National Memorial Arboretum

[1] In 2017, after undergoing a large scale regeneration project, the arboretum's new award-winning Remembrance Centre was officially opened by the Duke of Cambridge on 23 March.

[3] The idea for the arboretum was conceived by Commander David Childs CBE in 1988, who wished to establish a national focus or 'centre' for remembrance to those that had died after giving to their community or country.

He believed that the arboretum would form a living tribute to service men and women for future generations to reflect upon and enjoy while walking through a beautiful green scenery.

The National Lottery, in the form of the Millennium Commission, granted some forty per cent of the funds needed and this was matched by thousands of donations from a wide variety of organisations both military and civilian, men and women, corporate and voluntary.

[5] The National Memorial Arboretum is situated just south of Alrewas on approximately 150 acres (61 ha; 0.23 sq mi) of old gravel workings, 5 miles (8.0 km) north of Lichfield, Staffordshire.

[1] There are more than 400 memorials 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.

[6] The largest section is the Armed Forces Memorial, at the heart of the arboretum, which is a tribute to over 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.

[11] A 'remembrance glade' was unveiled at the arboretum by the Royal British Legion in September 2021, featuring plants chosen for their symbolic meanings in relation to grief and new beginnings.

Made from Chinese granite and designed to give a different perspective when viewed from different angles, the Star of David memorial is dedicated to Jewish servicemen who were killed on duty.

The memorial is constructed from 30 metres (98 ft) of the original rails and sleepers used on the Burma Railway, which were brought to the arboretum from Thailand in HMS Northumberland in 2002.

[17] The Commandos 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.

Unveiled on 15 June 2014 the memorial to navy personnel is made up from a number of large pieces of coloured glass and a lone figure with bowed head.

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.