Friday October 9 2009 THE Queen today paid tribute to the British military and civilian personnel who served in Iraq.
The efforts of more than 100,000 members of UK Armed Forces and civilian personnel who served in Iraq from 2003-2009 were commemorated today in a moving service at St Paul’s Cathedral.
More than 2,000 current service personnel and veterans who were awarded the Iraq Medal, and families of those who served and who lost their lives were joined by members of the Royal Family.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, who held the service, praised the efforts of the troops in Iraq.
He said: “The conflict in Iraq will, for a long time yet, exercise the historians, the moralists, the international experts.
“In a world as complicated as ours has become, it would be a very rash person who would feel able to say without hesitation, this was absolutely the right or the wrong thing to do, the right or the wrong place to be.”
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The Queen and Prince Philip commemorate the end of combat operations in Iraq
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Servicemen and women injured fighting during Operation Telic, and the families of those killed in the conflict, were also among the congregation.
Senior royals attending included the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of
Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, the Earl and Countess of
Wessex and the Princess Royal.
Other senior officials, including Tory leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, took part in the event.
Also present were significant figures who played important roles in the campaign, including former heads of the Army Sir Mike Jackson and Sir Richard Dannatt and former defence secretary Geoff Hoon.
The conflict claimed the lives of 179 British personnel - 178 servicemen and women and one civilian Ministry of Defence worker.
Speaking at the service, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said:
“I have been privileged to witness at first hand the courage and
professionalism of our Armed Forces in Iraq. They have done an
outstanding job over six challenging years, and can take great pride in
their contribution towards setting Iraq on the path to stability and
prosperity.
“It is an honour for me to be here today to show my respect for these
brave men and women, and to pay tribute to those who lost their lives
and to the families they left behind.”
Tracey Hazel, 43, whose son Corporal Ben Leaning, 24, of the Queen’s
Royal Lancers, was killed in 2007, was one of a number of civilians
asked to take part in the service and lit the Operation Telic memorial
candle.
Speaking about her son, who died when the Warrior vehicle he was
travelling in was blown up by a roadside bomb, she said: “At the end of
the day, I wanted to be here for Ben and all the fallen - I feel so
privileged.
“It was so nice they chose one of the parents to do it, as it’s them that are left suffering when a loved one dies.”
The 43-year-old from Scunthorpe was among the first group of families
to be personally awarded the Elizabeth Cross - a military honour given
to the relatives of service personnel killed in active service - by the
Queen last month.
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The Royal family and The Archbishop of Canterbury
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She said: “Ben, he was a right cheeky chappy. I feel so honoured. When
I sit back and think of him, I see him with his massive smile.
“He really never let life get him down, I’m not saying he was perfect
by any means, because nobody is, but he always made something good out
of a bad situation."
*** SEE THE FULL PICTURES OF TODAY'S SERVICE HERE ***
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Members of the Royal family and politicians pay their respects
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WHY WERN'T.....................
09.10.09, 5:22pm
Bliar and Brown arrested for treason ????
• Posted by: KarlH • Report Comment
PRINCE WILLIAM....
09.10.09, 5:16pm
Looked so sad, and must hhave been thinking of his beloved mother Diana, as she stood for finding peace and would be horrified at so many dead because of the poor care and performance of the Govt in supplying safety equipment, and the war itself. Bearing in mind, that Diana married there, must have bought home to William how much she is missed, and what remains. Diana would have made a marvellous Queen, instead, we have to look at the old Rockweiler Camilla, and a Royal Family who have no power whatsoever. Diana was indeed, a brave lady, for taking on political leaders in a bid to make a better world, the very one the Archbishop spoke of in his eulogy. I think this must have struck a cord with William, and the sad loss of life that could have been avoided by numptie politicians. How Blair had the bare faced cheek to turn up beggers beleif.
• Posted by: Rayner22 • Report Comment
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