The start date is 1 January 1948, and follows on directly from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission which commemorates those who died up to 31 December 1947. The one exception is for those killed in Palestine who are included on the Memorial.

The Memorial is a stunning piece of architecture designed by Liam O'Connor which draws its inspiration from the ancient landscapes of prehistoric Britain and the classical forms of ancient Rome. It consists of a large 6 metre high earth mound, reducing from 100 metres wide at the base to just 50 metres wide at the top and based on early British barrows or tumuli. The spiralling walkway up the grassy, tree-planted slopes provides accessibility to people of all ages and mobility.

At the top of the mound stands a 43 metre diameter stone structure with two curved walls and two straight walls, constructed of 200,000 bricks faced with Portland stone panels. The panels contain the names of those honoured by the Memorial. In the centre of this structure is a bronze wreath, flanked by two evocative bronze sculptures.


Why the memorial is so important

The Memorial was constructed to provide recognition of the men and women of our Armed Services who have lost their lives in conflict or as a result of terrorist action or on training exercises since the end of the Second World War. Unlike the World War memorials in towns and villages across the Nation, there is nowhere that records the names of those who have been killed on duty since 1945.

During this period the men and women of the Armed Services, often supported by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and the Merchant Navy, have taken part in more than 50 operations and conflicts across the world, often as part of United Nations, NATO or other international coalitions. These actions have ranged from hot war to peacekeeping; from humanitarian assistance to fighting terrorism; from the jungles of Malaysia to the storms of the South Atlantic; from the streets of Aden to the streets of Northern Ireland.

It is not just Service men and women who have made sacrifices. Behind every name on the Memorial there are the wives, husbands, partners, parents, children and colleagues who loved them and who live with the pain and consequences of their loss every day.

The theatres of conflict where the United Kingdom Armed Forces have served since the Second World War include: