Prince William honours fallen in Afghanistan

Prince William made a special trip to Afghanistan to join troops at their remembrance service, laying a wreath at the poignant occasion.

The Royal flew into Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, in a surprise visit along with Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox to join troops in marking Remembrance Sunday.

William joined about 2,500 servicemen in the ceremony, laying a wreath to his own friends as well as others who have lost their lives.

British and Commonwealth troops gathered at Camp Bastion’s parade square alongside their VIP guests in the remembrance service.

Two minutes’ silence was held, after which William laid a wreath bearing the note: “For Jo, Lex and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.”

Queen Elizabeth II led a solemn annual ceremony to honour the country’s war dead in London on Sunday.

Thousands of veterans, officials and onlookers gathered near central London’s Cenotaph war memorial to mark Remembrance Sunday, which is held every year on the nearest Sunday to the anniversary of the end of World War I on 11 November, 1918.

It now pays tribute to the dead in all conflicts, including World War II, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Those attending observed a traditional two-minute silence.

The Queen, dressed in a black coat and hat, led a ceremony to lay wreaths at the foot of the war memorial. She was followed by other royals dressed in military uniforms including Prince Philip and Prince Charles.

In an article in The Sunday Telegraph today, William said he was humbled by the respect shown for fallen heroes.

He said: “The country is as fervent today in its support for our armed forces and the sacrifices that they make as it has ever been.

We know that he wants to be here; to be honest, he would rather be out fighting with us so it’s good to see him here – Sgt Nick Rodgers

“The awareness of what young men and women are doing for us in the most extreme and hostile environments imaginable is striking and moving.

“I find this remarkable and, frankly, humbling…”

After the visit, William said the occasion was extremely important to him, not only to remember personal friends he had lost, but everyone who lost their lives in the line of duty.

A bomb disposal expert who lost both legs in an explosion in Afghanistan praised Prince William’s visit to Helmand Province.

Ken Bellringer, 38, from the Royal Logistic Corps, said the servicemen and women on operations in the country would have added “respect” for the Royal for making the journey out to see them.

The Warrant Officer 2nd Class was part of a group of veterans who paraded past the Princess Royal at the conclusion of the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall and were applauded by the crowds.

Commenting on William’s brief visit to Camp Bastion, Britain’s main military base in Afghanistan, the wheelchair-bound soldier said: “That will mean a lot to the people that are serving out there.

“I was out there last year and for the people that came out to see us we always had a little bit of respect for them – to put themselves out and go to that theatre is important.”

In Afghanistan, Sgt Nick Rodgers, from South Yorkshire, serving with Brigade Reconnaissance Force, 16 Air Assault Brigade, said: “It’s a big occasion all round – we’ve got to stay focused for the job in hand but it’s still recognised throughout.

It was a good surprise. It gives the boys a bit of morale, it’s good to see the hierarchy coming to see us – Ranger Gareth Murdoch

“We know that he wants to be here; to be honest, he would rather be out fighting with us so it’s good to see him here.”

Private Steven Bell, from the 5th Battalion the Royal Scottish Regiment (the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) met the Defence Secretary.

He said: “It gives you some morale when you see someone taking their time to come and see you, especially when we’ve been here two months working long days.”

The troops were told about the VIP’s visit only 15 minutes before his arrival.

Ranger Gareth Murdoch, from the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment, said: “It was a good surprise. It gives the boys a bit of morale, it’s good to see the hierarchy coming to see us.

“It’s a big event, a very big event – it’s great to see all the soldiers getting together and remembering our forebrothers.”

Prince William and Dr Fox also met members of the Afghan National Army, as well as Commonwealth troops.