THE daughter of a Notts serviceman killed in Afghanistan has given a reading at a memorial service at Westminster Abbey today.

Kelly Thompson, 16, from Sherwood, whose father Senior Aircraftman Gary Thompson died in April, attended the armed forces memorial service at the abbey along with other members of her family.

An Armed Conflicts Memorial was dedicated in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. The memorial honours those who have been killed in conflict zones since the end of the Second World War.

Gary Thompson's funeral

Situated in the south cloister of the historic Abbey, the memorial commemorates Service personnel, both regular and reserve, and members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and the Merchant Navy killed while in support of the Armed Forces. It is in the form of an integral metal plaque and inscribed with the words:

"Remember the men and women of the Armed and Auxiliary Forces who lost their lives in times and places of conflict since The Second World War."

Surrounding the plaque in stone are the words "Today – Tomorrow – Forever".

Kelly Thompson attended the service with her mother and four sisters, and said: "It is a great honour to take part in the service today.

"I think this memorial is a lovely way to remember those who have given their lives. My dad was so supportive of his family and I know he would have wanted me to take part. He loved the Armed Forces and this is a great tribute to him and all those who have lost their lives in conflict."

Defence Secretary John Hutton, who attended the service, said: "This memorial provides a focus in London for those killed in conflict since the end of the Second World War. It is only right that the sacrifices made by those serving their country are remembered in such a historic location."

Attending the service were Defence Ministers and Chiefs, 400 Service personnel from the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and the families of those who have lost their lives.

Family tributes to Gary Thompson