The Memorial 'Mob'

14/06/2026

Today, we mark the anniversary of the liberation of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands in 1982.

On 14 June 1982, after 74 days of conflict, British forces secured the liberation of the Falkland Islands, bringing an end to a campaign fought thousands of miles from home in defence of the Islanders' right to self-determination and freedom.

As we reflect on this anniversary, we remember all those who served during the Falklands War—on land, at sea, and in the air. We pay particular tribute to the 255 British service personnel, the three Falkland Islanders, and all those who lost their lives during the conflict.

We also recognise the courage, professionalism, and sacrifice of the many veterans whose actions helped secure the liberation of the islands. Their service forms an enduring part of our nation's history and a lasting testament to duty, resilience, and commitment in the face of adversity.

Today, we honour the fallen, remember the wounded, and thank all who played their part in restoring liberty to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands.

Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

06/06/2026

We will share details of how to get your copy of the new lesson plans from The Veterans Charity when they are ready to help explore "D-Day on your Doorstep".

01/06/2026

Today we remember the loss of BOAC Flight 777, one of the most intriguing and tragic aviation incidents of the Second World War. ✈️🇬🇧

On 1 June 1943, the British Overseas Airways Corporation Douglas DC-3 Ibis departed Lisbon, Portugal, bound for Whitchurch Airport, Bristol. The route was one of the few remaining civilian air corridors linking neutral Portugal with Britain during the war.

As the aircraft crossed the Bay of Biscay, it was intercepted and shot down by German Junkers Ju 88 fighters. All 17 people on board lost their lives.

Among the passengers was the internationally renowned actor Leslie Howard, famous for his role as Ashley Wilkes in Gone With the Wind and for wartime films supporting the Allied cause. His death quickly led to speculation that the aircraft had been deliberately targeted, with theories ranging from mistaken identity to intelligence-related motives.

Also aboard were:

• Alfred Chenhalls, Howard's business manager.

• Wilfrid Israel, a German-Jewish businessman and humanitarian who had played a major role in helping Jewish refugees escape N**i persecution before the war.

• Dr. Jan Karski's contacts and diplomatic travellers, along with several British and Portuguese civilians.

• BOAC crew members carrying out one of the war's most important civilian air services.

The exact reason for the attack remains debated. Some historians believe German intelligence suspected that Winston Churchill might be aboard, while others suggest Leslie Howard's wartime propaganda activities made him a person of interest. No definitive evidence has ever settled the question.

What is certain is that Flight 777 represented far more than a civilian airliner. It was part of a vital wartime transport link connecting Britain to the outside world during one of the most dangerous periods in aviation history.

Today we remember the passengers and crew of BOAC Flight 777, whose journey from Lisbon to Bristol ended in tragedy over the Bay of Biscay eighty-two years ago.

31/05/2026

Sad news from Normandy.

🚨 A French memorial to British WW2 heroes has been stolen - just days before it hosts the D-Day commemorations.
The bronze statue of the bagpipe player on the monument to the 51st Highland Infantry Division - a tribute to the British infantrymen who had stormed Juno Beach on June 6th 1944 - was stolen on Friday (May 29).
With just a week until D-Day service, French police are trying to find the one-tonne statue taken from at Bréville-les-Monts, north of Caen and bring the thieves to justice.
Visitors from Britain were due to gather around the statue next Saturday, on the 82nd anniversary of D-Day.
An investigating source says: "The statue was reported missing early on Friday morning – it was forced off its plinth, and clearly loaded on to a vehicle. A huge amount of effort went into the planned theft of a statue, which will be hard to conceal."
An early theory is that scrap metal dealers intended to smash the statue to pieces, so as to sell off the bronze.
A spokesman for Bréville-les-Monts town council said: ‘It is with great sadness that we discovered the disappearance of the statue of the bagpipe player on the monument to the 51st Highland Infantry Division.
"This was a shameful act, just one week before the D-Day commemorations."

26/05/2026

On this day in 1716, Royal Warrants formally established the Royal Artillery and Corps of Royal Engineers. 🇬🇧

For more than 300 years, Gunners and Sappers have served across the world — from battlefields and fortifications to bridges, railways and modern military operations.

Two corps whose history helped shape the British Army itself.

19/05/2026

At London’s Liverpool Street Station stands one of Britain’s most moving memorials — a tribute to the Kindertransport children who arrived there seeking safety before the Second World War. 🇬🇧🚂

The sculpture, Kindertransport – The Arrival by Frank Meisler, remembers the thousands of mainly Jewish children rescued from N**i persecution and brought to Britain by train during 1938–39.

For many, Liverpool Street was the end of a terrifying journey from occupied Europe — but also the beginning of a new life made possible through compassion, courage and determination.

Nearby, Sir Nicholas Winton is also remembered for his role in helping organise the rescue of 669 children from Czechoslovakia before war engulfed Europe.

These memorials are powerful reminders that railway stations are not only places of travel, but places where history, humanity and hope once intersected.

Happy heavenly birthday Sir Nicholas. Gone, but not forgotten.

Born on this day 1909 — Sir Nicholas Winton, Royal Air Force (RAF) veteran and the man who helped save 669 children from N**i-occupied Europe before WWII. 🇬🇧

Through the Czech Kindertransport, Winton organised trains carrying vulnerable children to safety in Britain, changing countless lives forever.

He later served in the RAF during the war, but spoke little about his extraordinary humanitarian actions for many years.

A truly remarkable legacy of courage and compassion.

18/05/2026

When we started the living memorial project the Ribbon of Poppies back in 2017, the Ribbon of Poppies Aldershot Garrison, memorial project. were among one of the earliest military supporters of a wildflower tribute to mark the centenary of the end of the Great War in 2018.

They have been growing ever since.

We have now passed the project over to our friends at The Veterans Charity as the official guardians of "growing remembrance" through nurturing nature.

Take a look at their page - https://www.veteranscharity.org.uk/ribbonofpoppies

Sow the seed!

Honour the deeds.

17/05/2026

Today is Middlesex county day.

It remembers the Battle of Albuhera:

The date was chosen to honor the heroic actions of the 57th (West Middlesex) Regiment of Foot during the Battle of Albuhera in 1811 in Spain, fought during the Peninsular War."Die Hard":

Heavily outnumbered and suffering devastating losses, the regiment's wounded commander, Lieutenant-Colonel William Inglis, famously refused to leave the field, rallying his men with the shout, "Die hard 57th, die hard!"

This inspired the regiment's nickname, "The Diehards," and is one of the earliest recorded uses of the phrase.

Happy Middlesex Day to all the Die Hards.

13/05/2026

On this day 86 years ago today Sir Winston Churchill gave his Blood, Sweat and Tears speech.

You can hear it here:

https://youtu.be/80_HXIHa724?si=lkgq-jf29Uc8DrNv

3.7K likes, 305 comments. "BLOOD, TOIL, TEARS AND SWEAT speech Winston Churchill"