By Faye Casey The foundation stone of a new £7 million memorial dedicated to 16,000 members of the armed forces has been laid at the National Memorial Arboretum near Lichfield.      Almost 100 people saw significant construction of the armed forces Memorial start. It was revealed that the Queen has been asked to a dedication ceremony in October - although a date has to be fixed. The stone was laid by The Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, James Hawley, Lance Corporal Jabron Hashmi's family and Vice Admiral Sir John Dunt.      L/Cpl Hashmi, whose family live in Birmingham, died in Afghanistan last July and was the first British Muslim soldier to die on active duty in that country.      Sir John represented the Armed Forces Memorial Trust of which he is chairman. The memorial will list 16,000 names of members of the Uk Armed Forces who have been killed on duty, or as a result of terrorist action, since World War Two.      "The ceremony went extremely well and up to 100 people had gathered to witness it," said Sir John. "All the key people were there and it was a very significant day.      "We will now see this magnificent memorial rise over the coming months, and hope for completion in September. It is hoped the Queen will give a dedication for it in October.      "The total cost of the memorial is £7 million and we have now raised £6 million. I like to think we are very much on the home stretch, with just under £1 million to raise. Confident      "I am quite confident the great British public will do us proud. The mound on which the memorial will stand is now complete and the foundations are laid."      Sir John said that is was hoped the funding would all be raised by the end of the summer.      "There is a great sense of excitement, people are very pleased we have got to this stage," he added.      The Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire added: "The people living in Staffordshire are very proud to host the Armed Forces Memorial which will be a place of great tranquillity.      "We welcome the opportunity to receive people from all over the UK, whether they are coming to visit the memorial to remember their loved ones, or coming to learn more about the sacrifices that have been made on behalf of the Nation." The above article and picture are used courtesy of "The Express and Star", Wolverhampton      23rd January 2007