Memorial service for forces who served in Iraq

A special event has been held to commemorate the lives of those who served, died and were injured in the Iraq war.

About 1,500 members of the armed forces community gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to mark 15 years since the end of Operation Telic.

Among those in attendance was Johnson Beharry VC, the first living recipient of the Victoria Cross in more than 30 years.

In total more than 6,000 British armed forces personnel were injured and 179 were killed during the UK military operation in Iraq which began in March 2003.

The event featured wreath-laying, readings, music and a service of remembrance as well as a flypast by a Chinook helicopter.

Mark Atkinson, director-general of the Royal British Legion, which hosted the event, said it was "humbling" to hear the stories of those who had served in the conflict.

"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," he said.

"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."

Anna-Marie McDonald was one of those who gave a reading during the service.

She was seven years old when her father, Private Joseva Lewaicei, was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2006.

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.

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.

"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," he said.

"It hasn't left some people, so I think it's important to recognise that."

Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.