How to Honour Loved Ones on Remembrance Sunday

National Memorial Arboretum - Living Tribute of Trees and Sculptures

Nov 6, 2008 Frances Spiegel

The National Memorial Arboretum is a stunning example of how we honour our war dead. A Chapel, gardens, trees and sculptures provide a living memorial for the future.

150 acres of wooded parkland have been set aside within the United Kingdom's National Forest. 50,000 trees have been planted, each with its own specific symbolism. Although a Memorial to the dead the Arboretum is a living, breathing, artistic tribute to those who live with the consequences of combat. The Arboretum, which is as much about remembering as it is about history, art and sculpture, commemorates and celebrates everyone who died in the service of their country, as well as those who served, suffered, and still suffer, because of war.

Tributes, in the form of gardens, sculptures, walkways and planted avenues, fall into several categories. Military memorials are joined by civil services, such as the Fire Brigade, the Ambulance Service, the Police, nursing groups and charities.

Armed Forces Memorial

The main memorial is the Armed Forces Memorial. This structure provides a focal point of remembrance for many whose loved ones remain in foreign parts, many in unmarked graves.

The Memorial is inspired by classical forms of ancient Rome and landscapes of prehistoric Britain. The site, approached by a wide stone staircase, is located on a 6-metre high earth mound, 100 metres wide at its base and 50 metres wide across the top. The entire structure is surrounded by a spiralling pathway, lined with trees, providing a gently sloping access.

A 43-metre diameter structure, consisting of two curved walls and two straight walls, stands on top of the mound. 200,000 bricks were used in its construction and each wall is faced with Portland stone panels. The panels were engraved (by computer) with 16,000 names when the Memorial was first opened and new names are added annually. The poignant atmosphere is heightened by the blank panels still remaining with space for a further 15,000 names!

The whole structure is watched over by an obelisk inscribed: "they died serving their country we will remember them".

Sculptures by Ian Rank-Broadley

At the heart of the structure are two bronze sculptures placed either side of a central wreath. The sculptures were created by Ian Rank-Broadley best known for his representation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II impressed on all UK and Commonwealth coinage since 1998.

The North Sculpture

The North Sculpture shows a serviceman held aloft by his comrades as mother, child and elderly parents watch. The scene shows the cost of war not just to participants but to family and friends who live with the consequences.

The South Sculpture

The South Sculpture incorporates a door, in front of which a dying solder is helped by female and Ghurkha soldiers. One figure points through the door to the soldier's final resting place, while another engraves his name on the Memorial. The Memorial is designed so that on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month the sun's rays shine through the door of the sculpture lighting the central wreath.

The Millennium Chapel of Peace and Forgiveness

The Act of Remembrance is observed here on every day of the year at 11 a.m. This is the only place in the UK where this occurs. The event involves an inter-denominational service incorporating the Last Post and a two-minute silence, followed by Reveille.

The FEPOW Memorial Building

Dedicated to the 55,000 prisoners of war held in the Far East the building features two beautiful stained glass windows. These are copies of windows made by Lt Cdr Upton RNVR for St George's Church, which was built by prisoners of war at Tandjong Priok, Java.

On Remembrance Day, and all year round, we honour our dead by enjoying this living Memorial and taking part in services and activities. Details of opening times, services and activities can be obtained from the National Memorial Arboretum.

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