Labour has called for a national memorial to honour the contribution made on the ‘home front’ during the First World War.

Vernon Coaker MP, Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary, and Dan Jarvis MP, Labour’s lead for First World War centenary commemorations, will make the call during a visit to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire tomorrow (Thursday 19th June.)

The Arboretum commemorates and celebrates those who have given their lives in the service of their country, and all who have served and suffered as a result of conflict.

The two senior politicians have called for a memorial to those who supported the war effort on the home front to be erected in the Arboretum. In recent years, there have been memorials to the work of the Bevin Boys and one to honour support from the home front to the war effort during the Second World War.

Vernon Coaker MP said: 

“The First World War changed Britain forever and touched the lives of every family and community in our country. That’s why Labour believes that if we want to commemorate the First World War properly and do justice to the memory of those who lived through it 100 years ago, we need to honour those who helped the war effort on the home front.”

Dan Jarvis MP said: 

“We should remember the sacrifice and service of those who died on the front line during the First World War. But we should also remember everyone who kept our country going - including the miners, factory and railway workers, those who worked the land, and those who cared for the wounded.”