GAINST the rural backdrop of the National Memorial Arboretum, at the heart of its 150-acre grounds, stands the £7 million Armed Forces Memorial.
The imposing 140ft wide, 15ft high, Portland stone circle funded by the Armed Forces Memorial Trust is sited on a 20ft tumulus.
But project director Lieutenant Colonel Richard Callander admits that he had 'no idea at all' of what the memorial should look like.
"I wanted to be able to have peace, quiet, tranquility; the thought of trees came to mind, water," he said. "But more than that, really no idea at all. But I think, probably, the most important thing I wanted to be able to do was to touch; to be able to reach up and touch the person who I was thinking of."
At the summit of the tumulus stand two straight walls,lying east to west, within a circular enclosure; the Portland stone panels bearing the roll of honour a memorial which architect Liam O'Connor wanted to be 'a place of light and space and ultimately, I hope, peace'.
Lying to the east of the 1,000 tons of Portland stone stands a slender obelisk, bearing the inscription: "They died serving their country. We will remember them."
At the heart of the vast monument are two bronze sculptures, embodying the loss and sacrifice of those it remembers.
Produced by Ian Rank-Broadley, the sculpture to the north depicts a wounded serviceman being raised aloft on a stretcher by comrades; a mother a child hugging her tightly around the waist looks on, while a couple, wrapped up in each others arms, fall to the floor in anguish.
The sculpture to the south shows the scene of a wounded hero being gathered, while a figure points to a world where he can be peacefully laid to rest; a world represented by a slit in the wall which will allow a beam of sunlight to filter through, onto the centre stone, at exactly 11.00 am on the 11th day of the 11th month Armistice Day every year.
A gently-spiralling path leads down from the memorial, lined with meticulously clipped, evergreen trees.
Landscapers UPM Tilhill planted 57 of the four-metre tall Holm oaks - each valued at £2,500 - to offset the monument, complete with the laying
of 7,500sq metres of turf.
"It was a huge privilege and an honour to have undertaken such a key role in the creation of this prestigious national project," said Richard Sochacki, district manager of UPM Tilhill.
"It is wonderful to help bring to fruition such a grand design that draws together landscape and sculptural elements to such powerful effect.
"You really cannot fail to be Landscapers UPM Tilhill planted moved by the result." The Armed Forces Memorial opens to the public on Monday, October 29.
FORTY steps, nearly 16,000 names. But the memorial isn't just about names and numbers.
For behind every name is a story. A family. A wife. A husband. A mother. A father. A brother. A sister. A son. A daughter. Friends. Comrades.
However close the connection, the void still remains. However much time has since passed, the pain is still ever present.
Some have waited 60 years for recognition for those they have loved and lost. But for all of them, it is the final chapter of a painful story; a story of pride - and of sorrow.
For Joyce Manners, from Lichfield, Friday was a chance to pay tribute to the cousin she never knew.
Mrs Manners, 74, of Swinfen Broun Road, searched the humbling lists of names for Private Robert John Brimblecombe, who served with the 2nd Battalion The Queen's Regiment - killed in Northern Ireland on June 23, 1969. He was 19-years-old.
Mrs Manners only found out about her cousin more than 25 years ago, whilst tracing her family tree.
"I'm really pleased to have been able to come," she said.
"I didn't think I would get a ticket because I wasn't his mother or anyone really close - just a cousin. But he is still my blood and it was important for me to come.
"It's wonderful that they are all now remembered in one place.
"I spoke to a couple of servicemen and asked them how old they were and they were 18 and 19, the same age as Robert was when he died; they are still just boys."
Mrs Manners now hopes to trace Pvt Brimblecombe's three younger brothers so that they too may witness the long-overdue recognition for their brother's life.
A further 92 names of the servicemen and women so far this year who, like Robert, have paid the ultimate price for Queen and country are ready to be added to the roll of honour next year.
The bare walls, with space for a further 15,000 names, a chilling reminder of the sacrifices to come.
A recorded tribute by the Prince of Wales was played at the start of the ceremony. Here are his words.
"THERE is no doubt that the men and women of our Armed Forces, both regular and reserve, are among the most highly trained in the world today.
"We rely on their professionalism, loyalty and dedication to duty to carry out extremely demanding tasks, often in the most difficult and dangerous of circumstances.
"The magnificence of this new memorial will at long last provide a fitting recognition for all those killed on duty since the end of the Second World War.
"It does not differentiate between those killed in the heat of battle or on training exercises, by terrorist action or on peacekeeping missions; we simply owe them all an enormous debt of gratitude.
"Uniquely, this memorial also acknowledges the courage and enduring sacrifice of family and friends left behind.
"This is a place where they, too, can receive the nation's thanks; where those of all ages, all faiths and connections will feel welcome and included.
"The scale of this memorial is a poignant reminder to us all of the continuing cost of the democracy and freedom we enjoy, as well as the constant sacrifices being made on our behalf around the world.
"I do very much hope that you will find it a place of peace and reflection."
