10/09/2008
Commemorative Service For Troubles Soldiers
A service to commemorate thousands of soldiers who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles is due to take place at St Paul's Cathedral today.
The deployment, known as Operation Banner, was the longest continuous campaign in the history of the Ministry of Defence, lasting between 1969 and 2007.
During that time over 300,000 military personnel served in the Province, 763 died and more than 6,000 were injured
Those attending the service include the Prince of Wales, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, plus hundreds of former soldiers and the widows and families of many of those who were killed.
Also attending will be Defence Secretary Des Browne, former premiers Baroness Thatcher and Tony Blair, leaders of the Opposition and the Duchess of Cornwall.
Following the service around 700 veterans will march from the cathedral to the Guildhall reception.
The Prince will take the royal salute as the veterans march through London before hosting the gathering.
In a statement released ahead of the service the Prime Minister said: "They helped create the conditions for the peace Northern Ireland now enjoys and today we salute their courage.
"It is in their honour and for all the people of Northern Ireland that all those committed to the province's future must work together to ensure a lasting peace."
(GK/JM)
The deployment, known as Operation Banner, was the longest continuous campaign in the history of the Ministry of Defence, lasting between 1969 and 2007.
During that time over 300,000 military personnel served in the Province, 763 died and more than 6,000 were injured
Those attending the service include the Prince of Wales, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, plus hundreds of former soldiers and the widows and families of many of those who were killed.
Also attending will be Defence Secretary Des Browne, former premiers Baroness Thatcher and Tony Blair, leaders of the Opposition and the Duchess of Cornwall.
Following the service around 700 veterans will march from the cathedral to the Guildhall reception.
The Prince will take the royal salute as the veterans march through London before hosting the gathering.
In a statement released ahead of the service the Prime Minister said: "They helped create the conditions for the peace Northern Ireland now enjoys and today we salute their courage.
"It is in their honour and for all the people of Northern Ireland that all those committed to the province's future must work together to ensure a lasting peace."
(GK/JM)
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