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The IWM WMR Definition of a War Memorial

 
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stuartn



Joined: 13 Dec 2016
Posts: 2551

PostPosted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 10:06 am    Post subject: The IWM WMR Definition of a War Memorial Reply with quote

I thought it might be useful to post here the Imperial War Museum's War Memorials Register current Definition of a War Memorial.

One of the interesting things about this definition is that it excludes the Government sponsored paving stones for WW1 winners of the VC as they are considered to be mass produced memorials.

Definition of a war memorial

A war memorial is any tangible object which has been erected or dedicated to commemorate war, conflict, victory or peace; or casualties who served in, were affected by or killed as a result of war, conflict or peacekeeping; or those who died as a result of accident or disease whilst engaged in military service.

WMR records:

1. memorials located in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man

2. memorials to conflicts from any point in history to the present day

3. memorials that commemorate the impact or acts of war, conflict or victory

4. memorials that record thanksgiving for the safe return of individuals, the coming of peace or the prevention of war

5. dedications that have been added to other gravestones which commemorate a war casualty buried elsewhere

6. memorials that commemorate the service, return or death of military personnel during war, conflict or peacetime irrespective of the cause of death, as well as deaths after the end of the conflict as a result of wounds or the effects of war

7. memorials that commemorate the wartime service or death of civilians serving in non-combatant organisations

8. memorials that commemorate civilians, including refugees and internees who suffered or died as a result of enemy action or in a war related accident as well as a consequence of war or conflict

9. memorials to the service, suffering and death of animals during wartime

WMR does not record:

1. memorials located outside the UK, Channel island and Isle of Man, even if they commemorate British citizens

2. headstones or grave-markers marking the place of burial of an individual or group of people killed as a result of war or conflict (including any grave, Memorial to the Missing, Cross of Sacrifice and Stone of Remembrance that is the responsibility of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission)

3. houses, buildings or artefacts (e.g. medals) associated with people who died, served or suffered in war but which have no dedication as a memorial to that wartime experience

4. plaques, badges, medals or symbols recognising the existence of military units solely as units but not representing their active service or a war/conflict role

5. commemorations to those who had once served in the armed forces or in a civilian non-combatant organisation during wartime but whose death occurred subsequently and was not a result of their service

6. dedication plaques marking wartime non-military campaigns or activities

7. memorials, plaques, badges or symbols at the birth place, home or to the life of a well-known individual not dedicated to their wartime service

8. published or mass produced rolls of honour

9. individual horticultural elements within a larger horticulture setting

10. official items such as Next of Kin Memorial Plaques (known as Dead Man’s Pennies), scrolls or service medals

11. body art or body parts

12. any intangible items such as events created in memory of conflict such as charity runs

What standing does this definition have?

This definition outlines what is recorded by IWM’s War Memorials Register. The definition was prepared and agreed in 2014 as part of the First World War commemoration activities by members of the War Memorials Action Group. This definition has no legal status but is a working definition to help the public and organisations identify a shared understanding of what is meant by a war memorial. Other organisations may only fund, list or identify certain types or categories of war memorial.

What do you mean by ‘erected or dedicated’?

To be considered a memorial the object must have a clearly defined and stated commemorative purpose. This purpose can be expressed in the wording on the memorial itself or in a printed document, or it might be a newspaper announcement. A formal unveiling ceremony need not have taken place, although these are very common.

What types of events do you include within the terms ‘conflict’ or ‘war’?

Conflict/war includes formally declared states of war, armed conflict, civil war, rebellion and acts of terrorism. None of those organisations party to this definition makes any judgment on conflicts nor promotes any political or other viewpoint associated with either specific conflicts or the general principle of conflict.

What do you mean by military service?

Military service refers to service in any of the armed forces during war, conflict or peacetime and the subsequent return home as well as deaths after the end of the conflict as a result of wounds or the effects of war.

Do you include civilian commemorations?

WMA includes commemorations to civilians

· who served in wartime non-combatant services including, but not exclusive to Merchant Marine Service, Red Cross, Home Guard, Air Raid Wardens, Fire Watchers and similar groups involved with a war effort.

· whose death occurred as a result of enemy action or in a war related accident as well as a consequence of war or conflict

Why do you include memorials to animals?

Commemorations of animals which were killed, or gave assistance or companionship, in war or conflict are included because they represent the diversity of people’s experiences of war and conflict and this includes their wish to commemorate the role of animals.

Who do you include within the term ‘casualty’?

A casualty includes military personnel, civilians and animals.

What do you mean by ‘published roll of honour’?

Unique items such as a handwritten or printed scroll or illustrated book are recorded by WMR. Published rolls of honour where many copies were produced are not recorded.

What do you mean by ‘individual horticultural elements’?

Where specific planting of trees, hedging or flowers has taken place to form a memorial garden or arboretum, WMR would record the memorial as a whole. For example an avenue of trees will be recorded as a single memorial even if each tree has a separate dedication. However, if a tree is planted in isolation to any other elements, for example it is a war memorial tree in a council park the individual tree will be recorded.

When to create a new record and when to edit an existing one

When an inscription for a later war is added to a pre-existing memorial, this counts as part of the original memorial. However, a clearly separate memorial should be created as a new memorial (e.g. A tablet commemorating the Second World War being hung next to a tablet commemorating the First World War.)
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Kenneth Morrison



Joined: 29 Sep 2008
Posts: 7749
Location: Rockcliffe Dalbeattie

PostPosted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 6:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry Stuart but somebody has too much time on their hands Rolling Eyes

If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck etc., etc., etc.
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stuartn



Joined: 13 Dec 2016
Posts: 2551

PostPosted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 8:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ken,

Tell me about it. You won't be surprised to hear this was dreamt up by a large committee.

I agree with the quacks like a duck..., and have a healthy disrespect for it, but do have to be seen to be working to it, most of the time.

Anyone who has seen the Zetland County Memorial in Lerwick would be amazed at the huge debate we had on whether it was one or two memorials (one for each conflict)-a debate I ultimately won when I pointed out that SNH specifically listed it as an integral single memorial, and so this definition was simply incorrect in that case.

You'd be surprised by how many ambiguities this still leaves and where we still have to or should take advice.

We just had it recirculated at the weekend, hence why I had a copy at hand to post here. I am told this is an update although I can't see the differences from v1.

The VC paving stones issue really upset me, as did the one to exclude all CWGC crosses of sacrifice-although that decision was subsequently placed in abeyance as no one, even the CWGC, has a list of which are theirs and which are local copies.
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Kenneth Morrison



Joined: 29 Sep 2008
Posts: 7749
Location: Rockcliffe Dalbeattie

PostPosted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 9:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I can understand why the VC paving stone issue is upsetting, Stuart.
It does seem illogical and puts in question all the pre-printed (mass produced?) Rolls of Honour provided by, for example, the Church of Scotland for the use of individual parishes.
There are a number of Company/Business/Factory Rolls on the Project which were clearly produced by Printers for use by their customers, so again mass-produced?
Anyway - Keep Calm, etc.
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