The Desert Rats Memorial
The Desert Rats Memorial
The Desert Rats Memorial
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
NB. This page is just for the Memorial and NOT the adjacent museum which is NOT part of the Association.
The memorial is dedicated to all who served in the 7th Armoured Division (The Desert Rats), the 4th Armoured Brigade (The Black Rats) and the 7th Armoured Brigade (The Green Jerboa), throughout history. In 1944 the men of 7th Armoured Division (The Desert Rats) arguably one of the most famous units in the British Army was based here and in the nearby countryside and towns, before they left to take part in the Normandy Campaign, landing late on 6 June 1944. These few months are the only time the Desert Rats were ever in the UK. The Memorial and main plaque inaugurated on the 23rd October 1998 by Field Marshal Lord Carver is located on the A1065 two miles north of Mundford, Norfolk, England. The additional plaque commemorating the Desert Rats of the 4th & 7th Armoured Brigades from 1945 to 2003 was added to the plinth and inaugurated during the Open Day on the 27th June 2004.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
52 reviews
Excellent
41
Very good
10
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Tina C
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Friends
The memorial is a fitting reminder of the part The Desert Rats played in the War. Very interesting walk round the museum. A lovely afternoon.
Written 24 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
major Paine
Newmarket, UK5 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
Lovely area for walks with the historical twist of the ww2 desert rats camp, long walks with great. Access for mobility scooters
Written 11 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to visit and write a review. We are glad that you liked it.
Written 25 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
CLIVE P
Cambridge, UK912 contributions
Nov 2022
Remembrance Day at the Desert Rats memorial, is a well set up event, with many riders, drivers and foot soldiers attending.
Very busy event this year, just need bigger speakers now, to hear at the back...
Very busy event this year, just need bigger speakers now, to hear at the back...
Written 27 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your a review. We are were rather a victim of our own success, with the numbers that attended the event.
We will look at what we can do to improve things.
Written 25 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK179,496 contributions
Aug 2022
This monument is dedicated to one of the most famous units of the British Army in the Second World War, the Desert Rats. The 7th Armoured Division fought and distinguished themselves against the equally famed Afrika Korps commanded by Erwin Rommel.
The monument is a replica of the Cromwell tank named Little Audrey that was used by the division. The tank sits on a brick plinth and the dedication explains the division was stationed in Thetford in preparation for the invasion of Normandy. The monument is a bit out of the way, but worth a visit if you are in the area.
The monument is a replica of the Cromwell tank named Little Audrey that was used by the division. The tank sits on a brick plinth and the dedication explains the division was stationed in Thetford in preparation for the invasion of Normandy. The monument is a bit out of the way, but worth a visit if you are in the area.
Written 24 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to write a review of the memorial.
Written 25 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ian P
Colchester, UK193 contributions
Jul 2022
It was so great to be able to attend a normal memorial day event, after the past few years.
The stalls and displays were fantastic and the visit from the Household Cavalry with their lovely horses was an added bonus.
The service was as good as usual and the pipe band leading it was great.
Well done to everyone who organised this.
We look forward to future events.
The stalls and displays were fantastic and the visit from the Household Cavalry with their lovely horses was an added bonus.
The service was as good as usual and the pipe band leading it was great.
Well done to everyone who organised this.
We look forward to future events.
Written 23 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank your for attending. It was certainly good that we could hold the event again, without the issues of the previous years.
Written 25 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kev69
London243 contributions
Sep 2021
Nothing much to say about this, what you see is what you get - a well-preserved tank on top of a stone base. The memorial is in the middle of nowhere but extremely well kept and well worth a stop off if you are in the area.
Written 15 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to visit and write a review. We are glad that you liked it.
Written 25 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Steve R
Sidcup, UK83 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Thought provoking, great tribute to our armed forces and the sacrifices they made for us all. Very interesting site in beautiful location.
Written 14 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to visit and write a review. We are glad that you liked it.
Written 25 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bobbledog
Rochdale, UK407 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
A very fitting memorial to all the young men of the armoured divisions who bravely fought for the freedom that we have today. There are good walks in the forest around the memorial . This was the land where they trained for their part in the D Day landings.
Written 8 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to visit and write a review. We are glad that you liked it.
Written 25 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ann H
York, UK2,430 contributions
May 2021
This memorial is a fitting reminder of the work of the Desert Rats and other divisions during the Second World War. The tank mounted on the plinth that has a poignant inscription describing the role of these brave men. It is just off the roadside and has a car park so it is easy to stop, have a wander and pay respects. The men trained in the woods nearby and this is a fitting tribute.
Written 7 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to visit and write a review. We are glad that you liked it.
Written 25 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Linda H
Nottingham, UK267 contributions
Jun 2021
Great memorial to the 7th Armored Division "Desert Rats". Why Thetford? Because their only time in the UK was when training in Thetford forest. If you want to know more follow the circular woodland walk which starts behind the Cromwell Tank, the tank they were training in !. The memorial is situated in Thetford forest just off the A1065 between Mundford and Hilborough, just look for the pair of flag poles.
Written 6 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to visit and write a review.
Written 25 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
martin a
Ware, UK18 contributions
Is it easy to find a parking space at the memorial with a caravan?
Desert Rats Association Memorial
Mundford, UK
There is plenty of space. In fact the road behind it is the access road to a caravan site.
Hope this helps
Trina N
Northamptonshire, UK5 contributions
Are there toilets onsite?
Desert Rats Association Memorial
Mundford, UK
Hi, normally there are no toilets on site as it is located on Forestry Commission land and operates like going for a walk in any wood, beach, hill, etc. When the Museum is open there are toilets there, including a Disabled one. The same applied for the annual Memorial Open Day and Remembrance Day events, when additional toilets are available on site.
Would like to know the date of thetford tank regiment open day 2018 thankyou
Desert Rats Association Memorial
Mundford, UK
This will be Sunday 17th June 2018.
Derek B
16 contributions
Hi, Les Dinning and I started the process of creating a memorial when we met by chance on a railway station outside London - I was wearing a Desert Rats tie and Les approached me. By coincidence, we lived close to each other in Milton Keynes. I co-opted a colleague, Major Roy Standring, ex 7Bde, as was I, to be a three man committee and together we achieved the initial memorial i.e. the tank a plinth. We had as Patron The Field Marshall Lord Carver and he held a couple of our meetings in the House of Lords. The start of the memorial was not without its problems, some of which were caused directly by Breckland District Council who objected to it but now loves it!! It was 'Sandy' of Forest Enterprise for whom my son worked who 'made it happen'. I travelled to Germany to by old Brigade to raise some of the funds. Sadly, Les died of cancer, as you may be aware, but only days before his death he was still enthused by the idea of developing the site.Roy Standring later succumbed to the same disease. One day I would like the opportunity to revisit and to see the progress that has been made but not when the site is overly busy. When might be the best time to do this, please? Best wishes, Derek Bird 07887 767919
Desert Rats Association Memorial
Mundford, UK
Derek, we have the annual Memorial Open Day on 17th June 2018 where there will be plenty of the Association on hand to meet up with and also the Museum will be fully open by then. If you want to visit earlier please let is know via contact tel number on Trip Advisor or via the contacts on the website link and we may be able to get someone there beforehand to open up the museum. We also have our AGM on 12th April at the Schoolroom at Forest Enterprise Headquarters, Santon Downham, Brandon, Suffolk. if you wish to pop along and say hello to the current Committee.
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Frequently Asked Questions about The Desert Rats Memorial
- The Desert Rats Memorial is open:
- Sun - Sat 00:00 - 23:59
- Hotels near The Desert Rats Memorial:
- (0.17 mi) 3 bedroom accommodation in Thetford
- (0.24 mi) Thetford Forest Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite
- (1.16 mi) Acer Lodge Bed & Breakfast
- (2.61 mi) The Swan at Hilborough
- (1.00 mi) Old School House
- Restaurants near The Desert Rats Memorial:
- (2.08 mi) Brown's Kitchen
- (9.08 mi) Cheers Restaurant Thetford
- (9.29 mi) The Mulberry
- (8.00 mi) Carlsburger
- (7.90 mi) The Station Bar