A Newcastle veteran has urged people to remember the brave soldiers killed in the 'Aden Emergency' when a poignant memorial service is held in the city.
Neil Finlay, 76, from Blaydon, served with the Northumberland Fusiliers and was aged just 20 when he was in Aden during the conflict in 1966. The National Army Museum describes the 'Aden Emergency,' as an insurgency against British rule in the south of the Arabian Peninsula that took place between 1963 to 1967.
Veteran Neil said he lost a number of colleagues and friends in Aden and that it was important for people to remember those who died. Every year for the last 55 years, Neil has joined fellow veterans in paying tribute to those who lost their lives while serving their country at a special ceremony on June 20.
At 11am on Monday, veterans from around the world will gather outside of St Thomas' Church in the city centre to remember them. This year, the service will see veterans travel from as far as Australia and Canada to the city to remember those they served alongside who lost their lives in Aden.
Among those in attendance will be veterans from the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, Coldstream Guards and the Queen's Dragoon Guards who will lay wreaths outside of the church.
Neil said: "It is a memorial service to those who lost their lives. It is important to never forget them. We have the service to remember those that laid their lives down in Aden."
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