Acerca de
Ceremony of Dedication
The Forest of Dean Korean War and Imjin Veterans’ Memorial was unveiled in a Ceremony of Dedication on Friday, 24 April 2026 in the Cyril Hart Arboretum, Coleford, Glos. The Ceremony was attended by approximately 400 civic and military dignitaries, veterans' families and friends, community groups and organisations, and local residents.
Ceremony participants were accompanied to the memorial by Standard Bearers from the Royal British Legion, the Gloucestershire County and Forest of Dean RGBW Regimental Associations and the Korean Veterans' Association courtesy of Royal Fusilier veteran, Peter Gallaway. The Parade Marshal was Robert Perkins.
Singer, Izzy Marriott ,set the tone for the ceremony with her beautiful rendition of Forest of Dean anthem, The Land Between Two Rivers by Dick Brice. The ceremony was hosted by Roger Deeks, Deputy Lieutenant, Gloucestershire Lieutenancy, who welcomed everyone and explained the rationale behind the memorial. Dame Janet Trotter DBE CVO gave an opening address and unveiled the memorial with help from local scout leaders, Lt Sarah Stokes and Lt Mick Stokes. The Service of Dedication was led by The Reverend Bea Erskine. Local poet, Maggie Clutterbuck, recited her poem which had been commissioned for the occasion, entitled To The Foresters of the Glorious Glosters. Students from The Dean Academy, Ava-Lily Winter and Alfie Blake read out the names of the sixteen veterans who are named on the memorial. The Exhortation and Kohima Epitaph were recited by Andrew Gardiner, memorial designer and brother of one of the named veterans.
Wreaths were laid by Vivienne Hargreaves DL on behalf of The King; Matt Bishop MP, Forest of Dean; Di Martin, Chair of Forest of Dean District Council; Captain(N) Park on behalf of the Embassy of Republic of Korea; Brigadier (Retired) Martin Vine OBE on behalf of The Gloucestershire Regiment; Anny Reid OBE ARRC on behalf of the Royal British Legion, Gloucestershire; and Pamela Walker on behalf of veterans' families.
Music was performed by Forest of Dean Brass conducted by Paul Merrow, with bugler, Rojer Phelps, playing the call to order, The Last Post and Reveille.
The Ceremony of Dedication was followed by a Reception at Speech House Hotel
in the Edwin Tauber Suite.
Reception and First Aid services were provided by volunteers, Julie Jones and Leanne Drew, from Forest of Dean District Council.
Car parking marshals were volunteers from Royal Forest of Dean Rotary Club.
The Imjin Veterans' Memorial Group also acknowledge the support given by Forestry England and the Cyril Hart Arboretum volunteers.