Rededication of the Basra Memorial Wall, National Memorial Arboretum - Thursday 11 March, 1200

A special service will take place at the National Memorial Arboretum on Thursday 11 March to rededicate the Basra Memorial Wall, the monument to all UK Forces and coalition personnel who lost their lives on operations in Iraq from 2003-2009. The memorial was brought back to the UK in 2009 and then rebuilt at the Arboretum.

Families and friends of those who lost their lives will be joined by HRH The Duke of Gloucester, and senior government and military figures at the memorial, which had stood outside the Headquarters of Multi-National Division (South East) in Basra. The wall was originally constructed in 2006 by members of 37 Armoured Engineering Squadron.

The memorial is hung with brass plaques listing each life lost during Operation Telic, the name given to the UK operations in Iraq. It also contains a central memorial plaque that was blessed by the Archbishop of Canterbury at the national service of commemoration for Iraq 2003-2009 at St Paul's Cathedral in October 2009, in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen.

The event will be predominantly for the families who lost loved ones, however, attendees will also include Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth, Armed Forces Minister Bill Rammell, Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Jock Stirrup and Service chiefs, and representatives of the main political parties.

Location: National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire DE13 7AR

Date: Thursday 11 March 2010

Timings: 1100-1130 - Media arrive on site and report to the Lafarge Education Room

1200 - Fly past of four Tornado GR4 aircraft

1200 - 1230 approx - Rededication ceremony

1230 - 1430 - Interview opportunities

The service

At the start of the service a flypast will take place over the wall of four Tornado GR4 aircraft from 31 Squadron based at RAF Marham.

Mrs Tracey Hazel, whose son Corporal Ben Leaning, The Queen's Royal Lancers, was killed on 19 April 2007, will light the Operation Telic Memorial Candle. Mrs Hazel originally lit the candle at the service at St Paul's Cathedral last October. The candle will be placed at the foot of the memorial for the duration of the service. Afterwards it will be moved to the Memorial Chapel at the Arboretum.

Following the rededication ceremony a minute's silence will take place. Wreaths will be laid at the memorial on behalf of the nation, the Armed Forces and the families. The family wreath will be laid by Mr Brian Tanswell whose son, Lt Tom Tanswell RA, was killed in Iraq in 2006. Brian was instrumental in ensuring the wall was brought over to the UK. Wreaths will also be laid by representatives of other nations.