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625:. Made from yellow hardwood, the bear is 9 ft long (2.7 m) and 5 ft high (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 the members of the 49th Division who died, together with relevant letters and documents.
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rides and free talks, as well as the Daily Act of
Remembrance. Most of these activities are conducted by a team of over 260 volunteers, who collectively dedicate more than 52,000 hours of their time per year to the arboretum. In 2010, the Volunteers of the National Memorial Arboretum were awarded
143:, and since then has been shaped by a staff of thousands: a small paid group; a dedicated and active Friends of the National Memorial Arboretum organisation; and countless others who have either planted individual trees or helped create a memorial for their organisation.
341:. This memorial remembers over 16,000 people who have been killed or sacrificed their lives while on duty or targeted by terrorists or who died in operational theatres. Their names have been written in a panel to signify their significance in the Armed Forces.
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A general view of the memorial, which commemorates service men and women killed since 1945. The two curved walls and two straight walls are made from bricks covered with
Portland stone panels. At the centre of the Memorial are two bronze sculptures created by
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The SANDS Garden is for bereaved parents. At the centre 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.
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Other areas of the site include an RAF 'wing', Naval review and Army parade. Civilian areas include 'The Beat' which contains memorials and dedications to police forces from around the UK and commonwealth. There is a
Wartime Nurses Memorial, to 1,300
120:, 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.
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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. Following a meeting with
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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.
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During the First World War some 306 British and
Commonwealth soldiers were shot for desertion or cowardice; the real cause for their offences was often a psychological reaction to the stresses of war which today would be diagnosed as
238:. At 11 am 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. The Armed Forces Memorial was dedicated in October 2007 by the
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Unveiled in 2001, the
Sumatra Railway Memorial was designed by Jack Plant who was captured by the Japanese and forced to work constructing the railway. The memorial commemorates the 700 Allied PoWs who died building the
434:, the operation to deliver food and supplies to Berlin between June 1948 and May 1949. This sculpture features hundreds of intricate steel feathers. It was designed and manufactured by Anwick Forge in Lincolnshire.
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The arboretum contains more than 25,000 trees. 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
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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.
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memorial has been landscaped as a pebble, shingle and sand beach. The dramatic figure of a lifeboat man in his 19th-century oilskins and cork life jacket was sculpted by Andrew
Fitchett.
98:. 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.
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and "all those who risk their lives to entertain and lift spirits and morale in times of conflict". The memorial was designed and will be sculpted by artist
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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
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and as 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
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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
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Within the arboretum is the Millennium Chapel of Peace and Forgiveness where, at 11 am each day, an act of remembrance takes place. Following the
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In April 2023, it was announced by the Dame Vera Lynn Memorial Statue organisation that the National Memorial Arboretum was the planned site for
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67:. Its objective is to honour the fallen, recognise service and sacrifice, and foster pride in the British Armed Forces and civilian community.
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A dedicated memorial has been erected in recognition of the contribution made by Polish service men and women to the Allied Forces during the
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In 2017, after undergoing a large scale regeneration project, the arboretum's new award-winning Remembrance Centre was officially opened by
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on 23 March. It features three exhibition galleries, a larger restaurant and shop, separate coffee shop and a courtyard with garden.
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The future of the project became assured when three proposals were agreed. These were: for the site to be the location of the
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the enemy. This memorial consists of a reproduction of part of the Association badge – the wreath in copper and the
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on approximately 150 acres (61 ha; 0.23 sq mi) of old gravel workings, 5 miles (8.0 km) north of
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The project began with no money, no land, no staff and no trees, just an idea which was yet to exist in reality.
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in September 2021, featuring plants chosen for their symbolic meanings in relation to grief and new beginnings.
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Awards for Excellence, as well as Coach Friendly Attraction of the Year in the British Coach Tourism Awards.
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536:. The Football Remembers memorial was designed by ten-year-old Spencer Turner after a UK-wide competition.
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1062:"Memorial unveiled to British prisoners of war who died after ship was sunk during the Second World War"
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The memorial is constructed from 30 metres (98 ft) of the original rails and sleepers used on the
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In 2018, the National Memorial Arboretum was awarded Gold Large Visitor Attraction of the Year in
1147:"Forces' Sweetheart And Wartime Entertainers' Memorial To Feature At National Memorial Arboretum"
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655:. The centre monument sculptured by Robert Sobocinski was unveiled by His Royal Highness the
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Garden is designed to remember those who have served in the Brigade since 1883. Sixteen
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would accept the gift of the site as the focus for the nation's year-round remembrance.
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Some of the other features of the National Memorial Arboretum are described below.
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and was dedicated on 7 June 1998. In the Second World War they were stationed in
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The Polar Bear Memorial was the first memorial dedicated on site, on 7 June 1998.
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The elements of this garden represent all parts of the UK and Ireland. The
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and professional nurses who died in the First and Second World Wars.
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in stainless steel. It was created at Anwick Forge in Lincolnshire.
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On 12 December 2014, a memorial on the centenary of the World War I
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in 1997. The initial planting took place thanks to grants from the
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to pay a significant grant-in-aid to allow for free entry and that
1034:"Afghanistan war: Services mark 20th anniversary of UK operations"
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The memorial is erected in tribute to those who took part in the
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Planting began on the reclaimed gravel workings, bordered by the
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1228:"Prince William hails 'lasting memorial' to WW1 Christmas truce"
94:, an appeal was launched in 1994 by the then Prime Minister,
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Daily activities on site include guided walks, buggy tours,
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The arboretum was officially opened on 16 May 2001. It is a
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A 'remembrance glade' was unveiled at the arboretum by the
1277:"Memorial statue for Polish servicemen and women unveiled"
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The National Memorial Arboretum is situated just south of
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have been awarded to former and serving Brigade members.
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The Forces' Sweetheart And Wartime Entertainers' Memorial
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on a block of ice was soon adopted as their mascot and
831:"The Remembrance Centre | National Memorial Arboretum"
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Polish Forces War Memorial:National Memorial Arboretum
958:"Armed Forces Memorial | National Memorial Arboretum"
323:
List of memorials at the National Memorial Arboretum
1009:"Millennium chapel | National Memorial Arboretum"
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1222:
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1122:"Daily activities | National Memorial Arboretum"
933:"Memorial listing | National Memorial Arboretum"
1179:. Dame Vera Lynn Memorial Statue. 26 April 2023
1153:. Dame Vera Lynn Memorial Statue. 26 April 2023
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365:Names on the wall and one of two sculptures by
411:Association of Jewish Ex-Service Men and Women
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381:One of the sculptures silhouetted in the sun.
55:is a British site of national remembrance at
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479:, which were brought to the arboretum from
166:Aerial view, with the River Tame at bottom.
48:Site of remembrance, Staffordshire, England
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887:"Who we are | National Memorial Arboretum"
182:. It is adjacent to the confluence of the
1368:British military memorials and cemeteries
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727:, who was shot at Ypres in 1915 aged 17.
642:The Polish Service Men and Women Memorial
1378:Monuments and memorials in Staffordshire
1275:Jamieson, Alastair (20 September 2009).
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803:"About us | National Memorial Arboretum"
676:Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI)
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296:The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service
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859:"Awards | National Memorial Arboretum"
745:Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society
1199:"'Railway of death' sleepers arrive"
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1393:Protected areas established in 2001
1098:. 15 September 2021. Archived from
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1295:"Memorial to Sumatra railway dead"
611:49th Infantry West Riding Division
194:. It is at the western end of the
131:, gifted to the charity by Tarmac
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518:Prince William, Duke of Cambridge
92:Group Captain Leonard Cheshire VC
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1297:. BBC News. 15 August 2001
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983:"Wartime Nurses Memorial"
353:View across the memorial.
1388:The Royal British Legion
767:Sumatra Railway Memorial
725:Northumberland Fusiliers
505:Christmas Truce Memorial
240:Archbishop of Canterbury
111:The Royal British Legion
723:, of the 1st Battalion
719:is modelled on Private
428:Berlin Airlift Monument
912:"Associated charities"
713:combat stress reaction
659:on 19 September 2009.
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279:was unveiled in 2021.
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702:Shot at Dawn Memorial
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72:the Duke of Cambridge
1102:on 16 September 2021
534:Football Association
284:Royal British Legion
273:. A memorial to the
152:Royal British Legion
118:The National Lottery
1363:Arboreta in England
606:Polar Bear Memorial
242:in the presence of
150:and is part of The
137:Forestry Commission
107:Ministry of Defence
30: /
1234:. 12 December 2014
987:MilitaryImages.Net
532:, chairman of the
516:, was unveiled by
259:two-minute silence
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34:52.7282°N 1.7285°W
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1173:"Paul Day"
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