Op Telic: 20 Years On

Hear first-hand accounts from British veterans who took part in the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

On 19 March 2003, a combined force from the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq. The British effort was codenamed Operation Telic and saw the largest gathering of British troops since the Second World War. 

In this unique conversation, join Lieutenant Ian Cross, WO2 Andy Abbot and Lance Sergeant Bob Giles as they share their personal experiences of taking part in this historic campaign, each bringing their own perspective. 

Lieutenant Cross served as a subaltern troop leader in the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment and went to war not long after graduating from Sandhurst. 

WO2 Andy Abbott was a Royal Engineers reservist, mobilised for his bomb disposal skills. He was later seconded to Task Force 22, which sought to track down Weapons of Mass Destruction. 

Lance Sergeant Bob Giles served with the Irish Guards in Iraq. Towards the end of the main invasion phase, he was shot in the chest during a foot patrol and experienced serious injury. 

All three veterans feature in 'Burning Horizon: British Veteran Accounts of the Iraq War 2003' by Julian Whippy, who will chair the conversation. Copies of the book will be available to purchase at the end of the event. 

Schedule

5.30pm – Doors open 
6.30pm – Event begins
7.45pm – Book signing 
8.15pm – Doors close