Memorial service for forces serving in Iraq

A special event has been held to commemorate the lives of those who served, died and were injured in the Iraq war.

About 1,500 members of the armed forces community gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to mark 15 years since the end of Operation Telic including 26 year old Private Leon Spicer and 21 year old Private Philip Hewett both from the 1st batalion of the Staffordshire Regiment.

Two members of the Queens Royal Lancers, 35 year old Stephen Allbutt from Stoke on Trent and 19 year old Trooper David Clarke were also killed.

In total more than 6,000 British armed forces personnel were injured and 179 were killed during the UK military operation in Iraq which began in March 2003.