BRITAIN ended combat operations in Iraq today in a historic move which means UK forces can finally return home after a bloody conflict that has lasted more than six years.

The occasion was marked with an upbeat ceremony to hand over military responsibility in Basra to the United States, and a sombre remembrance service for the British servicemen and women, ten of whom came from the North, who died during the war.

Defence Secretary John Hutton, who flew to Iraq for the events, said it was a very moving and a very emotional day and spoke of his pride in the UK's Armed Forces.

The pull-out of nearly all the 3,700 British troops remaining in Iraq will now speed up in the coming days.

The momentous day began with a moving memorial service in front of the headquarters of the UK's 20th Armoured Brigade on the main coalition military base next to Basra International Airport.

As pipers played, the names of the 179 British personnel who have died since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 were called out.

This was followed by the reading of the names of the American, Danish, Italian, Dutch, and Romanian troops and the civilian contractors killed in southern Iraq since 2003.

Reading all 234 names took about 29 minutes.

Then bugler Gareth Roberts, 25, from Shrewsbury, of 5 Rifles, played the Last Post and the troops saluted their fallen comrades during a minutes silence.

The chaplain of 20th Armoured Brigade, Father Paschal Hanrahan, said: "Each name is unique and each name tells a story, the story of a son or a daughter, a husband or wife, a father or a mother.

"Each name will invoke powerful memories, not least for the family and loved ones back home, who are very much in our thoughts and prayers today."

Mr Hutton said he had been deeply affected by the ceremony.

"It's a very moving and a very emotional day, particularly I think for the lads here who have served sometimes many tours," he said.

"You hear that long list of names and you have to be made of steel not to feel a very strong sense of emotion about the losses that we have sustained."

Mr Hutton defended the absence from the ceremony of Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who met his Iraqi counterpart, Nouri Maliki, at a trade conference in London today.

He said: "Gordon can't be in two places at the same time.

"I think it's very important that the Prime Minister is in London to greet the Iraqi prime minister. I think that's an entirely appropriate thing for him to do."

Later Brigadier Tom Beckett, commander of 20th Armoured Brigade, formally handed over the mission to Colonel Butch Kievenaar, commander of the US Army's 2nd Brigade 4th Infantry Division.

Brig Beckett said it had been immensely satisfying on his final tour of Iraq to see the fruits of the UK military's efforts over the past six years being successfully harvested.

"We leave knowing we have done our job, done it well, and that we have prepared the ground for continued success for our friends and allies," he said.

"We leave knowing that Basra is a better place now than it was in 2003."

He paid tribute to the work carried out by the American military in Iraq.

"The US Army has adapted to this conflict in an extraordinarily agile way - and we have learned from it."

Brig Beckett also praised the way the Iraqi Army, whose 14th Division was trained by British forces, had developed into a proficient fighting force.

"We know that the security of Basra province is in safe and capable hands," he said.

US Army Major General Michael Oates, who took over military command in Basra from the UK last month, paid tribute to 20th Armoured Brigade's achievements in Basra.

Addressing Brig Beckett, he said: "Your soldiers have earned their place in history and they can now return home with the confidence of a job well done."

He then called on the audience to join him in applauding the achievements of the magnificent brigade.

"The end of UK combat missions marked a major landmark in a controversial and bloody military campaign which has lasted 2,232 days - longer than both World Wars.

"The British military is keen to focus attention away from the bloodshed over the past six years, and towards the improvements achieved on the ground in Basra."

One senior British officer made the point by quoting the words of the top US commander in Iraq, General Ray Odierno: "It's not about how it started, it's all about how it ends.

"The security situation in Basra province has improved significantly in the past year.

"A major Iraqi Army-led operation against militias in Basra city known as Charge of the Knights, which began in March last year, has resulted in far fewer insurgent attacks."

Despite ending offensive operations in Iraq today, British forces retain the right to defend themselves and their convoys if they come under attack.

Around 400 UK troops will remain in Iraq - primarily in Baghdad and at the port of Umm Qasr - after the main pull-out, which must be completed by July 31.