Armed Forces Memorial
"Our flexible approach and attention to detail has enabled us to be involved with this nationally important project, of which we are all very proud." Paul Holmes, Senior Site Manager
The new national Armed Forces Memorial near Lichfield in Staffordshire was dedicated in the presence of HM The Queen on 12 October 2007. Designed by Liam O’Connor Architects, Osborne was honoured to have been awarded the £5 million construction contract in July 2006.
The Memorial will provide a lasting tribute to the thousands of UK Armed Forces servicemen and women killed on duty since the Second World War.
The monument comprises a 50m diameter, 5m high stone circle set on a 6m mound next to the River Trent within the 150-acre National Memorial Arboretum - an ideal setting in the heart of the UK to ensure that the Memorial is accessible to all.
The Memorial consists of both curved and straight walls made of masonry core covered with Portland stone panels on which the names will be engraved. The stone is quarried in Portland, Dorset and sent to Northern Ireland where it is cut and shaped, with names engraved by machine to an accuracy of 0.2mm.
The finishes around the walls are Portland stone paving around the wall bases with the remaining area covered with Bredon Gravel. A gentle 300m long spiral path, with 57 evergreen oak trees planted on the outer edge, gives access to the top of the mound.
The circular path arrives at the top of the Memorial alongside the obelisk that stands 
12m high. At the heart of the monument are two bronze sculptures by Ian Rank-Broadley, one of which stands at the “door” in-line with the solar slot which, weather permitting, allows the sun to cast light onto the bronze wreath in the centre on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
BBC ONE commisioned an hour-long documentary that was broadcast on 4 November 2007, charting the construction process and exploring some of the personal stories of the individuals who will be commemorated on the Memorial.
For more information contact civilengineering@osborne.co.uk