The event was attended by almost 500 family members of the 178 UK Service personnel and one MOD civilian killed during Operation TELIC, the name given to UK operations in Iraq from 2003 to 2009.They were joined by His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the Defence Secretary, and Defence Ministers and Chiefs of Staff, together with families from Denmark, Italy, Romania, and the Netherlands, representing some of the coalition personnel also honoured 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 and 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 families 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 honoured 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 to 2009. The memorial was brought back to the UK in 2009 and subsequently rebuilt at the National Memorial Arboretum.
The Basra Memorial Wall is situated alongside the Armed Forces Memorial (AFM), which also lists the names of UK Service personnel who lost their lives during Operation TELIC.
Inscribed on the AFM are the names of some 16,000 personnel who have lost their lives on duty, in peacekeeping missions, in training exercises or through terrorist action since the end of the Second World War.

The Basra Memorial Wall was rededicated in a poignant service at its new home in the
        National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on , Thursday 11 March 2010.

Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup lays a Wreath on behalf of the Armed Forces

The Original Memorial in Basra

 

 

In its new home National Memorial Arboretum

Family Members look for the Names of their Loved Ones

Brian Tanswell lays a wreath in memory of his Son
                          Lt Tom Tanswell

 

The Lord said "I am the resurrection & the life he who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives & believes in me will never die"

(John II 25-26)

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM