With it being such a glorious evening (Wednesday) I decided to take a trip over to the open evening at the NMA at Alrewas. I’ve visited many times during the day but it is a place which is continuously changing, there is also something new to see. Even without any new additions it is nice to see the progress as the trees mature. There is some RAF content but the Memorials there are as diverse as can be imagined. I’ve elected to post my images here as I believe it will be more appreciated due to the context of the history of both the NMA and the Memorials therein. It is going to be a very long thread so I will break it down into sections.
First up is one of the Divisional Memorials, the 49th? Known as the Polar Bears the centrepiece for this is an obvious choice.
Next up is Auntie Rose. This statue of a woman serving with the ATS bears a strong resemblance to my fiancee’s Auntie Rose who served with the ATS in World War Two.
The Gallilopi Memorial is always striking.
New perspectives are always to be found.
The RAF section continues to expand.
A lot of the Memorials cover a Branch of Service, others a particular theatre or specific conflict, but some are far more personal.
The RAFA Memorial is either under construction or repair but looks set to be particularly striking.
Others have been rescued from buildings and even companies which no longer exist. I believe Phoenix to have been involved in insurance?
A tribute to the DEMS gunners.
The Merchant Navy Memorial.
2,535 trees, each one representing a British flagged merchant or fishing vessel lost in World War Two.
FEAF Memorial.
The next few are relating to an area of conflict I don’t know enough about and of which I struggle to learn. I find the whole topic of war against the Japanese very hard to come to terms with. My Uncle served in Burma and was very bitter towards the Japanese for the rest of his life. I find sitting in the lych gate retrieved from Changi to be a very emotional experience.
This last one is of the building dedicated to the children of FEPOW. As you walk past on what was a lovely summers evening, the sounds of an English summer are replaced by the chirrupping and chattering of the insects which were only too familiar to those who served in the Far East.
More to follow later.
Regards,
kev35
By: Paul F - 17th June 2010 at 13:01
Thanks Kev
Kev,
I think your images have just added NMA Alrewas to my “must visit” list. Unfortunately its a little too far for me to “pop over”, but if I’m ever in the area I’ll make an effort to get there.
The whole place looks so peaceful in that wonderful evening sunlight, such a contrast to the last moments endured by so many of those whose loss is commemorated there…
And your mention of the mother and child nearly reduced me to tears – for so many, like me, who visit memorials such as this the names remain just so many unknown names on a wall, but for a few visitors those ‘names’ were so much more than a name, they were very real fathers, sons, husbands and brothers ( or,mothers, daughters, wives and sisters). Makes me feel like I’ve little entitlement to be there, encroaching on such a private moment, if I ever have similar encounters.
Always reminds me that there’s a world of difference between the somewhat impersonal collective act of rememberance many of us make every November, and the intensely personal acts of rememberance that so many servicemens’ families have to face every day of their lives.
Paul F
By: Moggy C - 17th June 2010 at 10:42
Thank you for posting those Kev, it is almost as good as being there for those of us at too far distance to ‘pop over’
The whole place impressed me deeply in March when I visited for the first time and I’m sure that it is somewhere that will repay visiting over the years as it develops, matures.
The “Shot at Dawn” memorial is a stunner that I haven’t seen in the ‘flesh’. Like Duxford it’s a venue that is impossible to cover comprehensively in a single day.
Moggy
By: Arabella-Cox - 17th June 2010 at 10:41
Kev
Thank you for taking the time and trouble to post these images.
I have never been there. Your pictures have inspired me to go.
By: kev35 - 17th June 2010 at 10:06
It’s a shame that the whole event wasn’t better advertised. While it is the sort of place that lends itself to tranquility and reflection it would have been nice for more people to have turned out to enjoy what was a glorious summer evening. Unbelievably, the site shop was closed so I think they missed out on some revenue there.
There was a Mother and Son who were there until quite late. It seems we more or less followed each other around. The poignancy and purpose of the place came strongly to the fore as I descended the steps from the Armed Forces Memorial. Mother and Son were just at the bottom of the steps when she said “Let’s go say goodnight to Daddy.” The simplicity of the phrase and the emotions evoked by that simple act comes starkly into focus when you realise they are saying goodnight to a name on a wall.
Regards,
kev35
By: Peter - 17th June 2010 at 02:24
Thanks for sharing these Kev. Some real nice memorials/ monuments there.. Makes you stop and remember those that gave their lives.
By: kev35 - 17th June 2010 at 00:49
We continue with a Memorial that has particular significance for me because my Father served in the Civil Defence as a messenger and it also resonates with my recent interest in a factory which was bombed in Walsall resulting in the deaths of five fire watchers.
The Halton Grove. Are there any Halton Brats posting here still?
The Gallipoli Memorial again.
A story of sacrifice.
The Basra Wall.
The new Polish memorial is very striking.
The Shot at Dawn Memorial is one which evokes many emotions. Without wishing to reignite the debate, here are a few shots of the Memorial. It is in a wonderful setting and the sunlight in the grove was wonderful yet I never feel entitely comfortable there.
Finally, a few images of the Armed Forces Memorial.
Regards,
kev35
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June 17, 2010 at 12:09 am