The National Memorial Arboretum
Croxall Road, Alrewas
Staffordshire
DE13 7AR
Telephone: 01283 7922333

The idea for a National Memorial Arboretum was conceived by the Director, David Childs, during a visit to Washington in 1988. He felt that we should plant a living tribute to the war-time generations of the twentieth century in such way that it would be a gift in their memory for future generations to reflect upon and enjoy.

The Appeal to create The Arboretum was launched by the then Prime Minister, John Major, in November 1994. At the time the project had no money and no land. The latter was provided by the generous gifting of 82 acres of reclaimed gravel working alongside the banks of the River Tame, by Redland (now Lafarge) Aggregates. This gift has now been extended to a further 70 acres, including the wildlife lake.

Finally the project was first supported by the armed services and veterans‘ associations but the first planting, in the Spring of 1997, was funded by a grant from The National Forest, within whose boundary The Arboretum lies. The initiative was then shortlisted for a Millennium Commission grant of £1.8M provided such a sum could be match funded. It was, and the result is the Visitor Centre and the country‘s only Millennium Chapel.

The Arboretum and the Visitor Centre are open daily throughout the year (excluding Christmas Day and New Years Day) from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm, or dusk if earlier. There is plenty of free parking for all visitors to the Arboretum. There is no longer a charge for admission to the Arboretum, the Firefighters Memorial is situated at plot 23.

‘FIREFIGHTERS SERVING HUMANITY’   -  A monument to the Fire & Rescue Service

HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of the Firefighters Memorial Trust unveiled the main stone Monument in May 2008. A short service of Dedication was led by the Trust’s Chaplain, Reverend David Rhodes and included prayers, hymns and blessings.

The Trust is grateful to all those in the Fire & Rescue Service community and other interested parties, for their continued support for its aims and ideals.

Further details and pictures of the unveiling can be found on the Trust Events menu or by CLICKING HERE