The Royal British Legion is paying tribute to all who served during the Iraq War, marking 15 years since the end of the conflict. The national commemorative event remembers the 179 Armed Forces personnel who lost their lives in Operation TELIC, the more than 6,000 who were injured, and their families and the bereaved.
Service at the National Memorial Arboretum
Around 1,500 members of the Armed Forces community are expected to attend the service, titled "Remembering Iraq: 15 Years On," held at the National Memorial Arboretum. The event features wreath laying, readings, a Service of Remembrance, and a flypast by a Chinook helicopter.
Dignitaries and Performers
The event will be attended by the Rt Hon John Healey MP, Secretary of State for Defence, and hosted by former ITV News war correspondent Bill Neely, who reported extensively from the frontline. Performances will come from mezzo-soprano Laura Wright and US singer Will Brown.
Victoria Cross Recipient Speaks
WO1 Johnson Beharry VC, the first living recipient of the Victoria Cross in over 30 years, was awarded the nation's highest military honour for extraordinary bravery in Iraq in 2004. Speaking ahead of reading the Exhortation at the service, he said: "It means a huge amount to stand here today and remember the men and women I served beside in Iraq, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice and never came home. Not a day goes by when many of us don't think about those moments, the friendships, the fear, the courage, and the lives forever changed by that conflict."
Personal Stories of Loss and Resilience
Anna-Marie McDonald, who was seven when her father, Private Joseva Lewaicei, was killed in Iraq, is attending. She recalled: "I went to answer the door and all I saw in front of me were two police officers and a man in a suit." After her father's death, the Armed Forces community became family, with the Royal Anglian Regiment sponsoring her to attend the Royal Hospital School. Now 27, she said: "Events like these mean a lot to me – to be able to reconnect with my father through the shared experiences of those he served with is very special."
Dr Ziaur Rahman, 51, a former Westminster Dragoon reservist, remembers daily rocket attacks and freezing conditions. Years later, he was diagnosed with PTSD and chronic pain. He reached out to the Royal British Legion, who helped him access Personal Independent Payments. He said: "Having a commemorative event for the Iraq War makes it feel like a part of history... I can stand tall and say 'we did our part,' and this is being recognised."
Royal British Legion's Commitment
Mark Atkinson, Director General at the Royal British Legion, said: "Fifteen years on from the end of Operation TELIC, we are proud to bring the Armed Forces community and the nation together to recognise and remember the service and sacrifice of all those who served in Iraq. Today's event honours not only those who lost their lives, but also the families who continue to live with the lasting impact of conflict. The Royal British Legion remains here for the Iraq generation and their loved ones, whatever the need, whenever it's needed."
