My Favourite History Spot - National Memorial Arboretum

One of my favourite history spots is the National Memorial Arboretum. It focuses on the history of war, giving a general but thoughtful picture of soldiers’ lives and contextualising their wartime experiences. The topic of remembrance is covered in a variety of ways and is the focus of the arboretum - it aims to preserve and educate people on the legacies of those that served during many different wars so that their names and impacts will not be forgotten.

Although a lot of the information it provides is focused around the First and Second World War, it also acknowledges other conflicts, such as the Gulf War, which was fought from 1990-1991. I was not originally knowledgeable about this conflict, but the helpful information boards allowed me to learn about the events that occurred before, during and after the war. This willingness to discuss different conflicts gives people the opportunity to discover more about modern conflicts that aren’t as often discussed as the World Wars. A large structure commemorates this war, imploring us to never forget these events and to pay respect to those who fought for the liberation of Kuwait.

As well as events, the Arboretum commemorates groups such as the Women’s Air Force and even horses for their wartime contributions. They have their own structures with positive messages that acknowledge their impact on the war effort. This allows for the main theme of remembrance to be more widely applicable, ensuring that all who played their part can be remembered in a significant way.

The site is also not without its abundance of poppies, with a structure giving soldiers a poppy with their name and birthday on it, separated into the twelve calendar months. This allows for each soldier to be distinguished and remembered by their own family members and visitors.

Overall, the respectful and thought-provoking nature of the site allows you to reconnect with history on a personal level by putting names and faces to people who fought during wartime. Families can use the site as a way of remembering loved ones, and visitors gain a better understanding of conflicts in their entirety. It also serves as a reminder of the consequences of those conflicts and how they can affect both soldiers and their families.

Bibliography

‘What’s Here’, National Memorial Arboretum, n.d. <https://www.thenma.org.uk/visit-us/what's-here> [accessed 4 November 2024].