NATIONAL  MEMORIAL ARBORETUM.

Croxall Road , Alrewas, Staffordshire. DE13 7AR

Tel 01283 792333.

Reg. Charity no.  1043992.

This new forest covering 150 acres and with its 50,000 trees was established in 1979. It is within the National Forest in Staffordshire and is quite near to Lichfield . The site had previously been open cast sand and gravel quarries and it has been restored by Lafarge Ltd., who have leased it, to the Memorial Charity, for a peppercorn rent. There is a fine Chapel, visitor centre which has special education resources, restaurant and shop.

Throughout the planted area, there are some 385 special sites which have been designated by the provision of a plaque, bench or symbol appropriate to the donor group who represent, for example, specific campaigns, Royal Norwegian Navy, Ex Prisoners of War and National Service Veterans. 

The inspiration for the Memorial came to a retired Naval Officer on a visit to the Arlington National Cemetry in Washington DC , USA., which  American author, Rick Atkinson has described  as a “shrine to valour and sacrifice, to service and fidelity” and the same can be said of this relatively new UK National War Memorial.

On a mound in the centre of the area is the new Armed Forces Memorial which was dedicated in the presence of The Queen on 12^th October 2007 . The monument is composed of giant slabs of Portland stone and on these, are inscribed, the names of 16,000 men and women who have been killed on duty or as a result of terrorist activity since 1948. A unique feature of the structure is that there is a vertical split in the southern wall so that on the 11^th day of the 11^th month at 11.00 am a shaft of sunlight falls across a sculptured wreath at the centre of the circle. The obelisk at the eastern side is specifically dedicated to those who have died in service in any conflict and whose names are recorded on local memorials all over the United Kingdom and in countries of Allies.

          At the main reception, you provide the name and brief details of someone who has been killed and you are, very quickly, given a slip of paper with the exact panel number where the name is inscribed. At the same time, if entitled and you know your service number, you can be enrolled in the National Veterans Association and given the badge and membership certificate which have been provided free by The Ministry of Defence.

A special feature of the Memorial Site and its chapel is that at 1050 each day a short service called “The Homage” is held. This is the only Chapel in UK in which such a daily service occurs. It is followed by a 15 minute talk about the Memorial.

This amazing and massive Memorial site has had very little publicity. I was aware of it as, some years ago, I had subscribed to a Memorial Plinth that was erected by the Ton Class Association (Minesweepers). I was not aware of anything further about the site in the national media until the brief publicity, in October 2007, relating to the Royal visit for the dedication of the new monument. If you are driving south, it is quite accessible from the M6 but to catch the special 10.50 service it is best to spend a night locally. A magnificent national monument and a truly wonderful experience which is well worth a visit even if you are not seeking any of the recorded names.

Dr. John A. J. Macleod, Lochmaddy, 16.01.2008.

Further details…From the web site..www.thenma.org.uk  or tel 01283 792333.