1995

To mark the 50th Anniversary of the Allied Victory over Nazi Germany, the Russian Embassy asks for help from the SCRSS (Society for Co-operation in Russian and Soviet Studies) to organise services at the graves of Soviet Second World War servicemen in UK.

​

A Resolution is passed at the SCRSS Annual General Meeting to seek permission to erect a national memorial in London to the USSR war dead.

​

1996

Southwark Council agrees to locate Memorial in Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park, adjacent to the Imperial War Museum.

​

1997

On 9 May a meeting at the Imperial War Museum to launch an appeal for funds attracts support from CIS embassies, UK veterans groups, political organisations and individuals.

​

1998

The Soviet Memorial Trust Fund is formed.

​

Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov is present as a tablet is laid on proposed site of the Memorial.

​

Sculpture sent from Russia. Send-off party at Friendship House in Moscow is attended by Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space, and the UK Ambassador. In four days Sculpture and inscription stone arrive and installed on site.

​

1999

On 9 May HRH The Duke of Kent, President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, lays the first wreath at the unveiling ceremony, which is attended by 400 people, including representatives of nine embassies of the former USSR, and 2nd WW veterans from Russia and Kyrgyzstan.