Leighton Buzzard to mark 15th anniversary of Iraq war with services of remembrance
Leighton Buzzard will mark the 15th anniversary of the end of the Iraq War (Operation TELIC) this May, with the community invited to come together in reflection and remembrance.
The Royal British Legion Leighton Buzzard Branch will host two Services of Remembrance on 22 May 2026, honouring all who served, those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and the families who supported them throughout the conflict.
The first service will take place at 11:00am in the Memorial Gardens, Linslade, followed by an evening service at 7:00pm in Church Square, Leighton Buzzard. Both services will include prayers, an act of remembrance and the laying of wreaths.
Following the evening service, attendees are warmly invited to gather at the Royal British Legion Club to reflect, share experiences and come together as a community.
The branch is encouraging local veterans, serving personnel, families and residents to attend, with a particular welcome extended to those who served during Operation TELIC or supported loved ones who did. The commemoration aims to provide a meaningful moment of recognition for those whose lives were shaped by the conflict.
Branch chair, Major (Retd) Mike Lovell, said the anniversary is “an important moment to recognise the service and sacrifice of all those connected to Operation TELIC, and to ensure their contribution is remembered here within our local community.”