War Memorials Trust History

History of War Memorials Trust

War Memorials Trust originated in the mid 1990's out of rising concern about the neglect of, and on occasion vandalism of, war memorials in the United Kingdom. The Founder of the charity, Ian Davidson, initially worked to have a war memorial in Aldershot repaired after vandals had damaged it.

In 1996 the charity, then known as Friends of War Memorials, was created with Winston S Churchill accepting the invitation to be President and Douglas R Johnston becoming Secretary and Honorary Treasurer. Countess Mountbatten of Burma kindly consented to become Patron. In May 1997 the organisation became a registered charity, with its Charity Deed including the aim:

"… to educate the public and to foster patriotism and good citizenship by remembering those who have fallen in war by preserving and maintaining war memorials."

July 1997 saw the appointment of Director General Sir Donald Thompson. And during the year the Charity gained further Trustees, Patrons and Vice Presidents.

On 1 July 1998 the Charity held its first Somme Day Ceremony at the Cenotaph on Whitehall. This event continued to be an annual service for the charity, an opportuinity for members and Friends to remember those who sacrificed their lives in conflict and, so often, lie buried overseas.

War Memorials Trust, then Friends of War Memorials, Small Grants Scheme was created in 1998 following a £5,000 donation from Halifax plc. This scheme enabled the charity to provide small grants to War Memorial projects on a regular basis.

WMT widened the scope of its activities through the work of War Memorials Trust Maritime in 1999, campaigning for the protection of naval military vessels, which had sunk, with loss of life during wartime.

In 2000 War Memorials Trust began working with English Heritage. The English Heritage Grant Scheme for War Memorial Repair and Conservation commenced and English Heritage supported the appointment of a full-time Conservation Officer for War Memorials Trust whose role involves administering both the English Heritage Grant Scheme and War Memorials Trust work.

In 2001 further Trustees were appointed and the charity continued to grow.

Articles in the Daily Telegraph in July 2002 saw War Memorials Trust receieve a positive fundraising boost as well as increase awareness of the work of the charity. Sadly for all who met him, David Graves, the journalist who wrote the article about the charity died in a diving accident just days after the piece was published. In 2003 his widow, Diana Graves, became a War Memorials Trust Vice President and this year was also the first occasion of the award of the David Graves Memorial Scheme Grant.

In 2004 the English Heritage Grant Scheme for War Memorial Repair and Conservation was replaced with a Grants for War Memorials scheme co-funded by English Heritage and The Wolfson Foundation.

At the end of 2004 the Trustees of the charity decided upon a new name, War Memorials Trust to replace the Friends of War Memorials. The change came into effect in January 2005. To support the new name the Trustees approved a change of logo which was introduced in 2005.

In March 2005 the charity lost its driving force, Director General Sir Donald Thompson, who sadly passed away. A Trust Manager was appointed to led the charity.

At the start of 2006 the charity launched a revised Small Grants Scheme. The changes saw the maximum grant rise from £250 to £1,500 (at 50% eligible costs). The result of the change was a doubling of any previous year's grant spend and offers of over £35,000 towards war memorial conservation projects across the UK were made.

2007 marks the 10th anniversary of the Trust. To mark the occasion the Trust is holding a Service at the Guards Chapel in London on Monday 16th July. In May a commemorative issue of the Bulletin was produced reviewing the first decade's achievements.

The charity continues to grow and develop. It is an important heritage and conservation organsiation which continues to rely on support from donors and members to continue its work. Thank you to those who have helped us and if this is your first visit perhaps you would like to help us.