26 NAVY NEWS, OCTOBER 2008
Service refl ects on
Operation Banner
A SERVICE at St Paul’s Cathedral who also attended the ceremony, said: and one RN Serviceman.
has been held to commemorate the
“Today we pay tribute to the hundreds A further 6,116 members of the
work and sacrifices of more than
of thousands of Servicemen and Army and Royals were wounded.
300,000 members of the Armed
women who served on this operation At its peak in the early 1970s
Forces who served in Northern
and to the enormous contribution that Operation Banner saw 27,000 military
they made towards a lasting peace in personnel stationed in Northern Ireland,
Ireland.
Northern Ireland. in 106 military bases or locations.
Some 2,000 veterans of Operation
“They served with the characteristic The process of steadily reducing
Banner were joined by the Prince of
determination, selflessness and military presence began on August 1
Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prime
professionalism that typify our Armed 2005 when Peter Hain, then Northern
Minister Gordon Brown and Baroness
Forces. Ireland Secretary, announced that the
Thatcher in a ceremony which reflected
“In particular today we remember, security situation had improved and
on the efforts of Service personnel and
with humility, gratitude and respect, routine military support to the police
civil servants to bring peace to the those who lost their lives on Operation would no longer be needed.
Province over 38 years, many of whom Banner. But the operation officially ended on
paid with their lives. “The nation’s debt to them and July 31 2007, when it was superseded
Buglers of the Royal Marines Band, to the loved ones who survive them by Operation Helvetic, a garrison of no
Portsmouth, sounded the Last Post is immeasurable. Their sacrifice must more than 5,000 military personnel in
when the congregation remembered never be forgotten.” ten locations.
the 763 servicemen and women who Between 1969 and 2007, 763 The names of the UK personnel
died on Operation Banner servicemen and women were killed as a who lost their lives during Operation
St Paul’s was packed with uniformed
direct result of terrorism, including 651 Banner are listed on the Armed Forces
service personnel from across the
Army and Royal Marines personnel Memorial, Staffordshire.
Services and covering all ages.
Prince Charles wore full ceremonial
uniform. – his own regiment, The
Royal Regiment of Wales, was the
Millies up for grabs
first unit deployed to the streets
of Northern Ireland at the start of THE Sun newspaper has teamed recognise some of the work and
Operation Banner in 1969. up with the Ministry of Defence to achievements of the Forces and
Dr Richard Chartres, the Bishop celebrate excellence in the Armed MOD.
of London gave a sermon during the Forces. Sun Defence Editor Tom Newton
service, and a representative of each of Nominations for the inaugural Sun Dunn said of the awards: “With
the Armed Forces gave a reading. Military Awards – aka the Millies so many facing danger away from
A memorial candle, bearing the – closed at the end of last month their families in Iraq or Afghanistan,
name of the operation, was blessed in categories which included Best seldom has the need been greater
before being lit by Mary Moreland, Recruit, Life Saver Award, True Grit to give them the recognition they
who was widowed as a result of (individual and group), Best Armed deserve.
terrorism in 1988. Forces Animal and Most Outstanding “Like us, Prince Charles believes
The candle symbolised all member Sailor or Royal Marine. it is time to celebrate British
of the Forces who were killed in the Most of the awards are open to troops’ extraordinary character,
Troubles. public nomination, though a panel selflessness and dedication – as
Following the service 700 veterans will determine who wins the Judges’ a heartfelt token of our gratitude
marched through the city to the Award for Special Recognition. to them.
London Guildhall. The Prince of Wales The awards are the brainchild “The 12 award categories have
took the salute. of the Prince of Wales, who sees been carefully chosen to represent ● Veterans of Operation Banner are joined by VIPs at a service of commemoration at
St Paul’s Cathedral in London Picture: Harland Quarrington (MOD) Defence Secretary Des Browne, them as a chance for the public to every field of military endeavour.”
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