Prince Harry paid tribute to British service personnel killed on combat operations in Afghanistan saying they “will forever be in our hearts” as he unveiled a memorial to their sacrifice.
And his tributes were welcomed by relatives of the six Huddersfield heroes who died in the war.
Dedicating the Bastion Memorial, inscribed with the 453 names of those killed, he said: “As we sit here amongst friends, we can take comfort in the knowledge that they gave their lives doing a job they loved, for a country they loved, and amongst mates who loved them dearly.”
He added: “Once this ceremony is ended and all the trappings of the day have been cleared away, this will become a place of pilgrimage, a quiet space for remembrance just as it was in Camp Bastion, all those miles away.”
The simple monument at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire, bears the names of all the personnel who fell during the UK’s 13-year involvement in the conflict.
Its simple granite construction bears 12 name plates inscribed recording the fallen, and to its front is a great stone plinth topped with a shining cross made from old brass shell casings.
The name plates and cross were among several parts of the old memorial wall, itself built by British soldiers at Camp Bastion as the conflict raged on about them, now incorporated into the new memorial.
Inside its speckled stonework, though, and hidden from view is a heart-shaped diamond pendant placed there by the builders while the new memorial was being constructed.
It was given to them by widow Jacqui Thompson, whose husband of 23 years Gary was killed when his vehicle hit an anti-tank mine while returning from a perilous mission in Afghanistan, in 2008.
Guests at the service included families of the six Huddersfield heroes whjo fell in Afghanistan. They were Lance Cpl Graham Shaw, of Golcar; Capt Lisa Jade Head, of Almondbury; Cp Jake Hartley, of New Mill; Pte Anton Frampton, of Longwood; Pte Daniel Wilford, of Cowlersley: and Pte Tom Wroe, of Meltham.
Anton’s sister Gemma was at the service with their mother, Margaret Charlesworth, and said: “It’s a very emotional day . It always makes it harder when all the families are together and you can see how many lives have been lost and all the families’ pain but support for each other .
“It was very moving and respectful and we’re all here to honour out fallen as they should be remembered. We the families are here with sadness but pride”.
Nathalie Taylor, the mum of Cpl Hartley, said: “It was a special day and a moving service. The service was lovely and it is a very fitting memorial.
“It was nice to meet up with the local families again and to share memories of Jake and the others”.
