Britain’s Prince Harry read a letter from a fallen soldier at a World War One memorial service last night (04.08.14).
The 29-year-old royal – wearing a suit with his Queen’s golden and diamond jubilee medals and one for his service in Afghanistan – flew out to Belgium to join his brother Prince William and sister-in-law Duchess Catherine at the Saint Symphorien Military Cemetery in Mons and at the service he read out the note from Private Michael Lennon, of 1st Battalion the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
The letter was dated May 30 1915 and was written to the soldier’s brother Frank the day before he was due to land in Gallipoli. Michael was killed in action on June 28 1915, exactly a year after events which sparked the war.
At the service, a letter from the mother of John Parr – who is believed to be the first British soldier to have died on the Western Front – to the War Office was read by the serviceman’s grand-niece Iris Hunt, who delivered the reading next to his grave before laying a single white rose.
Catherine – who was known as Kate Middleton before her marriage – laid a bouquet at the commemoration stone in memory of those who lost their lives in battle.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron spoke of the "unbelievable bravery" of those who fought.
He said in an address to gathered dignitaries: "Every war is cruel. But this war was unlike any other.The unspeakable carnage, the unbearable loss, the almost unbelievable bravery.
"One hundred years on, it is right that we meet here – and around the world – to remember."
Prince Harry reads soldier’s letter
