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# Call for war cemetery alongside National Memorial Arboretum
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/call-for-war-cemetery-alongside-national-memorial-arboretum/
- Published: 2009-11-09T10:12:22.000Z
- Updated: 2009-11-09T10:28:16.000Z
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Alrewas, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 21:52, News

![The National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/nationalmemorialarboretum.jpg "nationalmemorialarboretum")

The National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas

The former commander of British soldiers in Afghanistan has called for the introduction of a war cemetery alongside the National Memorial Arboretum near Lichield.

Brig Ed Butler made his comments in an article for [the Telegraph](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/defence/6514320/Is-now-the-time-to-think-about-a-National-War-Cemetery.html?ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk) and suggested that the need for a National War Cemetery was apparent following the continued loss of life in Afghanistan.

He added that the introduction of a burial ground at Alrewas could provide a “sense of pride” and “national honour” similar to that achieved by the [Arlington National Cemetery](http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/?ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk) in the United States.

Brig Butler wrote in the newspaper:

> “We owe it to our brave servicemen and women, who have paid the final price, to provide them with a fitting and permanent resting place and memorial where not just their families, but also the ordinary public can pay their respects and express their gratitude. A National Cemetery alongside the National Arboretum in Lichfield would, in my view, go some way in providing this.  
>  
> “As the drum beat of British servicemen killed in action continues relentlessly is it now time to consider a National War Cemetery?”

The National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas is home to [memorials](http://www.thenma.org.uk/content/Memorials-at-the-Arboretum-1136.shtml?ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk) for members of the Armed Forces, emergency services and other organisations.