I served in Northern Ireland as a teenager – we must never forget those who fought and the sacrifices they made, writes Stuart Anderson MP

I served in Northern Ireland as a teenager – we must never forget those who fought and the sacrifices they made Our Armed Forces put their lives on the line for this country. We owe it to them to ensure their service and sacrifice are never forgotten, writes the Shadow Minister for War Readiness Sign up to the Opinion Newsletter I agree to receive updates and information about my account, the GB News Community, and related products and services from GB News.

Email address Sign up By signing up you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy and Community Rules. Thank you for signing up! See the latest from GB News here . Choose GB News on Google - add us as a preferred source Choose GB News Support GB News Champion free speech and independent journalism while unlocking exclusive benefits. Support us This Remembrance Sunday, I wanted to reflect on my own military service, particularly my time serving in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

I was just a teenager when I deployed to Belfast. I spent 18 months there as a young rifleman in the Green Jackets. I wasn't an officer. I wasn't even a Lance Corporal. I was a young lad doing the job my country had asked me to do. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say I knew my orders. I knew the rules of engagement. But nothing could have fully prepared me for what I would experience. I witnessed things that no young person should see. Remembrance Sunday parades take place across the UK on November 8 | SUPPLIED Things that have stayed with me throughout my life .

Things that, for many years, I desperately tried to forget, and I know I am not alone. Across our country, there are thousands of veterans who carry memories of their service that most people could never begin to imagine. Some talk about their experiences with old friends over a couple of beers. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Nigel Farage reveals Remembrance Sunday plan after huge row over 'Establishment Cenotaph ban' Outrage as Civil Service calendar fails to mark Remembrance Sunday but celebrates trans day British heroes face being booted out of veteran accommodation just before Remembrance Day ome Secretary Yvette Cooper, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Speaker of the House of Lords, Lord McFall, Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, DUP leader Gavin Robinson, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London | PA The great hope of the First World War was that it would indeed be the war to end wars | GETTY Others never speak about them at all.

Not because they have forgotten, but because remembering can be too painful. For many years, I struggled with my own experiences. I have spoken openly about my battle with complex post-traumatic stress, and the therapy that helped me finally process what I had witnessed. It wasn't easy, but I was fortunate to come through the other side. Sadly, I know many friends who are still fighting those battles today. Worse, I had friends who lost the battle on their return, through injury or even suicide.

That is why Remembrance means so much to me. When we stand in silence at eleven o'clock, we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Those who went to war and never came home. Those whose families were left with an empty chair at the dinner table and a lifetime of grief. Though we must also remember those who came home, forever changed by what they experienced. I think about the men I served alongside. Friendships forged in the most difficult circumstances.

The courage, professionalism, and humour that got us through some incredibly dark days. I think about the soldiers who served in Northern Ireland, often as teenagers, who were sent into dangerous situations and expected to make life-or-death decisions in a split second. And I think about the families who supported us, often without ever knowing what we had been through. Service is about duty. It is about putting something bigger than yourself first and sometimes that comes at an extraordinary personal cost.

As Shadow Minister for War Readiness, I know that we must never take the courage of our Armed Forces for granted. We must ensure that those serving today have the support they need, and that those who served before them are never abandoned. Remembrance cannot simply be about wearing a poppy once a year. It must be about how we treat our veterans every day. For all those who stand up and serve, I thank you. To all those who we have lost, we will remember you.

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