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A service commemorating the British Army\u2019s decades-long deployment in Northern Ireland has taken place.<\/p>\nA service commemorating the British Army\u2019s decades-long deployment in Northern Ireland has taken place.<\/p>\n
Veterans from around the UK attended the event near Belfast, close to the British Army\u2019s Lisburn headquarters.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of ex-servicemen attended, including those from the Royal Engineers and the Parachute Regiment.<\/p>\n
A group of ex-servicemen on bikes, calling themselves the Legion Riders, wore leathers decorated with airbrushed scenes from the Battle of Britain and the Somme.<\/p>\n
When the UK’s army first deployed in 1969, the intention was a short intervention.<\/p>\n
By 2005 when it ended, Operation Banner had become the British Army\u2019s longest continuous deployment.<\/p>\n
DUP leader Arlene Foster, actor Charlie Lawson and widows bereaved during the Troubles were among those to attend.<\/p>\n