War Memorials Register facts for kids
The War Memorials Register (WMR) is a special project that keeps track of war memorials. It started in 1989. Its main goal is to create a complete list of every war memorial. These memorials are found across the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands.
This important project is based at the Imperial War Museums (IWM) in London. So far, the WMR has recorded more than 68,000 war memorials. You can find all this information in an online database on the IWM website. Many dedicated volunteers help with this project. Some work at the IWM, while others are "fieldworkers" who travel around the country. They all help to find, record, and update details about war memorials.
What is a War Memorial?
A war memorial is any object built or set up to remember a war or conflict. It can also honor peace. These memorials often remember people who served in wars or were affected by them. They also remember those who died while serving in the military. This includes memorials for civilians and even animals.
While many memorials remember the First and Second World Wars, the WMR covers all conflicts. This ranges from the Roman conquest of Britain to more recent actions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
What Information Does the WMR Record?
The War Memorials Register collects lots of details about each memorial. This helps people learn more about them.
The main information they record includes:
- Where the memorial is located.
- A description of what it looks like.
- Its category (what type of memorial it is).
- The words written on it (the inscription).
- The names of people remembered on the memorial.
- Photographs of the memorial.
Why is the War Memorials Register Important?
The WMR works to create a full online record of all war memorials. This also includes the names of the people they honor. This helps us remember the past and the sacrifices made. It also makes sure these important historical sites are not forgotten.
