Frequently asked questions
Below is a list (in alphabetical order) of the topics about which War Memorials Trust receives the most questions. Please select the relevant topic to see the associated questions and answers. If you cannot find the information you need, please contact us.
Addition of names to war memorials
Churches containing war memorials
Commonwealth War Graves Commission memorials
Dedication and rededication ceremonies
Government funding of War Memorials Trust
National war memorial for those who fought in conflicts since 1945
Can names be added to existing war memorials?
Please see our 'Addition of names to war memorials' helpsheet for further information.
What issues arise with war memorials in Churches or Churchyards?
Please see our 'Churches containing war memorials' helpsheet for further information.
Does War Memorials Trust give grants to, or advice about, Commonwealth War Graves Commission memorials?
Some war memorials in the UK are the responsibility of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). CWGC maintain and manage these memorials as part of their remit in the UK and overseas. Any concerns or queries about CWGC memorials should be addressed directly to the Commission. War Memorials Trust can assist with reporting these concerns and give advice on war memorial related issues. However as the CWGC is funded directly by the Government War Memorials Trust will not consider applications to its grant schemes for work on these memorials as it is the responsibility of the Commission to fund this work.
Does War Memorials Trust have a list of approved contractors for the restoration of war memorials?
Please see our 'Conservation contacts' helpsheet for further information.
Why do some war memorials have the dates of the First World War as 1914 – 1918 and some have 1914 – 1919?
Please see our 'Dates on war memorials' helpsheet for further information.
What form should a war memorial dedication/re-dedication ceremony take?
Please see our 'Dedication and rededication ceremonies' helpsheet for further information.
How does War Memorials Trust define a war memorial?
Please see our 'Definition of a war memorial' helpsheet for further information.
How can we raise funds for the restoration of our war memorial? How can we raise funds for a new war memorial?
Please see our 'Helping your fundraising' helpsheet for further information.
Does War Memorials Trust receive government funding?
War Memorials Trust does not receive any government funding. We are an independent charity and as such rely entirely on voluntary donations.
How can I find out the history of a war memorial?
Please see our 'Researching the history of a war memorial' helpsheet for further information.
Why are war memorials important?
Please see our 'Importance of war memorials' helpsheet for further information.
How do I insure a war memorial? Can War Memorials Trust recommend a firm to insure a war memorial? Can War Memorials Trust provide a valuation of a war memorial for insurance purposes?
Please see our 'Insurance for war memorials' helpsheet for further information.
What legislation covers war memorials? Does War Memorials Trust have any legal powers?
Please see our 'Parliamentary Acts related to war memorials' helpsheet for further information.
Does War Memorials Trust have a list of all the war memorials in the UK?
War Memorials Trust only holds information about war memorials which we have helped through our grant schemes or casework. As a result the Trust does not have a definitive list of all the war memorials in the UK.
The Trust recommends contacting the UK National Inventory of War Memorials based at the Imperial War Museum (T: 020 7207 9863/9851, W: www.ukniwm.org.uk). The Inventory aims to compile a comprehensive record of all war memorials in the UK.
What is listing? Why should war memorials be listed? How do I apply for a war memorial to be listed?
Please see our 'Listing war memorials' helpsheet for further information.
How can I maintain a war memorial? How do I know if a war memorial needs restoration or conservation?
Please see our 'Advice on maintenance of war memorials' booklet, 'Looking after your war memorial' and 'Preparing a method statement' helpsheets for further information.
How can I research the people named on a war memorial?
Please see our 'Researching the names on a war memorial' helpsheet for further information.
Where is the National Memorial Arboretum?
The National Memorial Arboretum is the UK’s living and lasting memorial to commemorate those who have served their country, died or suffered as a result of conflict. It is located on Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire DE13 7AR, T: 01283 792333, W: www.thenma.org.uk.
Is there a national war memorial for those who have fought and died in conflicts since 1945?
The Armed Forces memorial is the first national memorial dedicated to the men and women of the UK Armed Forces (Regular and Reserve) killed on duty or as a result of terrorist action since the Second World War. It is situated at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
Does War Memorials Trust fund the creation of new war memorials? Why does War Memorials Trust not fund the creation of new war memorials?
Although War Memorials Trust supports projects to create new war memorials, we are unfortunately no longer able to help with their funding through our grant schemes.
There is a very high demand for our grants which means that we have to prioritise those projects which we are able to support with our very limited resources. The Trust’s work must, therefore, be focused on the conservation and repair of existing war memorials.
Please see our 'New war memorials' helpsheet for further information.
Does War Memorials Trust have any information about overseas war memorials? Why does War Memorials Trust not fund work to overseas war memorials? Why does War Memorials Trust only operate in the UK?
War Memorials Trust’s remit only covers war memorials in the UK and so we do not hold information about overseas memorials.
Although War Memorials Trust understands the significance and importance of the many overseas war memorials, we are unfortunately unable to help with the funding of their restoration and conservation through our grant schemes.
The UK National Inventory of War Memorials estimates that there are over 100,000 war memorials in the UK which means that we have to prioritise those projects which we are able to support with our limited resources. The Trust’s work must, therefore, be focused on the conservation and repair of existing war memorials in the UK only.
Please see links to the websites of memorial-related organisations which operate overseas.
Who owns/is responsible for war memorials?
Please see our 'Ownership of war memorials' helpsheet for further information.
Does War Memorials Trust want photographs of my local war memorial?
War Memorials Trust only holds information about war memorials which we have helped through our grant schemes or casework. We do not have the facilities to store information about all war memorials across the UK.
Instead, we would suggest that you contact the UK National Inventory of War Memorials based at the Imperial War Museum (T: 020 7207 9863/9851, W: www.ukniwm.org.uk). The Inventory aims to compile a comprehensive record of all war memorials in the UK.
Do I need any permissions or consents from the local planning authority to carry out works to war memorials?
Please see our 'Planning in England and Wales' helpsheet for further information
How can I prevent theft from war memorials? What should I do if a theft has occured?
War Memorials Trust has published guidance with English Heritage and Historic Scotland on how to prevent theft from war memorials and what to do if a theft has occured. The guidance is also applicable in Wales.
Please see our 'War Memorial Theft' helpsheet for further information.
Can you tell me where my relative is commemorated?
War Memorials Trust only holds information about war memorials which we have helped through our grant schemes or casework. As a result the Trust does not have a definitive list of all the war memorials in the UK nor those commemorated on them.
The Trust would recommend contacting the UK National Inventory of War Memorials based at the Imperial War Museum (T: 020 7207 9863/9851, W: www.ukniwm.org.uk). The Inventory aims to compile a comprehensive record of all war memorials in the UK and maybe able to provide the location details of war memorials which could potentially feature a relative’s name (e.g. war memorials in the area where the relative lived or worked, regimental war memorials, work place memorials, etc).
Can war memorials be relocated? How do I relocate a war memorial? Does War Memorials Trust fund the relocation of war memorials?
Please see our 'Relocation of war memorials' helpsheet for further information.
Should war memorials be bought and sold? What should I do if I see a war memorial for sale?
Please see our 'War memorials for sale' helpsheet for further information.
Can we claim back the VAT incurred during the repair and maintenance of our war memorial?
Work to the existing fabric of a memorial is usually subject to VAT, while new works are zero-rated. The Customs and Excise VAT Notice 708: Buildings and Construction (March 1995) is a useful guide. With regards to our grant schemes, War Memorials Trust will offer a grant based on the assumption that all work is liable to VAT, unless applicants tell us that they are able to reclaim some or all of the VAT (this should be investigated before applying for a grant).
For further information about whether or not you can reclaim VAT, the Trust suggests contacting the HM Revenue and Customs national advice service helpline on 0845 010 9000 or visit www.hmrc.gov.uk.
Additionally, the Memorials Grant Scheme maybe of use. This is a temporary scheme pending the outcome of a Government request to the European Commission to add the building and repair of memorials to the list of reduced VAT rates into which member states can opt. The scheme will currently remain in place until March 2011 unless a permanent reduced VAT rate is agreed in the meantime.
The Memorials Grant Scheme returns as a grant the VAT incurred by charities or faith groups exempted from the need to register as charities in building, repairing or maintaining public memorial structures. Eligible memorials must be recognised as memorials (rather than, say, statues) by means of an appropriate permanent inscription. Memorials can be to a person, people, animals or events. Eligible structures cannot have any secondary purpose, e.g. memorial benches are not covered. Neither are gravestones, mausolea or any structure which houses or indicates the whereabouts of remains considered eligible. Memorials must be publicly accessible for a minimum of 30 hours per week, even if an entrance fee is payable to gain access (e.g. at an English Heritage site). Eligible work includes all stages of construction and design, including professional fees, plus incidental planting (though memorials which constitute a garden or planting only are not eligible). Further details of eligibility can be found at www.memorialgrant.org.uk. Any group that is planning a large memorial project is advised to contact the scheme in advance to discuss eligibility.
Does War Memorials Trust fund work to war graves? Why does War Memorials Trust not fund work to war graves?
Although War Memorials Trust understands that some headstones in UK Churchyards and cemeteries make reference to military service and involvement in wars or conflicts, we are unfortunately unable to help with the funding of their restoration and conservation when they mark the spot where the body is buried.
The UK National Inventory of War Memorials estimates that there are over 100,000 war memorials in the UK, and this does not include headstones which make reference to wars or conflicts and mark where the body is present. The Trust has to prioritise those projects which we are able to support with our limited resources. Our work, therefore, focuses on the conservation and repair of existing war memorials in the UK only.
Please see our 'Definition of a war memorial' helpsheet for further information.
Who can lay wreaths on a war memorial during a Remembrance service? How long should wreaths stay on war memorials after a Remembrance service?
There are no definitive 'rules' about wreaths on war memorials and the format of Remembrance services. As the vast majority of war memorials were created by the local community, decisions about war memorials are generally held to be up to the local community. Therefore, whatever the local community feels is appropriate would be suitable. War Memorials Trust would only recommend the premature removal of wreaths from war memorials if they are causing damage to the fabric of the memorial.
