Iraq, Afghanistan, Gulf War Memorial
Paye Stonework and Restoration, the contractors for the memorial to the dead in the Iraq, Afghanistan and Gulf conflicts chose stoneCIRCLE to produce the monument. The mammoth structure was designed by Paul Day, a well-known sculptor who also produced the monument for the Battle of Britain. It commemorates both military and civilian deaths in the regions. It was unveiled by Her Majesty The Queen on 9th March and is situated in Victoria Embankment Gardens near the MoD building.
The monument was produced in Jordans Basebed Portland Stone and is composed of 10 blocks, the largest of which weighed 7000kg each. In fact they were so heavy that stoneCIRCLE's lifting equipment could not cope with them and the company had to buy in a 15 tonne crane to help with the job.
The front and back of the blocks are smooth with carved lettering, whereas the sides were left rough to represent the rugged terrain in the regions and also the continuing struggle in the areas and divided public opinion about the campaigns.
The production process meant that once the blocks were rough cut, the monument was dry built in the yard around a stainless steel frame, so the edges could be pitched by hand to match the artist's requirements.
Once finished it was dismantled and collected for delivery to the site where Paye Stonework and Restoration re-erected it.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Caring for war memorials.
- Types of stone.
- Modern stonemasonry.
- Lincoln Memorial.
- Monument and context.
- Scheduled monuments.
- Spomeniks.
- UK's National Holocaust Memorial.
- Bookmatched Marble for Boutique Hotel.
- Julian Opie Art Wall CitizenM Tower of London Hotel.
- Julian Opie Limestone & Bronze Frieze for Bermuda Hotel.
- Memorials and public parks.
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
- Two New Ludgate Portland Stone Feature Wall
- Portland Stone.
- Use of Stone in Monks Lantern Weybridge.
- War memorials.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Guide to ISO 19650 for Architecture Firms (2026)
A user gives their low down.
A UK training and membership provider for mould remediation professionals.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
Independent NSI and BAFE study exploring how organisations are changing the way they buy fire safety services.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.