Royal British Legion Announces National Iraq War 15th Anniversary Remembrance Event
The Royal British Legion, Britain's largest military charity, has announced a national event to mark the 15th anniversary of the end of the Iraq War. A Service of Remembrance will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum on May 22nd, inviting veterans, bereaved families, and loved ones to come together in honor of those who served.
Honoring the Fallen and Supporting Survivors
The Iraq War, which began in 2003 and officially concluded in May 2011, claimed the lives of 179 British armed forces members. These soldiers faced immense dangers, including sniper attacks, rocket assaults, and the constant threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). An additional 6,000 personnel were injured during the conflict, many suffering life-altering wounds and psychological trauma.
Mark Atkinson, Director General of the Royal British Legion, emphasized the ongoing need for support. "Experiences of modern conflict, such as Iraq, can be complex and difficult to talk about, and many people are only just coming to us now for help," he stated. "The RBL is here to provide life-long support to the Armed Forces Community, whatever the need, whenever it's needed."
Personal Stories of Resilience
Among those injured is Simon Brown, a 46-year-old veteran who was blinded by a sniper in 2006 while serving as a corporal in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. During a patrol near Basra Palace, his vehicle became stuck in a ditch amid enemy fire. When he raised his head from the turret to assess the situation, a bullet struck his left cheek and exited through the right, shattering his face and causing severe damage to his eyes.
"My world fell apart. I'd lost my career; I'd lost my job and I'd lost my future," Simon recalled. "I just felt cheated and robbed. When you go through adversity, all your focus goes on what you've lost. It's very hard to look at what you've kept."
After waking from a 17-day coma at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham, Simon faced a long recovery. His injuries included:
- Shattered cheekbones and a jaw broken in four places
- Damaged eye sockets, with his left eye completely removed
- Approximately a dozen metal plates in his face
- Only 20% vision remaining in his right eye
With support from his family and the Royal British Legion, Simon transformed his life, eventually becoming Mayor of Morley in West Yorkshire in 2024. He now advocates for other veterans, emphasizing that "survivors get up, they don't give up."
The Broader Impact on Veterans
Another veteran, John Devlin, 36, from Liverpool, was shot in the shoulder by a sniper during his deployment. He credits the Royal British Legion with saving his life, as the charity helped him receive a diagnosis and treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Devlin was just 18 when deployed to Iraq, describing the experience as "torture, the worst experience of my life."
"I know I'd be dead without the Royal British Legion," Devlin stated, highlighting the critical role of ongoing support for veterans dealing with both physical and psychological wounds.
A National Moment of Reflection
The Iraq15 national event aims to provide a space for collective remembrance and healing. The conflict, which saw significant milestones such as the capture and execution of Saddam Hussein in 2006, left a lasting impact on British military personnel and their families.
Simon Brown's journey from despair to hope encapsulates the spirit of the event. After years of anger and struggle, a pivotal moment came when he heard on the radio about two comrades killed in an IED attack. "That was the catalyst moment," he explained. "The moment you realise you're a survivor, not a victim, and survivors get up. They don't give up."
The Royal British Legion's initiative underscores the importance of acknowledging the sacrifices made during the Iraq War while continuing to support those who bear its scars today.
