At the end of Armistice week, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal unveiled the Not Forgotten Association's first ever monument in the grounds of The National Memorial Arboretum. Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal has been Patron of this 94 year old Charity since the year 2000 and continues to take a very close interest in the Charity's work. The unveiling comes just a few days after Armistice which heralded the end of The Great War – a war that gave rise to The Not Forgotten Association, a tri-service charity for the wounded, injured and those with disabilities from any war or campaign since.

Presidents, Trustees, Friends, Volunteers, Staff and Supporters attended the unveiling. Many had travelled hundreds of miles to attend this unique occasion for the charity they love and support so dearly.

The monument is made of solid green polished granite with a large elephants head – a symbol of the Charity's logo. The monument is triangular in shape to reflect the Not Forgotten Association's tri-service obligations.

HRH was welcomed by the Charity's Senior President, Admiral of The Fleet Sir Benjamin Bathurst who gave a welcoming address before Her Royal Highness carried out the unveiling of this 7½ foot high monument.  The monument was then blessed by the Charity's Chaplain The Reverend Peter Hewlett-Smith.

Following the unveiling ceremony HRH met all the guests at a reception and received a posy of flowers from Mrs Ann Milcoy P.A. to the Chief Executive of The Not Forgotten Association.

Amongst the guests were some of the donors who made this idea possible. Colonel Piers Storie-Pugh, Chief Executive of The Not Forgotten Association came up with the idea of the monument following numerous visits to The National Memorial Arboretum and said:

“This unique monument, located near to one of the most visited sites in The National Memorial Arboretum will stand as a focus for visitors for many generations to come and as a reminder of the suffering of the wounded and injured.  Located next to the most visited site in the Arboretum it will be of great interest to visiting groups of schoolchildren, students and cadets who will be encouraged to find the elephant's head as part of their Arboretum Questionnaire”

The Monument was built by Nick Johnson, resident Stonemason at The Arboretum and the elephant's head was created by Classical Sculptress Georgie Welch.

The Not Forgotten Association was founded in 1920 to provide entertainment, leisure and recreation to the serving and ex-service wounded and injured. It helps c.10,000 each year through a range of activities. The flagship events being the Garden Party at Buckingham Palace and a Christmas Tea Party at St. James's Palace which Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal has often attended and during which She has spoken to many of the Charity's injured beneficiaries.

For more information on www.nfassociation.org

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Phil Jenkins, Manager Communications at The Not Forgotten Association  
Email: admin@nfassociation.org or 0207 730 2400

Alison Cryer, PR contact for The Not Forgotten Association
Email: alison@representationplus.co.uk or 0208 877 4504

Lydia Hayward, PR contact at National Memorial Arboretum
E-mail lydia.hayward@teamtala.com

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