article_snippet: There seemed to be a medal on every uniform – be it military or school.
article_snippet: Three Victoria Crosses, four George Crosses, 1,650 gallantry decorations and tens of thousands of campaign medals were awarded during Britain’s 13-year action in Afghanistan.
article_snippet: Yesterday, as Afghanistan gathered to honour that campaign at St Paul’s Cathedral, several children were wearing the medals of fathers who never returned from the war against the Taliban.
article_snippet: Devised by the sovereign at the height of the Afghan conflict in 2009, it is a silver brooch presented to the next of kin of every member of the Armed Forces killed in the line of duty – and there were 453 of those in Afghanistan.
article_snippet: Historians and politicians will still be debating the merits of the Afghan project years from now.
highlights_snippet: Several children were wearing medals of fathers who never returned .