The government has pledged to spend £500,000 on creating a Commonwealth War
Memorial project at the White Cliffs of Dover.

The memorial would include an inscription of the names of 1.7 million men and women recorded on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission register.

It would be constructed at the Western Heights and is estimated to cost £15 million.

The names will include servicemen and women, Merchant Navy personnel and civilians who gave their lives during the First and Second World Wars.

This was announced by the Chancellor George Osborne in the Budget 2016 on Wednesday.

Dover MP Charlie Elphicke said: “Following the case I made to George Osborne, It is great news that the Chancellor announced £500,000 for the creation of a Commonwealth War Memorial in the Budget.

“The White Cliffs of Dover are an iconic part of our wartime history.

“A memorial in Dover is a fitting tribute to the memory of the heroes who fought to protect our way of life and keep us free.”

The memorial has been inspired by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC.

It was proposed back in 2012 by London-based architects Paula Craft and John Pegg.

Plans include the National War Museum at the Drop Redoubt and a parade area for services, a shop and toilet facilities.

The memorial itself would consist of 12 white granite walls representing each year of hostilities of both world wars and bearing all 1.7 million names of those who died defending Britain, according to the date of their sacrifice, with no deference to rank or nationality.

Speaking to the Mercury previously, architect John Pegg said other memorials leave a gap that they are determined to fill.

He said: “The memorial can only boost Dover visitor numbers through family pilgrimages, school visits and ceremonial and commemorative events, as well as giving good reason for current numbers to dwell longer in the area.”

The site is owned by Dover District Council who submitted the bid to the Libor Fund, which is created from fines levied on the banks for attempting to manipulate inter-bank lending.

The cash will be used to support the creation of an independent charitable trust to develop and bring the plans for the memorial forward.

The Trust will raise the necessary funding and seek permissions to create and maintain the memorial.

Cllr Paul Watkins, leader of Dover District Council, said: “We’re delighted that the Chancellor has recognised the value of this project as we approach the centenary of the end of the First World War.

This period of our history was one of immense loss, but also underlined the strength of the Commonwealth.

“We look forward to realising these exciting plans, with designs developed by the architect, John Pegg, and with support from Charlie Elphicke MP, which will add further to the opportunities at the Western Heights.”