Remember Them

Harry Marks Remembrance Day in Afghanistan

Harry attends last Remembrance Sunday in Afghanistan.

Prince Harry today returned to Afghanistan 22 months after leaving the country following the end of his tour of duty as an Apache helicopter pilot to lead Remembrance Day commemorations at the army base in Kandahar.

The 30-year-old Prince left a wreath at Kandahar Airfield with a hand-written note attached, which read: "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. They will never be forgotten. Harry."

The trip was apparently undertaken at Harry's initiative. This is - we hope - the last Remembrance Day service which will be held involving UK troops in Afghanistan as the UK withdraws.

The Apaches Harry flew have now all been dismantled and are to be shortly shipped home as the UK completes its retreat from the country.

453 UK soldiers have died in the 13 year Afghanistan war.

Harry read from the Bible during the service.

Brigadier Darrell Amison said during the service, "Today, members of the Armed Forces and our civilian counterparts in Kandahar joined the nation in honouring the lives and sacrifice of the Fallen in Afghanistan, along with those who have lost their lives and been injured in the line of duty during the First World War and in conflicts since.

"We will forever be in debt to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We will never forget their extraordinary courage and dedication, and our thoughts will always remain with the families and friends of those we have lost.

"The final Remembrance Sunday ceremony in southern Afghanistan has significant poignancy as we pay tribute to the 453 men and women who have given their lives since 2001, along with the many hundreds who have suffered life changing injuries.

"We are incredibly proud of what they have achieved. Thanks to their sacrifice, Afghanistan is a better country and we walk in safer streets at home in the UK. We Will Remember Them."

After the service Harry spent some time chatting to the troops and at one stage even climbed into the cockpit of a Tornado aircraft.

The Queen led the nation in remembering the country's war dead at the Cenotaph in London, after police reportedly disrupted an attempted terror attack on the event.

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Tom SykesEuropean Editor at Large

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