A There are a number of sources that can be used to discover when a memorial was erected and who by especially for those that were erected to commemorate the Boer War of 1899-1902, the First World War and all subsequent conflicts.  The following sources are worth trying:

• UK National Inventory of War Memorials: Yes, us! Not all the records in the archive have full details about each memorial but it is worth checking that the information has not already been researched
• Local or Family History Society: Someone might already have done research into the memorial so again it is worth checking before embarking on your own research
• Record Office or Local History Centre: Good for Committee minutes and plans. However, the erection of war memorials was done on an ad hoc basis so the quality and quantity of minutes varies enormously depending upon how bureaucratic the memorial committee was.
• Local newspapers: The erection of war memorials was a very newsworthy event so the press often followed the erection of a war memorial from its inception to its unveiling
• Church records: Useful for memorials erected on church premises as, in theory, faculties  i.e. planning permission, had to be issued to approve the erection of the memorial
• Ask around: Some of the local population might have records in their homes. Try putting an advert in the local paper asking for information.