Prince William unveils World War One memorial in Staffordshire

Prince William, who dedicated the statue at Staffordshire's National Memorial Arboretum, yesterday, said: "This week, teams at every level of the game have been coming together before matches to unite for mixed team photos, evoking the spirit of the Christmas Truce.

"This weekend, young footballers from the nations who fought against each other in 1914 will come together in Ypres to compete in the Premier League Christmas Truce International Tournament.

"Next Wednesday, the British Army will take on the German Army in a special football match, which promises to be truly poignant as serving soldiers repeat this remarkable occasion 100 years on."

FA chairman Greg Dyke told the guests, who included England manager Roy Hodgson, how he had visited the First World War battle sites on the continent.

He said: "Yesterday I was on the actual site of one of the events of the 1914 Christmas Day Truce, the kickabout between British and German soldiers.

"What I found interesting was that both British and German football supporters had been visiting the site for many years, leaving scarves and other mementos in remembrance of those who played and those who died.

"These unofficial gestures by fans have prompted Uefa to build a formal memorial which was opened yesterday."

Mr Dyke added: "We were told the stories of what had happened on that Christmas Day, how amid the despair and the destruction the human spirit still flourished. How men from both sides were able to overcome the nightmare of mass warfare and celebrate Christmas together with a drink, a chat, a cigarette and famously a game of football.

"Predictably, the story goes the Germans won on penalties."

During the dedication ceremony for the Football Remembers memorial, Brigadier Steve Vickery, from the Army Football Association, read the famous verse from the poem For The Fallen, which begins with the line: "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old."

During the poignant ceremony, a bugler played the Last Post.

Since planting began in 1997, the National Memorial Arboretum has been a special place honouring those who have served, and continue to serve, the nation in many different ways.

Covering 150 acres, the Arboretum is a peaceful and beautiful place to remember loved ones, particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

There are more than 300 dedicated memorials on the site.

Alongside military memorials, there is a large area devoted to police who have fallen while on duty, as well as other areas devoted to the fire and rescue and ambulance services.

The Arboretum was the brainchild of Commander David Childs CBE who wished to see established a national focus for remembrance.

Following a meeting with Group Captain Leonard Cheshire VC, an appeal was launched in 1994 by the then Prime Minister, John Major.

The National Lottery, in the form of the Millennium Commission, granted 40 per cent of the funds needed and this was matched by thousands of donations.

The site was created by thousands of people and the Arboretum was officially opened to the public in May 2001.

The prince also visited St Basils Supported Accommodation in Birmingham yesterday to meet young residents and staff and Holford Drive Community Sports HUB, also in Birmingham, to formally open the community sports centre.