Monument: Afghan and Iraq wars
Erection date: 9/3/2017
{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
