A poignant service has been held to re-dedicate a memorial wall to 179 people who lost their lives in the Iraq war. Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Tory leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg joined together in song and prayer for those who died. The Basra Memorial Wall commemorates the 178 UK service personnel and one Ministry of Defence civilian who lost their lives serving in Operation Telic - Britain's six-year operation in Iraq following the 2003 invasion. It was originally built in Basra in 2006, where it stood outside the front of the headquarters of the Multi-National Division (South East). After the end of combat operations in Iraq in April last year, it was dismantled and returned to Britain following a campaign by the families of fallen soldiers. The monument, which has been re-erected near the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire, was re-dedicated in a special ceremony. Almost 500 relatives of those who died braved the cold for the 50-minute outdoor service. They were joined by the Duke of Gloucester, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth and defence ministers and chiefs. Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup laid a wreath on behalf of the Armed Forces. He said: "This memorial was built in Iraq by service personnel in memory of their fallen comrades. It now stands before us, here in the UK, as a focal point for family, friends, the Armed Forces and the nation as a whole. "It represents the commitment, bravery and sacrifice of our servicemen and women. It is a symbol of what they gave and of the debt that this country owes them and their families." | 
