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The rededication of the Basra Memorial Wall took place on 11th March 2010
at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
The memorial commemorates the 178 UK personnel and 1 MoD civilian
who lost their lives in Iraq between 2003 and 2009.
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, leader of the opposition
David Cameron and His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester.
We come here to this national memorial from all parts of our nation and overseas to remember before God those
who gave their lives to the service of others during operations in Iraq between 2003 and 2009
and to rededicate the Basra Memorial Wall in their memory.
The memorial candle was lit by Tracey Hazel whose son Cpl Ben Leeming was killed in April 2007.
As we gather this afternoon at this memorial wall we remember before God and pray for all those
for whom it will hold particular significance. We remember all British servicemen and women who have lost
their lives or who have suffered injury. We remember their families, their colleagues and their friends.
This wall is a commemoration of that sacrifice. And this wall is important for another reason.
Because it wasn’t built by people who were detached, who had no idea what it was like to serve in both the heat of the sun
and the heat of battle. It was built by servicemen in Iraq to remember their fallen comrades.
To the greater glory of God and in memory of those who have given their lives on operations in Iraq between 2003 and 2009
I rededicate this memorial in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. Amen.
Bill Pritchard’s son Gordon died in Iraq in 2006.
When we found that they were going to honour their promises to bring the wall down, bring it back to the country
and put it in the National Arboretum it actually gave you a good feeling because it shows that apart from anything else
they were interested in, they wanted to do this, bring it back. The Royal Engineers have done an absolutely marvellous job
and we’ve now got a memorial, in this country, to Iraq.
Former Squadron Sergeant Major Matt Graves oversaw the original construction of the wall in Basra.
We were in and out of Basra on ops and when they came back for their down period they built this at night
over about a 2 week period and there was a lot of dedication and care and love that went into it.
For me personally, and the guys in 37 Armoured Engineers Squadron we’re really proud
having this brought back and feeling a small part of it. And I think it’s really good for the families to know that
the friends and comrades of the people who died actually built the wall as a memorial to their comrades as well.
I think it’s really, really good, and I’m proud.