Monument

Afghan and Iraq wars

Erection date: 9/3/2017

Inscription

{On the ground, around the edge of the area of gray stones on which the monument stands:}
In recognition of all British military personnel and UK civilians who served and worked in Iraq 1990 – 2009 and Afghanistan 2001 – 2015.

{Carved into the stone, on the front:}
Iraq
Afghanistan

{and on the back:}
Duty
Service

{On the metal reliefs, front:}
Paul Day 2016

{and back:}
Paul Day

Our photo shows the relief at the front representing the military operations. The relief on the back shows civilian workers distributing parcels labelled 'UK aid', etc. Note that no names are given and that the memorial commemorates all those who served, not just the dead. The Queen unveiled the memorial in the presence of a number of her relatives and also a number of (ex-)Prime Ministers, including, controversially, Tony Blair. Relatives of the dead were not invited.

The Basingstoke Observer has some insights in how the monument was created. The two stones represent Afghanistan and Iraq, or alternatively, the themes of Duty and Service. The wars covered by the memorial are: The Gulf War (1990-91); The Iraq War (2003-9); The Afghanistan War (2001-15). The dates relate to the UK's involvement - the wars generally continued for years afterwards. A total of 682 UK military died in these wars.

Site: Afghan and Iraq wars (1 memorial)

SW1, Victoria Embankment, Victoria Embankment Gardens - Whitehall section

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
Afghan and Iraq wars

Subjects commemorated i

Afghan War

456 UK military died in Afghanistan during this war.

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Gulf War

47 UK military died in Iraq during this war.

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Iraq War

179 UK military died in Iraq during the Iraq War.

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This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
Afghan and Iraq wars

Created by i

Paul Day

Sculptor. Best known work (you love it or you hate it) is the huge statue (wh...

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Queen Elizabeth II

Born 17 Bruton Street, to the Duke and Duchess of York. When she was 10 her f...

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