About UKNIWM

War memorials are a familiar site in the landscape of the United Kingdom (UK). They provide insight into not only the changing face of commemoration but also military history, social history and art history. There are an estimated 70,000 war memorials throughout the UK in many differing forms, from the frequently-seen community crosses or plaques to buildings, lych gates, gardens, hospitals, organs, chapels and windows. The UK National Inventory of War Memorials database marks the unique place that they have in our nation's history and provides for the first time a UK wide database of these memorials commemorating all conflicts, not just those of the First and Second World War.

The UK National Inventory of War Memorials is a registered charity run by two full-time members of staff but the collection of data has been carried out almost entirely by a vast team of volunteers who have completed standard recording forms and taken photographs. These volunteers include local and family history groups, schools and colleges, parish councils and various veterans organisations. Some have sent information on one local memorial, others have tirelessly searched countywide, through parish records and newspaper archives to collate a thorough survey of large areas of the country.

Attempts had been made previously to carry out a survey of war memorials. In 1921 the Imperial War Museum launched an appeal for photographs of memorials but the response was poor and no other attempt was made to record this unparalleled programme of construction. Consequently, no centralised record was ever made of exactly what was being erected, where and by whom.
Over 70 years later, concern was starting to be expressed as to the condition of some memorials and the fear that they would be lost for ever, a fate which unfortunately had already befallen some. As a result, the UK National Inventory of War Memorials was established in 1989 to try and record these memorials of the First World War, and all other historic conflicts. Based at the Imperial War Museum, this was a joint initiative between the Museum and the Royal Commission on the Historic Monuments of England, now merged with English Heritage.

 

The UK National Inventory of War Memorials is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity.

Registration Number: 5150239 (England and Wales)

Charity Registration Number: 1108563

Principal office:

UK National Inventory of War Memorials

Imperial War Museum

Lambeth Road

London SE1 6HZ

Enquiries to the UK National Inventory of War Memorials

The UK National Inventory of War Memorials, part of the Imperial War Museum, aims to ensure that all enquiries it receives are answered as quickly and helpfully as possible.

If you have an enquiry relating to our material, click here for our contact details.

Getting the information you want from the UK National Inventory of War Memorials

To get the most from the Inventory’s enquiry service, you should consider the following points:

Will the Museum have the information you require?  The UK National Inventory of War Memorials covers memorials from all conflicts that have been erected in the UK. We do not have information on places of burial or memorials located overseas. Click here for our Links page and a list of relevant institutions that may be able to help.

Are you looking for something relating to our collection?  Click here to look at the memorials database. Make your enquiry as clear and concise as possible.  If you are specific about the information you want, you are likely to be answered more quickly, as your enquiry will not require further clarification. 

What you can expect from the UK National Inventory of War Memorials

The UK National Inventory of War Memorials answers all enquiries, whether sent by post, fax, email and telephone or given in person.
 
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information Regulations 2004 establish a general right of access to information held by public bodies such as the Museum, subject to certain exemptions.  Your enquiry should be in writing (by post, fax or email) for it to be covered by the Freedom of Information Act, so it is best to write if you want to know something specific about the Museum’s operation or policies.   For further information on Freedom of Information click upload/pdf/IWMPublicationSchemev3.pdf  NB: General research enquiries are not covered by either the Freedom of Information Act or the Environmental Information Regulations

The Museum will answer enquiries as soon as possible and within 20 working days.

Some more complicated enquiries may take longer.  You will be kept informed if this is the case.
Every effort will be taken to ensure that your enquiry is answered as fully as possible.  However, the Museum is not able to give a full answer to enquiries requiring a great deal of research.  In these cases, you will be sent as much information as possible, together with advice on visiting the Museum to carry out further research in person.

Sometimes, the UK National Inventory of War Memorials may not hold the information required.  In these cases, contact details of alternative institutions that may be of assistance will be given if known.

Some information held by the UK National Inventory of War Memorials may not be released to the public as it affects issues such as Imperial War Museum and UK National Inventory of War Memorials security and individual privacy. The UK National Inventory of War Memorials will always explain clearly the reasons for withholding such information should it be requested as part of an enquiry.  The UK National Inventory of War Memorials will also give details of who to appeal to should you wish to do so.

Complaints

If you have a complaint about the way your enquiry has been handled you should contact the Director-General of the Imperial War Museum, Diane Lees, at:
Imperial War Museum
Lambeth Road 
London SE1 6HZ

stating the date of your enquiry and the department and member of staff who dealt with it.  If possible, you should also enclose copies of any correspondence.

Complaints will be forwarded to the appropriate Head of Department, Division or Branch. 
The Director-General will always deal with appeals against decisions to withhold information under the Freedom of Information Act.

You will receive a response to your complaint within 10 working days.