At the Ambulance Services Benevolent Fund AGM, in 2002 a proposal was tabled to look into the feasibilty of erecting a suitable and befitting memorial for all Ambulance Personnel, regardless of rank or the discipline in which they served, who had died during their employed career from whatever cause. A Memorial Appeal Fund was quickly established and after a great deal of hard work and planning, sometimes working against all odds, this idea became a reality when a Memorial was unveiled by Rosie Winterton MP, Minister of State of Health, on 16th September, 2004, at the National Memorial Arboretum based at Alrewas, Staffordshire.
During this process names were gradually submitted to the Committee and the question was then asked “what should we do with these names?”. It was agreed to create a permanent ‘Book of Remembrance’ to honour them as well as to create a lasting tribute for their families. This web-site has since been created as an electronic version so we could reach a wider audience and rightly honour our colleagues.
This appears to be the first and only National list ever compiled, so has now become an historic document for future generations. While extraordinary care has been taken to include all the names of NHS Ambulance Personnel who have died whilst still in employment, we acknowledge the inevitability of error, and hereby vow to publish any names who may have been left off inadvertently (please email: asbf.enquiries@hotmail.co.uk ).
We believe our Ambulance Memorial and 'Roll of Honour' rightly honours and provides a service that treasures and shares the memories of those we have loved, worked with and lost.
The Trustees can confirm that no Ambulance Services Benevolent Fund finances were used for the Ambulance Memorial or its up-keep, only money specifically donated for this purpose. However, the Trustees are very proud to have been able to have created such a lasting Memorial and a long overdue focal point for bereaved families to attend to reflect on their loved ones and their service to others. If you would like to leave a tribute to any found within this site, then please visit the guest book page, thank you.
The Ambulance Memorial is located on the right hand side of the entrance to the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) and is clearly visible as you enter and drive towards the main car park area. The NMA is located between Birmingham and Derby, just off the A38 north of Lichfield and south of Burton on Trent. You will see brown signs from the A38 directing you to the A513 junction signposted for Tamworth, where you will find the Arboretum. The address is Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire DE13 7AR.
You are welcome to visit the Arboretum free of charge. However, donations are welcomed to help with the maintenance and upkeep of the site and visitors by car should be aware that a parking charge of £2.00 per day will be introduced during the summer of 2008.
For more information why not visit: http://www.nationalmemorialarboretum.org/
We leave for you a gift: this graceful garden,
Its gentle sounds, sweet scents and glorious views,
A place to walk, to meditate and muse,
To pause and learn of those whose lives were broken.
We are the children and the grandchildren,
The wives, the friends, of people still held dear;
Whose sacrifice is celebrated here,
Their lives touched ours: we will remember them.
Estelle Lawrence
