Polar Bear Memorial Editorial Image

This bear was the first memorial in The National Memorial Arboretum. It is placed by The Polar Bear Association and is a tribute to the 49th Infantry West Riding Division. The memorial was dedicated on 7th June 1998. During the Second World War the 49th Infantry West Riding Division was stationed in Iceland. Most of the campaign saw them snowed in under 20` of snow and they adopted the name `Polar Bears`. The Polar Bear on a block of ice was used for their mascot and shoulder flash. The Polar Bear is 9ft long, 5ft high and 2.5 tonnes. Like the Golden Eagle on The Berlin Airlift Monument it was carved by the Essex Woodcarvers under the direction of Peter Benson. It is made from yellow hardwood and took six years to carve. Located inside the bear is a capsule with all the names of the Division who died with their letters and documents. The base of the monument has the carved badges of the Regiments and poems by Jodie Johnson.