Lest We Forget: War and Peace in 100 British Monuments

by Tessa Dunlop

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.

400 pages, Hardcover

Published June 24, 2025

About the author

Tessa Dunlop is a television presenter, radio broadcaster and historian. She has presented history programmes on BBC1 London, BBC2, Discovery Europe, Channel 4, UKTV History and the History Channel (USA).

In 2005 Dunlop won a Royal Television Society award for her work on regional magazine show Inside Out West.

In 2007 Dunlop filmed Paranormal Egypt, a six-part series, with Derek Acorah on location in Egypt.

Dunlop read history at Oxford University, where she also won the Gertrude Easton Prize. Her articles have appeared in a number of British newspaper publications including The Guardian, The Independent, The Mail on Sunday and The Herald.

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the look of this book, and what was more appropriate around the time of the VE day celebrations. The book takes us on a tour of 100 monuments and statues around the UK, with a chapter to each of them. I enjoyed reading about the ones I know (I'm from Reading, so the Maiwand Lion in Forbury Gardens, was always going to be a favourite for me) and wondering why I'd never seen others despite being in the areas where they were so many times. There were however an awful lot that I'd never heard of. Each of them had their own chapter to describe them, but I did find that some were better described than others, with some focussing more on the author's journey there rather than the monument itself. I also would have loved some photos within the book. There are some drawings throughout the pages, but I found myself having to go onto the internet to look up the monument so I could picture it as I read. It was a lovely idea to document these monuments in one book, and has given me the idea to start taking more photos of statues and monuments when I'm out and about. However, it lacked something which would have held my attention more.

[Emma Dargue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good set of short essays contained within chapters about different forms and eras of commeration and memorialisation of British and commonwealth war dead. Tessa Dunlop deals with the subject matter with sensitivity and kindness whilst also highlighting the effect of past events on today's geopolitical outlook and conflicts. Well worth a read.

[Malcolm Davis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I bought this to givee a few ideas on places to visit.I got none.
I was frustrated at the lack of photos and the constant attempts to link the monuments with the war in Gaza.
Totally pointless book.