Marines pay tribute under Afghan skies

HUNDREDS of Royal Marines from Plymouth have staged their own Armistice Day service in Kandahar, writes Tristan Nichols in Afghanistan .

Held at 42 Commando's base on the coalition forces' base in Kandahar, the service was led jointly by the unit's commanding officer, Lt Col Charlie Stickland, and Padre Tudor Botwood.

Under a cloudless sky the marines stood, heads bowed, as prayers were said and a roll of honour was read out. A two-minute service was also observed.

Due to operational duties, the service was staged at 9am rather than the usual time of 11am.

Remembrance ceremonies were also staged by the US, Canadians, Dutch and other nations.

Bickleigh's 42 Commando lost two men in the run-up to its operations in Afghanistan.

Their names were read out at the poignant ceremony.

Lt Col Stickland said of forthcoming operations: "We have always said to the lads and their families that I will endeavour to do nothing without purpose and stack the odds in our favour."

42 Commando is two months into a six-month deployment to southern Afghanistan.

Armistice Day is the day when Britain and the Commonwealth commemorate those who have given their lives in war and made the ultimate sacrifice.

It is held annually on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the time the First World War ended in 1918.