Lest We Forget: Love, Loss and Heroism in 100 British Monuments to War

What monuments to conflict, and the people they commemorate, tell us about our history and ourselves.

’When you go home, tell them of us and say, for their tomorrow we gave our today.’ John Maxwell Edmonds

Published for the eightieth anniversary of the end of World War Two, this poignant book examines the inspirations and individuals behind our statue-studded country to rediscover war-torn Britain in 100 monuments. Acclaimed historian Tessa Dunlop travels the length and breadth of the British Isles on a quest to uncover a story of national warring and national mourning, of fighting each other and of fighting together. Lest We Forget casts new light on the map of Britain through hidden treasures and uncomfortable truths, and asks what our war heroes and monuments say about us.

Why did Scotland take nearly 600 years to commemorate its most famous freedom fighter? When did Wellington become anti-Establishment? Who are the Glorious Dead? Can the Cenotaph stay above politics? Why does Balmoral Estate’s memorial have swastikas on it?

Through veteran testimony, newspaper archive and oral history, Tessa Dunlop will bring to life the personalities and the pitfalls, the pride and the pain involved in marking war across Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales in a monumental British story.

Tessa Dunlop, PhD, is a historian, author and broadcaster. She was a presenter on the BBC’s BAFTA-winning series Coast and has appeared on numerous history documentaries and talk shows, often commenting on royal news. Tessa grew up in Scotland and now lives in London with her family.