The last 60 years
Since the end of the Second World War the United Kingdom Armed Forces have been deployed on operations worldwide. Palestine, Korea, Egypt, Malaya, Borneo and Kenya are to name but a few of the countries where they have served.
More recently the Falklands, the Gulf Wars and operations in Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan are further examples of where the Armed Forces have played a vital part.
The wider role
In addition to war-fighting, the UK Armed Forces have carried out a variety of tasks in their various roles throughout the world – such as humanitarian relief in Rwanda and Angola; peacekeeping in Cyprus and the Balkans; monitoring operations in Mozambique, Georgia and Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and disaster relief in Italy, the Caribbean and Bangladesh. While at home in a very different role, they have provided assistance to the civil authorities, for example, during the fire fighters’ dispute and in rescue operations both on land and at sea.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary and the Merchant Navy
The invaluable contribution made by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and the Merchant Navy, without whom the Armed Forces would not have been able to achieve their objectives, will not be overlooked. The new memorial will also commemorate those who have given their lives in conflict zones while in direct support of the Armed Forces.
ATLANTIC CONVEYOR, Falkland Islands 1982
Royal Marine Commandos from HMS FEARLESS, 2001
Royal Military Police in Kabul, 2002
RAF Chinooks in the Slovak Republic
