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Service honours UK Iraq personnel Service honours UK Iraq personnel
(31 minutes later)
A service of commemoration honouring British military and civilian personnel who served in Iraq is being held at St Paul's Cathedral, London. A service of commemoration honouring British military and civilian personnel who served in Iraq has been held at St Paul's Cathedral, London.
Veterans and relatives of the 179 killed are taking part in the service, with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. Veterans and relatives of the 179 killed took part in the service, with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, used his address to praise the efforts of the troops in Iraq.The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, used his address to praise the efforts of the troops in Iraq.
But he criticised policy makers for failing to consider the human and other costs of the conflict.But he criticised policy makers for failing to consider the human and other costs of the conflict.
There were those among both policy makers and commentators who were able to talk about [the conflict] without really measuring the price, the cost of justice Dr Rowan Williams In pictures: Iraq memorialThere were those among both policy makers and commentators who were able to talk about [the conflict] without really measuring the price, the cost of justice Dr Rowan Williams In pictures: Iraq memorial
Tony Blair, prime minister when the conflict began in 2003, is among the congregation, joining current PM Gordon Brown and senior defence figures. Tony Blair, prime minister when the conflict began in 2003, was among the congregation, joining current PM Gordon Brown, former heads of the Army Sir Mike Jackson and Sir Richard Dannatt and former Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon.
About 120,000 members of the UK armed forces and civilians served in Iraq. British combat operations there officially ended on 30 April, with a ceremony in Basra.About 120,000 members of the UK armed forces and civilians served in Iraq. British combat operations there officially ended on 30 April, with a ceremony in Basra.
Other senior royals, including Princes Charles, Prince William, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Princess Royal are taking part in the service, as are Tory leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg. Other senior royals, including Princes Charles, Prince William, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Princess Royal took part in the service, as are Tory leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg.
UK fatalities in Iraq: In images Emotions as UK honours Iraq forceUK fatalities in Iraq: In images Emotions as UK honours Iraq force
A candle is to be lit on behalf of those who lost their lives by Tracey Hazel, mother of Cpl Ben Leaning, 24, from Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, who was killed when his armoured vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in April 2007. Dr Williams said the conflict in Iraq would exercise historians, moralists and international experts for many years to come.
She said she felt "privileged and honoured" to perform the task. He said: "In a world as complicated as ours has become, it would be a very rash person who would feel able to say without hesitation, this was absolutely the right or the wrong thing to do, the right or the wrong place to be."
Speaking before the event, she said: "The service is a fantastic idea. It makes me so proud to be British and a lot of other people should be." The Archbishop blessed the centrepiece of the "Basra Wall", built by troops in front of the 20th Armoured Brigade's Iraqi HQ to honour fallen comrades.
Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams delivered an address and blessed the centrepiece of the "Basra Wall", built by troops in front of the 20th Armoured Brigade's Iraqi HQ to honour fallen comrades.
The wall, with its brass plaques and marble centre stone, was the focal point of the memorial service in April to mark the end of the UK operation.The wall, with its brass plaques and marble centre stone, was the focal point of the memorial service in April to mark the end of the UK operation.
It is to be rebuilt at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, with the help of a contribution from the Iraqi government.It is to be rebuilt at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, with the help of a contribution from the Iraqi government.
Relatives of UK troops killed in Iraq are attending the serviceRelatives of UK troops killed in Iraq are attending the service
At St Paul's, prayers will be read by representatives of each of the armed forces. A candle was lit during the ceremony on behalf of those who lost their lives by Tracey Hazel, mother of Cpl Ben Leaning, 24, from Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, who was killed when his armoured vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in April 2007.
Capt Jon Pentreath, head of the Commando Helicopter Force which supported Royal Marines' amphibious operations over five years, is reading a prayer on behalf of the Royal Navy. She said she felt "privileged and honoured" to perform the task.
She said: "At the end of the day, I wanted to be here for Ben and all the fallen - I feel so privileged.
"It was so nice they chose one of the parents to do it, as it's them that are left suffering when a loved one dies."
Prayers were read by representatives of each of the armed forces.
Capt Jon Pentreath, head of the Commando Helicopter Force which supported Royal Marines' amphibious operations over five years, read a prayer on behalf of the Royal Navy.
He said the service would give personnel much-needed recognition.He said the service would give personnel much-needed recognition.
"It's important for the nation to understand what members of the armed forces and their families are going through," he said."It's important for the nation to understand what members of the armed forces and their families are going through," he said.
Also involved is Sir John Chilcot, who is chairing the inquiry into the conflict. Also involved was Sir John Chilcot, who is chairing the inquiry into the conflict.
He has invited those who served in Iraq to submit evidence to the inquiry, which is also hearing from bereaved families.He has invited those who served in Iraq to submit evidence to the inquiry, which is also hearing from bereaved families.
After the service, the Queen departed for Mansion House, for a lunch with veterans of the conflict.