A commemoration service to mark the 35th anniversary of the end of the Gulf War and to remember those members of the British military that lost their lives was held at St. Paul’s Church on Saturday, 28 February, 2026.
The Gulf War was the result of the invasion of Kuwait on the 2nd of August, 1990, by the armed forces of Iraq and the then President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, refusing to withdraw his armed forces back across the border into Iraq.
Britain was part of an alliance of the 39 countries that consisted of approximately 670,000 military personnel, with Britain contributing approximately 53,000. Despite the British forces expecting a high amount of fatalities, the total loss of British lives was 47.
The event was very well attended by veterans, cadets from The Army Cadet Force and the Sea Cadets and members of the public. Also in attendance were civic dignitaries representing the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham; Commander Ian Berry MBE, Vice-Chair of Durham County Council; Councillor (Cllr) Jackie Teasdale and the Mayor of Spennymoor Cllr Liz Maddison and her consort Cllr Clive Maddison.
The congregation were shown a video about the Gulf War, which was made for the 30th anniversary, entitled “Gulf War and Operation Granby: What happened 30 years ago?” that brought back memories for the Gulf War veterans and they also heard of a personal account of his Gulf War experience from Stephen Berry who served with the Royal Corps of Signals.
Britain’s code name for the combat phase of the Gulf War was Operation Granby, which involved all three services of our armed force and this was acknowledged in parts of the service with the standard bears marching into the church to the tune of the “Royal Air Force (R.A.F.) March Past” in respect of the two R.A.F. pilots who became the first of the British Prisoners of War, Commander Ian Berry MBE Royal Navy giving the reading and the standard bearers marching out of the church to “Begone Dull Care”, which is the quick of the Royal Corps of Signals and they were the first British troops to capture Iraqi Prisoners of War.
A collection was taken during the service, which £111.00 was collected and will be donated to the National Gulf Veterans and Families Association and after the service a buffet was provided by the Spennymoor branches of the Royal Navy and Royal Signals associations in the K.G.H. club.
One of the organisers of the event and Gulf War veteran Pete Molloy said, “It is important that we always remember those that paid the ultimate sacrifice whilst serving their country, which was the main reason for our commemoration service today.
“On behalf of the Gulf War veterans,and organisers, I would like to thank the Vicar of St. Paul’s Church, Matt Tarling for having the service in his church, the civic dignitaries and members of the public for attending, the branches of the Royal Navy and Royal Signals associations for providing the buffet and the committee of the K.G.H. for allowing us to use their venue.”
If there are any veterans interested in attending the Spennymoor Veterans Breakfast Club, the next one will take place on Saturday, 28 March at 11am in Wetherspoons.
Spennymoor's local community newspaper.
