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Fallen TA troops are remembered | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The oldest surviving former member of the Territorial Army is the guest of honour at a memorial service. | |
Edwin Cooper, 104, of Abergele, Conwy, is attending the event which will mark the work of reservists and remember TA soldiers killed in action. | |
The service, at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, Staffordshire, is part of events to mark the centenary of the reserve military force. | The service, at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, Staffordshire, is part of events to mark the centenary of the reserve military force. |
A parade featuring TA troops and a flypast were also part of the event. | |
Mr Cooper was called up on the day World War II broke out in September 1939 and he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps after training. | Mr Cooper was called up on the day World War II broke out in September 1939 and he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps after training. |
After the parade, the Duke of Kent will present medals to seven TA solders who have served in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans. | After the parade, the Duke of Kent will present medals to seven TA solders who have served in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans. |
'Peace and war' | 'Peace and war' |
The head of the Army, Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, was also among dignitaries at the memorial service. | |
The event was being hosted by Maj Gen Martin Rutledge, general officer commanding the Army's 5th Division, based in Shrewsbury. | |
He said it was "very important" to acknowledge the TA's 100 years of service. | He said it was "very important" to acknowledge the TA's 100 years of service. |
"Through its 100-year history, the Territorial Army has served our country in peace and war, during national difficulties and natural disasters, in peacekeeping operations and armed conflicts around the world." | "Through its 100-year history, the Territorial Army has served our country in peace and war, during national difficulties and natural disasters, in peacekeeping operations and armed conflicts around the world." |
He added: "Today's event at the NMA is a chance for us to remember and acknowledge the sacrifices made by the Territorial Army." | He added: "Today's event at the NMA is a chance for us to remember and acknowledge the sacrifices made by the Territorial Army." |
The TA constitutes a quarter of the British army's manpower, and almost 15,000 have served in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003. | The TA constitutes a quarter of the British army's manpower, and almost 15,000 have served in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003. |