Carrying book of remembrance was ‘unbelievable’, says Army veteran

An Army veteran said it was “unbelievable” to carry a book of remembrance on stage during a Royal British Legion event at the Royal Albert Hall.

Alex Lowe, 33, said it was an “honour and a privilege” to place the book on top of military drums during the Festival of Remembrance on Saturday evening, which was attended by the royal family.

Mr Lowe, who is from Cornwall, carried the book alongside medic Hayley Lawrence, who helped treat him in Afghanistan, as the singer Alexandra Burke performed Rise Up.

The veteran served in 1st Battalion, The Rifles, completing one tour of Iraq and one of Afghanistan – where he and Ms Lawrence were both injured.

Speaking after the event, Mr Lowe told the PA news agency: “It was unbelievable to see the standing ovation from the whole crowd as soon as the curtain came open.

“Carrying that book with so many names in it that mean a lot to different people out there was indescribable.

“I wanted to deliver it as best as I could for the whole audience, for who it means the most to.”

Discussing his own service, Mr Lowe said: “I was in the Army in The Rifles 1st Battalion and did two operational tours, one in Iraq and one of Afghanistan, where I was sadly injured.

“We lost our Lieutenant, whose name was in the book that I carried tonight.”

Mr Lowe, who was medically discharged from the Army, said it was a “complete honour” to carry the book onto the stage in front of the royal family and veterans.

The King and other members of the royal family stood to applaud Mr Lowe and Ms Lawrence as they brought the book on stage.

Charles was seated next to the Princess Royal, with the Prince and Princess of Wales further along the aisle in the royal box.

The royal family stood in silence as the Last Post was played and poppy petals fell from the ceiling at the Royal British Legion event.