About the event
In December the Royal British Legion will remember the 30th anniversary of the end of the Bosnian War, and the crucial contribution of British Armed Forces in the international efforts to secure and maintain peace.
We are hosting a Ceremony of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire, on Sunday 14th December 2025 to remember the lives lost in the war in Bosnia and the extraordinary service and sacrifices of the men and women of the Armed Forces. We warmly invite all personnel who served with British Armed Forces in the UN and NATO missions in Bosnia since 1992, and/or their families, to come together for an afternoon of reflection and comradeship.
If you have any questions about the upcoming event check our FAQ section below.
About the Operations in Bosnia
The nature of the service we ask of our Armed Forces is continually changing.
This December the Royal British Legion remembers the 30th anniversary of the end of the Bosnian War, and the crucial contribution of British Forces in the international efforts to secure and maintain peace, including NATO’s first peace-support mission. A special commemorative event will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum.
Following the end of the Cold War, the disintegration of Yugoslavia saw its republics declaring independence. Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosnia) had a shared government reflecting its mixed ethnic composition with a Bosnian Muslim majority. In a referendum the overwhelming majority voted for independence in March 1992.
A potential Bosnian nation that had a Muslim majority was opposed by Bosnian Serbs, who launched military action to secure territory and began a systematic programme against the Muslim population. They also targeted Bosnian Croats. The subsequent civil war saw bitter fighting; and emerging accounts of atrocities alarmed the international community.
First British Forces Arrive
In September 1992, the United Nations authorised the deployment in Bosnia of a multinational Protection Force, with the first British ground forces arriving soon after. These, and subsequent units, were sent to protect vital convoys of food and medicine, monitor ceasefires and patrol and gather intelligence. Later duties involved overseeing designated safe zones the challenges of mine clearance and infrastructure rebuilding.
The personnel from the UK and other countries were frequently on the front lines, and between the combatants of an unremitting war which saw indiscriminate shelling of towns and cities such as the Bosnian Serb siege of Sarajevo where more than 11,000 people were killed. The conflict also saw the committing of war crimes. These included massacres and UN-recognised genocide (most infamously at Srebrenica where 8,000 Muslim men and boys were killed).
RAF and Fleet Air Arm pilots served as part of NATO’s enforcement of a no fly zone, and carried out air strikes to protect UN-designated safe havens. The fighting ended after a 12-day NATO air campaign against Bosnian Serb targets paved the way to a peace agreement, the Dayton Accord, which received its final signatures on 14th December 1995. More than 100,000 people had been killed, and 2.2 million (more than half the population) displaced across the region.
NATO’s First Peace-Support Mission
Under the terms of the peace agreement, NATO deployed peacekeepers for the first time, leading a 60,000-strong Implementation Force (IFOR), including thousands of British men and women. In a year this was replaced with the smaller Stabilisation Force (SFOR) and as stability returned troops were progressively withdrawn. By 2020 UK personnel had been withdrawn, although specialists in security remain and British forces engage in training exercises with their Bosnian counterparts.
A total of 36 NATO and partner countries had contributed troops, and had suffered hundreds of military and civilian casualties in the operations. British forces lost 59 military personnel, and many dozens were seriously injured. The harrowing nature of the security work resulted in many suffering from trauma, including PTSD, and they continue to live with the impact of what they witnessed.
We pay tribute to the men and women of British forces who served in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and we are privileged to tell their stories of service in a changing world.
Bosnia Stories
FAQs
Booking in advance
How do I know if my application has been successful?
How many guests can I register to attend the ceremony?
When will I receive my e-ticket?
Can I use my confirmation email as an e-ticket?
I have lost my e-ticket, is it possible to receive this again?
I don't have a printer; can I show my e-tickets on my phone?
Eligibility
Who will be eligible to attend the ceremony?
I am a family member of a person who passed away after his/her Bosnia and Herzegovina deployment. May I attend?
On the day
Do ticket holders need to bring anything with them on the day?
What time will the National Memorial Arboretum open on Sunday 14th December?
The National Memorial Arboretum will open at 10:00 and closes daily at 16:00.
Guests are welcome to arrive from 10:00, light refreshments will be available from 14:00 in Aspects.
The service will start at 15:30 and will last for around 40 minutes.
Only registered attendees will be able to remain onsite after closing at 16:00.
What is the dress code for the event?
Will parking be included for this event?
Yes, parking will be included for this event. A parking pass will be sent to you along with your e-ticket.
Please show your pass (digitally or printed) to the parking attendants at the car park.
Where will I be parked?
I have a blue badge where will I be required to park?
Can I book a mobility scooter or wheelchair?
I am travelling via public transport. How can I get to the National Memorial Arboretum?
Are service animals permitted to attend the private ceremony?
Is the venue accessible?
Where can I find out more about visiting the Arboretum?
Will the service go ahead in inclement weather?
The Remembering Bosnia service will take place in the event of inclement weather. The service will be held outside on Armed Forces Memorial, so please ensure you dress appropriately especially given the time of year.
A small handbag sized umbrella will be permitted at the event; however large golf umbrellas cannot be used.
Can I purchase a wreath and floral tribute to lay during the service?
Wreaths and individual tokens of Remembrance, such as fresh flowers or poppy tributes, may be laid after the short ceremony.
Wreaths and Poppy Tributes are available to purchase from the Poppy Shop online here: Poppy Shop UK | Charity Gifts | The Royal British Legion Shop
A limited quantity of tributes and wreaths will be available to purchase at the Arboretum on the day.Will I be able to bring my standard to parade during the ceremony?
Is the Commemorative Event standing or seated?