About eMemorybox

The founder's story

How it started

Our Founder Roy Connolly was visiting his Grandfather's grave in Ireland. His Grandad Eddie had done so many great things in the war, Normandy Landings, North Atlantic Convoys included and as a Docker in Liverpool after the war. There was a real story to tell before it faded from our memory.

And yet, Eddie's gravestone only had his name, date of birth, when he died, and the words rest in peace.

Roy, himself a Royal Navy Veteran, had the idea that if we placed a plaque on a headstone with a QR code, it could tell the full story of Eddie's life and that's how it all came about.

But the headstone plaque was only the start of it, he knew there was a way to help people deal with loss.

Over the next few years eMemorybox was developed, making full use of the latest technology to tell stories in the most private and personal way.

Though we are still doing the plaques for Veterans, we are now at the point where we have a fully functional app which when tapped on any of a number of personal items, will bring the memories to life, not just memories of a loved one, but of life itself, be that of a wedding, a family holiday, or those happy days at school.

We also realise that often the memories of a loved one lost are hard to deal with, so an eMemorybox has become a way of putting these memories to one side when you're not feeling strong enough then having them immediately to hand when you are.

So often we have a thousand photos on our phone that we don't even remember we have, or maybe we get a new phone and lose most of those. An eMemorybox will allow you to take some quality time to choose your most special memories and lock them away till you're ready.

The experience of an eMemorybox is a 15-minute glimpse into the life of a person or a celebration of life itself.

Having had experience of people with dementia in my work and within my own family, I know the importance of being able to have an immediate reminder of those who are close to those who suffer with this awful condition.

Roy, on why he made Eddie the elephant

Not all heroes died in conflict. My own grandfather served in the Royal Navy in the Normandy landings and the North Atlantic convoys. He lived to be 86, but his story is just as important to tell.

Roy, on why veterans' plaques are sold at cost price