Douglas Alexander MP has welcomed the news that the Government will be investing an additional £2 million to protect and maintain war memorials across the country – ensuring that the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces are never forgotten.
War memorials are a vital part of our local and national story. They stand as lasting tributes to the courage and sacrifice of servicemen and women in conflicts past and present, and as places where communities come together to remember.
Across the United Kingdom there are estimated to be more than 100,000 war memorials, with thousands in need of urgent maintenance due to neglect, weathering, or – in some cases – vandalism.
The funding, announced on Remembrance Sunday, builds on the long-standing efforts of local volunteers, veterans’ groups, and heritage organisations who care for and protect memorials year after year.
Douglas Alexander MP said:
“Our war memorials are sacred spaces in our communities — places where we come together to reflect, to remember, and to say thank you to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“This funding will help ensure that these important monuments are protected for future generations, and that the stories of those who served continue to be told.
“We are proud of our heritage and our Armed Forces community, and we’ll keep working to make sure their sacrifice is never forgotten.”
Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy said:
“War memorials are more than historic structures. They are sacred spaces where communities come together to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom.
“As we mark Remembrance Sunday and reflect on the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, it is our duty to ensure these memorials are conserved with the dignity and respect they deserve.
“This funding will help communities across the country preserve these vital tributes, so that the sacrifices of all who have served, past and present, are never forgotten and their legacy endures for generations to come.”
Local people wanting to learn more about their local war memorials can visit the War Memorials Register, a comprehensive national register of UK War Memorials managed by the Imperial War Museum.