Commemorative oak planted on South Common
Support for the nationwide Veterans’ Oaks initiative has been shown with the planting of a tree on Lincoln’s South Common.
Veterans’ Oaks is a community-led initiative marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, historically known as the ‘oak anniversary’.
Launched in 2025, the campaign invites communities across the United Kingdom to plant oak trees as living memorials, commemorating the courage, sacrifice and resilience of the wartime generation, both military personnel and civilians, while also committing to a greener, more sustainable future.
The tree planting organised by City of Lincoln Council was attended by Cllr Rebecca Longbottom, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place at City of Lincoln Council; Steve Bird, Assistant Director for Communities and Street Scene; Julian Free CBE, Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Lincoln; and Victoria Whaley, Partnership & Expertise Manager at the Forestry Commission.
“Lincoln has a proud and enduring connection with our Armed Forces community, and we are honoured to support the Veterans’ Oaks initiative here on South Common. This oak tree stands not only as a tribute to those who served and sacrificed during the Second World War, but also as a living commitment to future generations,” said Cllr Longbottom.
Maj Gen (Retd) Julian Free CBE spent 31 years serving in the Army with deployments including Kuwait, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan. He was made aware of the Veterans’ Oak by a friend and former Army officer who is now CEO of the Forestry Commission and is supporting the initiative.
He added: “I am delighted the city has planted an oak to commemorate the courage and sacrifice of the wartime generation who secured our freedom. Planted in sight of the Bomber Command Memorial where another oak has been planted and forming a line to Riseholme where the University is planting an oak it will perhaps give people pause to think about what it takes to defend our way of life in an increasingly unsettled world.”