The Basra Memorial Wall has been rededicated in a poignant service at its new home in the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, England. The event was attended by almost 500 family members of the 178 United Kingdom (UK) Service personnel and one Ministry of Defence (MOD) civilian killed during Operation Telic, the name given to UK operations in Iraq 2003-2009.
They were joined by HRH The Duke of Gloucester, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the Defence Secretary and Defence Ministers and Chiefs, together with families from Denmark, Italy, Romania, and the Netherlands, representing some of the coalition personnel from nations also honored on the wall.
During the service, which opened with a flypast of Tornado GR4s, the Operation Telic Memorial Candle was lit and a poem – Where Your Ashes Kiss The Earth – was read by Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Brown who composed it while serving in Iraq. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the nation, the Armed Forces and one by Brian Tanswell whose son Lieutenant Tom Tanswell was killed in 2006, on behalf of the families. A message of thanks from the people of Iraq was also read out.
Speaking after the service, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said:
“Today we paid tribute to those who gave their lives in Iraq on behalf of the nation and in order to provide Iraqis with a better life. This memorial, set in this Arboretum of remembrance, is a fitting monument to their sacrifice.”
Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup laid a wreath on behalf of the Armed Forces. He said:
“This memorial was built in Iraq by Service personnel in memory of their fallen comrades. It now stands before us, here in the UK, as a focal point for family, friends, the Armed Forces and the nation as a whole. It represents the commitment, bravery and sacrifice of our servicemen and women; it is a symbol of what they gave, and of the debt that this country owes them and their families.”
Brian Tanswell, who laid the family wreath said:
“I spearheaded the campaign to bring the Basra Memorial Wall to the UK, and through that contacted many families who, like myself, lost someone who meant everything to them in Iraq. I feel honored to lay the wreath on their behalf, and take comfort from knowing this memorial is here for us, in its rightful place in the UK, an everlasting tribute to our loved ones, where families, friends and comrades can come and remember them.”
The Basra Memorial Wall was originally built outside the Headquarters of Multi-National Division (South East) in Basra in 2006 by members of 37 Armoured Engineer Squadron. It is a monument to all UK Forces and coalition personnel who lost their lives on operations in Iraq from 2003-2009. The memorial was brought back to the UK in 2009 and subsequently rebuilt at the Arboretum.
Source: Ministry of Defence
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