In 1807 Britain was the first country to ban the evil trade of slavery. We used the power of the Royal Navy, in the shape of the West Africa Squadron, to enforce that ban. From 1807 - 1867 the West Africa Squadron seized over 1600 slave ships and freed 150,000 Africans who were destined for a life of slavery in North America or Brazil.

The cost to Britain was the lives of nearly 1600 Royal Navy sailors and financially 2% of the UK's total GDP. So Britain was the first nation to ban slavery, we used our own ships, men and money to enforce this ban globally.

The planned memorial, to be based in Portsmouth, will remember the sailors who gave their lives to free slaves and it will commemorate the fact that Britain was the first nation to ban slavery.

You can view more information about the project on our website.