Hundreds of people gathered at the National Arboretum in Alrewas for a poignant dedication ceremony to the 119 servicemen who lost their lives in the course of duty last year.

Families from all over the country attended the special service on Saturday to remember their loved ones who died serving their country. Amongst those attending were the families of Walsall soldier Jonathan Horne and Kidderminster soldier Richard Brandon.

Both men died last year on duty in Afghanistan. Corporal Horne, known as JJ to his family and friends, of the 2nd Battalion The Rifles, died last July aged 28 after an explosion in Helmand Province.

Lance corporal Richard Brandon, of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, was killed last September after the supply vehicle he was driving hit a roadside bomb. He was 24.

The service, held annually at the National Memorial Arboretum was led by Bishop John Kirkham and attended by the Earl of Wessex and senior military leaders.

A  list of the 119 names was read out and the RAF Central Band then played The Last Post.

Families who had lost loved one’s in the army, navy and RAF, were then invited to  lay a wreath including Corporal Horne’s wife Rachel and Lieutenant Corporal Brandon’s fiancee Emily-Jayne Webster.

Despite the emotion of the day Miss Webster said the occasion meant a great deal to her and her family.

She said: “I think what I’ve seen is absolutely spectacular. It’s wonderful recognition for what Richard did and what he believed in and for his country.”

Jane Whitehouse, mother of Corporal Horne was too emotional to attend the event on Saturday. But she returned yesterday with members of her family for their own private service where she saw his name etched into stone.