News
HRH attends a service of commemoration at the Armed Forces Memorial in Staffordshire
27th June 2008
The Prince of Wales joined the families of British servicemen and women killed on duty last year for the first of what is set to become an annual commemoration for the armed forces.
Work was recently completed on carving the 102 names of the personnel on the walls of the Armed Forces Memorial, at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire.
It was the first addition of names to the monument, and each one was read out by representatives of their respective services during a ceremony there today.
It was followed by a two-minute silence and wreaths laid by The Prince of Wales, Veterans Minister Derek Twigg and Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson, Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff.
The service will become an annual event for the armed forces, said the Ministry of Defence, honouring those personnel who lost their lives during the previous calendar year.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Twigg said: "Today's service highlights the dedication and sacrifice of our servicemen and women around the world.
"It is right that the nation pays tribute to those members of our armed forces who have died while on duty in 2007.
"I hope that the addition of their names to this magnificent Armed Forces Memorial will provide a focus and comfort for their families and friends, and will be a fitting tribute on behalf of the nation."
Among relatives of the 102 killed in 2007 to attend today's service was Christine Bonner.
Her son, Corporal Darren Bonner, 31, 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, died in an explosion while travelling in convoy in Helmand Province.
Speaking after today's service, she said: "The memorial is absolutely fantastic. It's beautiful, very peaceful.
"I was very proud to see his name up there. It felt like it was finalised."
Senior Aircraftsman Christopher Dunsmore, of 504 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment, was one of three service personnel killed by a mortar attack at the Basra Contingency Operating Base on 19th July 2007.
Commenting on the memorial, his father, Geoff, said: "It's very uplifting. It's a sort of memorial for the future.
"It means Christopher will be remembered for ever and his courage and dedication to service in the RAF Auxiliary Air Force has been recognised."
And he added: "Chris would have been absolutely chuffed to bits that HRH Prince of Wales was here."
According to the Ministry of Defence, nine members of the Royal Navy, 85 members of the Army and eight members of the Royal Air Force lost their lives in 2007.
The newly added names sit alongside those members of UK forces who have lost their lives since 1948. The Armed Forces Memorial was dedicated by The Queen in October last year.