The Basra Memorial Wall is a truly poignant monument to the 178 UK service personnel and one Ministry of Defence (MoD) civilian who lost their lives on combat operations in Iraq and also lists members of Coalition Forces who were killed whilst under UK command during six years of conflict.

The original memorial was built in Basra in 2006 and stood outside the front of the Head quarters of the Multi-National Division (South East). Following the end of operations, the Basra Memorial Wall was brought back to the UK and rebuilt. The original  wall was built and dismantled, and the new wall constructed at the Arboretum by British soldiers from 37th Armoured Engineer Squadron in a personal gesture to commemorate their fallen comrades.

The brass plaques on this memorial are the originals place on the wall when it was in situ in BAsra, Iraq. The Plaques are cleaned twice a year; before the anniversary of the end of combat operations in Iraq and before Armistice, but in between they will be allowed to weather naturally. This will allow the detail on these original plaques to last for as long as possible for the benefit of future generations.*

*From the National Memorial Arboretum Guidebook Edition 4