Unveiling of Iraq and Afghanistan Memorial

The note below provides details on the unveiling of the Iraq/Afghanistan Memorial on 9 Mar 17. In addition to serving personnel it is hoped that veterans and others wounded during these operations might wish to attend.  Details on how to attend are listed below.  Due to the relatively short timeline and the need to issue invitations, applications are required by 10 Feb 17.

Can I ask that you circulate these details across your associations and organisations.  

Iraq/Afghanistan Memorial Unveiling  - 9 March 2017

On 9 Mar 17, the new Iraq/Afghanistan Memorial, located in Victoria Embankment Gardens, will be unveiled.  This memorial marks the UK involvement in 25 years of wars, campaigns and operations in the Middle East and Central Asia from the first Gulf War through to 2015.   The unveiling will be marked by the holding of a Drumhead Service on Horse Guards Parade, commencing at about 1100.  This event will be attended by senior members of government, other VIPs and around 2500 invited guests. Following this service a small party of VIPs and the memorial committee will move to Victoria Embankment Gardens for the memorial unveiling.  Most guests will remain at Horse Guards and be able to watch this take place via a TV screen.  On completion of this there will be a reception for all attendees, which will be held at Horse Guards.

There is an opportunity for 94 current serving personnel and 25 veterans (particularly those injured on operations) from the Naval Service (including the RM and RFA) who served on operations in this region plus their partner to attend this event.  The final list of attendees from the Naval Service will include at least 6 gallantry award recipients from operations in this region.  These guests will be invited to attend the Drumhead Service and reception at Horse Guards. 

The aim of this memorial is to commemorate all those who took part in these operations, including the non-military.   

If you would like to be considered for an invitation to attend the events at Horse Guards please forward your details in the following format.  

All applications are to be forwarded to the following e-mail address:  [email protected]  (POAWT G Drysdale).  All applications are to be submitted NLT 10 Feb 17.

Any queries regarding this event should in the first instance be directed to: [email protected] (Cdr N Chatwin RN).

Please note that there is no budget allocated for travel and subsistence.

Nick Chatwin

N J Chatwin I Cdr RN I Naval Liaison Officer & CRF National Project Officer I Naval Regional Command Eastern England, HMS PRESIDENT, 72 St Katharine's Way, London, E1W 1UQ I Mil: 93645 7321 I Civ: 0207 481 7321 I Mob: 07709 262956 I E-Mail: [email protected]