(UK) Iraq and Afghanistan wars memorial to be unveiled

[nitpicker]

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-39202897

Iraq and Afghanistan wars memorial to be unveiled

7 hours ago

From the section UK

A memorial dedicated to those who served in Afghanistan and both Iraq wars will be unveiled by the Queen in central London on Thursday. The sculpture by Paul Day also marks the contribution made by civilians in the conflicts. It is formed of two stone monoliths and a bronze medallion. Its unveiling in Victoria Embankment Gardens will follow a service for 2,500 veterans on Horse Guards Parade.

More than 800 UK military personnel and civilians died in the three wars.
◾Forty-seven members of the armed forces died in Iraq in the 1990-91 conflict
◾179 were killed in the second Iraq war from 2003-09
◾and 456 died in Afghanistan between 2001-14
◾In addition, 43 UK civilians were killed in the second Iraq war
◾and 101 in Afghanistan

The Queen and other members of the Royal Family will attend a "drumhead" service - a religious service held in the field of battle which uses drums as an improvised altar - with veterans and other guests. Prince Harry served in the Army for 10 years, including two tours of Afghanistan. Prince William served in the armed forces for eight years.

The guests will include current service personnel, veterans, civil servants and charity workers. A small ceremony will then be held in the gardens for the unveiling itself. It will be relayed to screens on Horse Guards.

The £1m monument was funded by a campaign by the Sun on Sunday newspaper.
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