the ship's cat who served on the Royal Navy sloop HMS Amethyst. In 1949, during the Yangtze Incident, he received the PDSA's Dickin Medal after surviving injuries from a cannon shell, raising morale, and killing off a rat infestation during his service.-Origin:Simon was found wandering...
. A number of corporate war memorials - from British banks, building societies, and insurance companies - are also located in the grounds. At the heart of the Arboretum is the Armed Forces Memorial, which is a tribute to almost 16,000 service personnel who have lost their lives in conflict or as a result of terrorism since the end of the Second World War. At 11am on 11 November each year the sun shines through two slits in the outer and inner walls of the memorial, casting a shaft of light across a wreath in the centre.
Within the Arboretum is the Millennium Chapel of Peace and Forgiveness where, at 11am each day, an act of remembrance takes place. Following the two minutes silence, accompanied by the Last Post
Last Post
The "Last Post" can be either a B♭ bugle call within British Infantry regiments or an E♭ cavalry trumpet call in British Cavalry and Royal Regiment of Artillery used at Commonwealth military funerals and ceremonies commemorating those who have been killed in war.The two regimental traditions have...
and Reveille
Reveille
"Reveille" is a bugle call, trumpet call or pipes call most often associated with the military or summer camp; it is chiefly used to wake military personnel at sunrise...
, there is an introductory talk about the Arboretum.
The Armed Forces Memorial
Armed Forces Memorial
The Armed Forces Memorial is a national memorial in the United Kingdom, dedicated to the 16,000 servicemen and women of the British Armed Forces killed on duty or through terrorist action since the Second World War.-History:...
was dedicated in October 2007 by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the presence of the Queen.
In 2010, the Volunteers of the National Memorial Arboretum were awarded The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service
Queen's Award for Voluntary Service
The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, also known as the The Queen's Golden Jubilee Award for Voluntary Service by Groups in the Community is an annual award given to groups in the voluntary sector of the United Kingdom. Winning groups are announced in the London Gazette on 2 June each year, the...
,
the highest award that any voluntary group can received, equivalent to the MBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
.
Descriptions of memorials
Some of the other features of the National Memorial Arboretum are described below.| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Association of Jewish Ex-Service Men and Women Made from Chinese granite and designed to give a different perspective when viewed from different angles, the Star of David memorial is dedicated to all members of the Jewish community who over the years have served Crown and country, and to the many who lost their lives in that service. |
|
| Berlin Airlift Monument The memorial is erected in tribute to those who took part in the Berlin Airlift Berlin Blockade The Berlin Blockade was one of the first major international crises of the Cold War and the first resulting in casualties. During the multinational occupation of post-World War II Germany, the Soviet Union blocked the Western Allies' railway and road access to the sectors of Berlin under Allied... , the operation to deliver food and supplies to a besieged Berlin, between June 1948 and May 1949. |
|
| Boys' Brigade The elements of this garden represent all parts of the UK and Ireland. The Boys’ Brigade Garden is designed as a place of quiet reflection and contemplation. Members and friends can remember those who have gone before, and who have served in the Brigade since 1883. Some 16 Victoria Crosses have been awarded to former and serving Brigade members. |
|
| Burma Railway The memorial is constructed from 30 metres of the original rails and sleepers used on the Burma Railway, which were brought to the Arboretum from Thailand in HMS Northumberland in 2002. The memorial is a permanent tribute to those who were forced to construct the infamous ‘Railway of Death’ and the benches and trees around the railway track have relevant dedications. The memorial was dedicated on 15 August 2002. |
|
| Commandos The Commandos British Commandos The British Commandos were formed during the Second World War in June 1940, following a request from the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, for a force that could carry out raids against German-occupied Europe... were formed by the Army in June 1940 as a well-armed but non-regimental raider force employing unconventional and irregular tactics to assault, disrupt and reconnoitre the enemy. This memorial consists of a reproduction of part of the Association badge – the wreath in copper and the Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife in stainless steel. The impressive piece was created at Anwick Forge in Lincolnshire. |
|
| Polar Bear Memorial The Polar Bear Association Memorial was the first monument and sculpture to be erected at the National Memorial Arboretum. It is a tribute to the 49th Infantry West Riding Division and was dedicated on 7 June 1998. Inheriting the fine reputation forged by its predecessor in The Great War, the Second World War found the 49th Infantry stationed in Iceland and because they were snowed in under 20 feet (6.1 m) of snow for most of the campaign, their commanding officer called the men ‘his Polar Bears’ and the Polar Bear Polar Bear The polar bear is a bear native largely within the Arctic Circle encompassing the Arctic Ocean, its surrounding seas and surrounding land masses. It is the world's largest land carnivore and also the largest bear, together with the omnivorous Kodiak Bear, which is approximately the same size... on a block of ice was soon adopted as their mascot and shoulder flash. Made from yellow hardwood, the bear is 9 ft (2.7 m) and 5 ft (1.5 m) and weighs 2.5 tonnes; it was created by the Essex Woodcarvers and took six men a year to carve. Inside the bear is a capsule containing the names of all the members of the 49th Division who did not come home, together with relevant letters and documents. |
|
| Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) The RNLI memorial has been landscaped as pebble, shingle and sand beach. The dramatic figure of a lifeboat man in his 19th-century oilskins and cork lifejacket was sculpted by Andrew Fitchett. |
|
| Shot at Dawn Shot at Dawn Memorial The Shot at Dawn Memorial is a British Monument at the National Memorial Arboretum near Alrewas, in Staffordshire, UK in memory of the 306 British and Commonwealth soldiers executed after courts-martial for cowardice and desertion during World War I... During the First World War some 306 British and Commonwealth soldiers were shot for desertion or cowardice; the real usual cause for their offences was post-traumatic stress syndrome and combat stress reaction Combat stress reaction Combat stress reaction , in the past commonly known as shell shock or battle fatigue, is a range of behaviours resulting from the stress of battle which decrease the combatant's fighting efficiency. The most common symptoms are fatigue, slower reaction times, indecision, disconnection from one's... . Most of them were sentenced after a short trial at which no real opportunity for defence was allowed. ‘Shot at Dawn Shot at Dawn Memorial The Shot at Dawn Memorial is a British Monument at the National Memorial Arboretum near Alrewas, in Staffordshire, UK in memory of the 306 British and Commonwealth soldiers executed after courts-martial for cowardice and desertion during World War I... ’ is modelled on Private Herbert Burden, of the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, who was shot at Ypres in 1915 aged 17. |
|
| Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society The Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society is a national charity in the United Kingdom that provides support to bereaved parents and their families.It is based in Portland Place in London and is a registered charity.Its activities include:... (SANDS) Garden The SANDS Garden reflects the emotional journey that many parents face in trying to come to terms with their bereavement. At the heart of the garden is a sculpture of the SANDS tear drop logo which was created by John Roberts and the Portland Sculpture Trust to encourage people to sit and touch the central carved figure of the baby. |
|
| The Polish Service Men and Women Memorial Polish Forces War Memorial:National Memorial Arboretum The National Memorial Arboretum near Lichfield, Staffordshire, England, comprises 150 acres of woodland and memorials dedicated to the fallen servicemen and women from World War I, World War and other conflicts of the 20th Century... A dedicated memorial has been erected in recognition of the contribution made by Polish service men and women to the Allied Forces during the Second World War. The centre monument sculptured by Robert Sobocinski was unveiled by His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent Duke of Kent Duke of Kent is a title which has been created various times in the peerages of Great Britain and the United Kingdom, most recently as a royal dukedom for the fourth son of George V.-Pre-history:... on the 19th September 2009. |
|
| The Beat Beat (police) In police terminology, a beat is the territory and time that a police officer patrols. Beat policing is based on traditional policing and utilizes the close relationship with the community members within the assigned Beat to strengthen Police effectiveness and encourage cooperative efforts to make... It is a memorial to all British policemen who have died on duty. Its trees are horse chestnut, because old-type British policemen's truncheon Truncheon Truncheon may refer to:*Baton *Cutting , means of plant propagation used by gardeners*HMS Truncheon , a British submarine commissioned during Word War II and later sold to Israel... s were made of horse chestnut wood. |
|
| Anne Frank memorial In memory of Anne Frank Anne Frank Annelies Marie "Anne" Frank is one of the most renowned and most discussed Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Acknowledged for the quality of her writing, her diary has become one of the world's most widely read books, and has been the basis for several plays and films.Born in the city of Frankfurt... . Its centerpiece is an elder tree; each year in April its flowers and flower buds are removed, to symbolize that Anne Frank was not allowed to grow to adulthood and achieve her full life. |
|
| The Irish Mercantile Marine Plinth This plinth was unveiled on 1 September 2001. The plaque on the plinth has an Irish Tricolour Flag of Ireland The national flag of Ireland is a vertical tricolour of green , white, and orange. It is also known as the Irish tricolour. The flag proportion is 1:2... and the words "Dedicated to all those who were serving on the following Neutral Irish Registered Vessels Irish Mercantile Marine during World War II The Irish Mercantile Marine during World War II continued essential overseas trade during the conflict, a period referred to as The Long Watch by Irish mariners.... lost as a result of German action 1939-1945", followed by a list of ships lost. The front of the plinth has a plaque dedicated to Irish seamen captured while serving in the British Merchant Navy. They were not accorded POW Prisoner of war A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict... status, but were treated as slave labourers. This plaque names the five (of 32) who died from ill-treatment. |
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Nearby
- LichfieldLichfieldLichfield is a cathedral city, civil parish and district in Staffordshire, England. One of eight civil parishes with city status in England, Lichfield is situated roughly north of Birmingham...
- Whitemoor HayeWhitemoor HayeWhitemoor Haye is a mainly agricultural area in the floodplain of the River Tame, near Alrewas in Staffordshire, England.It is very popular with birdwatchers, as several rare species are either resident or seasonal visitors, notably Corn Bunting....
- Croxall LakesCroxall LakesCroxall Lakes is a nature reserve located between the villages of Croxall and Alrewas, Staffordshire, in the United Kingdom. The nature reserve comprises two lakes and grassland between them. The lakes were formed through the quarrying of sand and gravel deposits, these excavations subsequently...
- AlrewasAlrewasAlrewas is a large village and civil parish within Lichfield District, in Staffordshire, England. It lies on the A38 road, approximately 5 miles north of Lichfield...
- The Staffordshire Regiment MuseumThe Staffordshire Regiment MuseumThe Staffordshire Regiment Museum is a military museum in Staffordshire, England, dedicated to preserving the honour and history of The Staffordshire Regiment , its antecedent regiments and its successor regiment, The Mercian Regiment, from 1705 to the present day...