Monday, 20 July 2026

The Defence Dog Memorial at Melton Mowbray

 


Commissioned in 2014 from the artist Loyd LeBlanc, the Defence Dogs Memorial stands outside the offices of the Melton Borough Council in Burton Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. The memorial consists of a German shepherd dog, a springer spaniel and a Labrador retriever. The memorial recognizes the courage and partnership of military dogs and their handlers, trained at at the nearby Defence Animal Centre since 1946. Two of the dogs trained here have been awarded the PDSA Dicken Medal for gallantry and devotion to duty while serving. It is considered to be the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross.

The project was made possible through contributions of Melton Council, Leicestershire County Council and fundraising of the Defence Animal Centre personnel.

Learn more about the Defence Animal Centre here: https://www.army.mod.uk/news/behind-the-scenes-at-the-defence-animal-training-regiment/




Monday, 13 July 2026

Thurnby Lodge War Memorial



In November 2021 a new war memorial was unveiled on the green at Thurnby Lodge. The monument was revealed in Willowbrook Park after local city councillors & residents worked together to bring the idea to fruition.
Cllr Aldred and local resident Chris Hopewell  fundraised thousands of pounds towards the memorial. The unveiling was attended by around 300 people including the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Deepak Bajaj, Lady Cadets, local clergyman the Reverend Paul Savage and bagpiper Tommy Lierd. Benches and other features were added later. 



Monday, 6 July 2026

Weymouth War Memorial

 


Unveiled on 06th November 1921 in front of a huge crowd led by local clergy and civic dignitaries, Weymouth war memorial s located at the northern end of The Esplanade at the junction with Brunswick Terrace., The Esplanade (B3155), Weymouth, Weymouth And Portland, Dorset, DT4 7NG. It was designed by local sculptor  Francis W Doyle Jones from Portland stone with bronze plaques. Plaques to remember the fallen of the Second World War were added on 8th May 1949.

It is now in the care of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, which recently replaced some of the more corroded plaques.