Memorial service remembers British armed forces personnel who died in Iraq war
An event's been held to mark 15 years since Operation Telic finished
Those who served, died and were injured in the Iraq war have been commemorated at a special event at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, to mark 15 years since the end of Operation Telic.
Around 1,500 members of the armed forces community, including Johnson Beharry VC, the first living recipient of the Victoria Cross in more than 30 years, attended the ceremony today (Friday 22nd May 2026).
More than 6,000 British armed forces personnel were injured and 179 were killed during Operation Telic, the codename for UK military operations in Iraq from March 2003.
The event – which featured wreath-laying, readings, music, a service of remembrance and a flypast by a Chinook helicopter – was attended by Defence Secretary John Healey and presented by former ITV News war correspondent Bill Neely.
The journalist said he formed a bond with the Royal Marines that “lasts until this day”, adding: “Whatever our personal views on the war, we did it because it was our responsibility, our duty – if not us, then who?”
Anna-Marie McDonald also gave a reading during the service. She was seven when in May 2006 her father, Private Joseva Lewaicei, was killed in Iraq while on a routine patrol after a roadside IED detonated by the vehicle he was in.
She remembered her father as a “very popular man, big and strong on the outside but soft underneath”, and said she was proud he chose to serve and proud to be his daughter.
Janet Riddell, 59, who travelled from Portsmouth for the service, was medically discharged from the Royal Navy in 2008 and had her leg amputated above the knee in 2017 after a Black Hawk helicopter she was in was shot down over Baghdad.
Speaking of her time in Iraq, she said: “My very first experience was in Basra when a mortar hit about 50 metres from the tent and I was actually thrown out of my bed. Being Navy, I wasn’t sure what was going on, I just thought the Army were all getting up and being very noisy.
“I thought I had a nightmare, as I’ve suffered nightmares from Sierra Leone, which I went to in 99.
“That was my first experience and then I got on a flight to Baghdad, which is where I was based for the six months I was out there.
“We were constantly being bombed, Saddam (Hussein) was hanged in the camp next to where we were and the day after, we were mortared. Myself and a friend used to just hold each other.”
Ms Riddell said she would have remained in the Navy forever if she had not been medically discharged, and now spends her time volunteering with charities like Turn to Starboard, which helps veterans learn to sail, and Blesma, a charity for military veterans who have lost limbs.
She said: “It was really difficult because coming out of the Navy was like losing family. It was totally different, Civvy Street, and I had to adjust very quickly.
“Thanks to all these charities, I’m still here today and I’ve come back a stronger person, because I’m proud of my service, and I just want my parents who are passed on to be proud of me.”
Asked why events like the service of remembrance are important, Ms Riddell said: “I think it means a lot to remember the sacrifices of those that went to Iraq. Whether people agree with the war or not, they are the people that went out there to serve their country and I think that should be remembered.”
Dominic Conway, 51, who served in the Royal Marines for 22 years and did a tour in Iraq and four tours of Afghanistan, said it was important that people remembered the sacrifices made.
He said: “That was the kind of stuff we joined to do, we’re not politicians, it was our job and we did that to the best of our ability.
“I think whatever cap badge you wore, it’s important to be remembered and acknowledged by the public.
“I think it’s been forgotten in more recent years because of the constant Afghanistan coverage on the TV. Among service people, it’s certainly not forgotten.
“Marking the 15th anniversary of it is just an important way of getting it back in the public consciousness again because people did that, people did come back with life-changing injuries and people have suffered.
“It hasn’t left some people, so I think it’s important to recognise that.”
Liz Chapman, who lost her husband Lieutenant Commander Darren Chapman when his Lynx helicopter was shot down over Basra on May 6 2006, was at the service with her daughters Chloe and Georgina and son Ben, who were aged 15, seven and 13 at the time.
Wiping away tears, Mrs Chapman explained how she found out her husband had died.
She said: “I saw the crash on the news, it was on CNN, but I had to wait all day to find out. I was phoning Darren’s mobile and he didn’t answer. It was unusual really, unless he was busy or there was a blackout.
“About half 11 or 12 o’clock at night was when we found out. I will never forget it. They said a crash had happened and there were no survivors.”
Mrs Chapman, who was married for 17 years, added: “It is longer now without him than we were together, it was 20 years two weeks ago.
“Every time something happens, it’s doing it on your own and him not being there to enjoy it.”
Mark Atkinson, director-general at the Royal British Legion, which hosted the event, said it was “humbling” to hear the stories of those who had served in the conflict.
He said: “It’s an opportunity to pay tribute, to say thank-you to the thousands of men and women who served in the British Armed Forces in the Iraq war.
“It is moments like this where hopefully we can bring society together to recognise their service, to remember those that were lost, but also make sure that we are continuing to support this group of veterans.”