National Memorial Arboretum facts for kids

The National Memorial Arboretum is a special place in Alrewas, near Lichfield, Staffordshire, England. It's a place where people remember those who have served their country, especially those who have died. It helps us feel proud of the British Armed Forces and other groups who help our community.

In 2017, the Arboretum opened a new, amazing visitor centre. Prince William officially opened it on March 23rd. This centre has cool exhibition rooms, a bigger restaurant, shops, and a garden courtyard. It makes visiting the Arboretum even better!

In 2018, the National Memorial Arboretum won a top award from VisitEngland for being the "Gold Large Visitor Attraction of the Year." It also won "Coach Friendly Attraction of the Year."

How the Arboretum Started

The idea for the Arboretum came from Commander David Childs in 1988. He wanted a main place in the country for people to remember. After talking with Group Captain Leonard Cheshire, a fundraising effort began in 1994. The Prime Minister at the time, John Major, thought the Arboretum would be a living tribute for future generations to visit and enjoy.

The project became real when three important things were agreed upon. First, it would be the home of the Armed Forces Memorial. Second, the Ministry of Defence would help pay so that everyone could visit for free. Third, The Royal British Legion would take care of the site as a place for remembrance all year round.

The project began with no money, no land, and no trees! But then, The National Lottery gave about 40% of the money needed. Thousands of other people and groups, both big and small, also donated.

Planting started in 1997 on old gravel pits near the Rivers Trent and Tame. The land was given to the charity by a company called Lafarge. Many people helped plant trees and create memorials. This included a small team of staff, a dedicated group called "Friends of the National Memorial Arboretum," and many others.

The Arboretum officially opened on May 16, 2001. It is a charity and is part of The Royal British Legion family of charities.

Where is the Arboretum?

An aerial view of the Arboretum, with the River Tame at the bottom.

The Arboretum is located just south of Alrewas in Staffordshire. It covers about 150 acres of old gravel workings. It's about 5 miles north of Lichfield. The Arboretum is next to where the River Tame meets the River Trent. It's also at the western end of the National Forest, just off the A38 road.

What Can You See at the Arboretum?

The Polar Bear Memorial was the first memorial dedicated on site, on 7 June 1998.

The Arboretum has 30,000 trees, and more are planted every year. There are also over 350 memorials. These memorials honor people from the armed forces, civilian groups, and volunteer organizations who have served the country. There's even a memorial for HMS Amethyst's cat Simon!

At the heart of the Arboretum is the Armed Forces Memorial. This memorial honors over 16,000 service members who have died in conflicts or from terrorism since the end of the Second World War. Every year on November 11th at 11 am, the sun shines through special openings in the memorial walls. It casts a beam of light onto a wreath in the center. The Queen was present when the Armed Forces Memorial was officially opened in October 2007.

Other parts of the site include areas for the RAF, Navy, and Army. There are also civilian areas, like 'The Beat,' which has memorials for police forces from across the UK.

Inside the Arboretum, you'll find the Millennium Chapel of Peace and Forgiveness. Every day at 11 am, a special act of remembrance takes place here. After two minutes of silence, a bugle plays "Last Post" and "Reveille." Then, there's a short talk about the Arboretum.

You can enjoy many activities at the Arboretum every day. These include guided walks, buggy tours, Land Train rides, and free talks. Most of these activities are led by over 260 volunteers. These amazing volunteers give more than 52,000 hours of their time each year! In 2010, the Arboretum's volunteers received "The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service."

Important Memorials to See

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  A general view of the memorial, which commemorates service men and women killed since 1945.

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  View across the memorial.

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  Names on the wall and one of two sculptures by Ian Rank-Broadley.

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  One of the sculptures silhouetted in the sun.

Here are some of the other special memorials you can find at the National Memorial Arboretum:

Features	Description
	Association of Jewish Ex-Service Men and Women This memorial is made from Chinese granite. It's shaped like the Star of David and looks different from various angles. It honors Jewish servicemen who died while on duty.
	Berlin Airlift Monument This memorial honors those who took part in the Berlin Airlift. This was an operation to deliver food and supplies to Berlin between 1948 and 1949. The sculpture has hundreds of detailed steel feathers.
	Boys' Brigade This garden remembers members of the Boys' Brigade who have served since 1883. It includes elements that represent all parts of the UK and Ireland. Sixteen Victoria Crosses have been awarded to members of the Brigade.
	Burma Railway This memorial is made from 30 meters of the original rails and sleepers from the Burma Railway. These were brought from Thailand in 2002. It's a lasting tribute to those forced to build the "Railway of Death." Benches and trees around the track also have special dedications.
	Commandos The Commandos were a special Army group formed in 1940. They used unusual tactics to attack and gather information about the enemy. This memorial shows part of their badge: a copper wreath and a stainless steel Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife.
	Polar Bear Memorial This was the very first monument at the Arboretum. It honors the 49th Infantry West Riding Division. During the Second World War, they were in Iceland and often snowed in. Their commander called them "his Polar Bears," and a polar bear on ice became their symbol. The wooden bear is 9 feet long and 5 feet high, weighing 2.5 tonnes. Inside, there's a capsule with names of fallen members of the 49th Division.
	Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) The RNLI memorial looks like a pebble, shingle, and sand beach. It features a dramatic sculpture of a lifeboat man in his old-fashioned oilskins and cork life jacket.
	Shot at Dawn This memorial remembers 306 British and Commonwealth soldiers who were shot during the First World War for things like desertion. Today, we know that their actions were often due to severe stress from war, now called post-traumatic stress syndrome. The memorial is based on Private Herbert Burden, who was shot at age 17.
	Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS) Garden The SANDS Garden is a peaceful place for parents who have lost a baby. In the middle of the garden is a sculpture of the SANDS tear drop logo. It was made to encourage people to sit and touch the carved figure of a baby.
	The Polish Service Men and Women Memorial This memorial honors the important help given by Polish service men and women to the Allied Forces during the Second World War. The main monument was unveiled by the Duke of Kent in 2009.
	Navy Memorial Opened in 2014, this memorial for navy personnel is made of large pieces of colored glass. It also features a lone figure with a bowed head.
	Sumatra Railway Memorial Unveiled in 2001, this memorial was designed by Jack Plant, who was captured by the Japanese and forced to build the railway. It remembers the 700 Allied prisoners of war who died building the Sumatra Railway.
	Christmas Truce Memorial On December 12, 2014, a memorial was unveiled to mark 100 years since the World War I Christmas truce. During this truce, British and German soldiers stopped fighting and even played football in no man's land. Prince William, the England national football team manager Roy Hodgson, and the chairman of the Football Association were there. A ten-year-old schoolboy named Spencer Turner designed the memorial.