The National Memorial Arboretum is presently planted with over 40,000 trees and occupies a 150 acre site by the River Tame at Alrewas in South Staffordshire. It is being created as a living tribute to the people of the Twentieth Century and a gift in their memory for future generations to reflect upon and to enjoy. Although over 60 plots are linked to organisations, it is mostly individuals who are remembered at The Arboretum.
The idea to create a National Memorial Arboretum was conceived in 1988 and got under way in November 1994 when the Prime Minister, John Major, launched the appeal to raise funds. The National Lottery Millennium Commission made a grant of £1.78 million - provided it was matched pound-for-pound. This was achieved a year earlier than expected and the grant was used to build a fine visitor centre and the only Chapel in the country to be erected to celebrate the millennium. Soon after the appeal was launched there was sufficient indication of support for the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force plots to be planned. The Merchant Navy Welfare Board arranged for a tree to be planted for each of the 2,536 British flagged merchant ships lost in the second world war. Smaller service organisations, the Veterans of the Greek Campaign, Burma Star, Dunkirk and Normandy Veterans, and the Berlin Airlift Association followed soon after. As well as the Armed Forces, plots have been established by, among many others, Police and Fire Services, Rotary and Inner Wheel, Road-Peace (which cares for the relatives of those killed on the roads) and SANDS (The Stillbirth and Neo Natal Death Society).
A new Royal Signals Corps Memorial has been erected at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffs. Donations of over £22k from individual members of the RSA and branches has funded almost the entire cost of the memorial. The Corps is most grateful to those who kindly made a donation. The new memorial was officially unveiled by our Colonel in Chief, HRH The Princess Royal on 20 May 2008, when 1,000 past and present members of the Corps enjoyed a great day. To view photos taken at the event Click Here.
The Royal Signals Association was among the first to have a tree dedicated in the Army area. However, this and subsequent replacement trees died - hence the need for this permanent and more suitable honour to the Corps. Three other trees, in the Mediterranean Area, have been dedicated to 'The Linemen of 1st Army', 'Royal Signals Section, AA Brigade' and 'Royal Signals 'G' Section Attached to 138 City of London Field Regiment 1942-46'. A crescent of nine copper beech trees with memorial plaques were dedicated to all who served in Air Formation Signal units. These can be found in the Millennium Chapel of Peace and Forgiveness on the site.
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Further information about the Arboretum may be obtained from:
The National Memorial Arboretum
Croxall Road
ALREWAS
Staffordshire DE13 7AR
Tel: 01283-792333
The Arboretum has an active Friends Association with its own website at http://www.friendsofnma.org.uk
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