MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Battle Day in London – A New Chairman for the Association

Association Chairman David Tatham and Falklands Councillor Dick Sawle go forward to lay their wreaths

Falklands Battle Day was commemorated in Britain this year on Saturday December 10th at the Cenotaph, in fine sunny weather.

A good turnout of Islanders, veterans of the Falklands War, and Falklands supporters were led by a colour guard from the Royal Navy at Portsmouth, HMS Collingwood at Fareham and cadets from Pangbourne Naval School under Parade Marshal Air Commodore Peter Johnson, a former commander of British Forces in the Falklands.

The service was conducted by the Reverend Prebendary William Scott, Chaplin to the Queen at Buckingham Palace. A Royal Marine bugler sounded the Last Post and a one minute silence was observed for those who fell in both World Wars and in the 1982 conflict to liberate the Falklands from Argentine occupation.

Air Vice Marshal Tony Stables, a veteran of the Falklands conflict, then laid the wreath on behalf of Britain’s Armed Forces. He was followed by Falklands Councillor Dick Sawle who laid the wreath from the Falkland Islands Government, together with Association Chairman David Tatham who laid the wreath from the Falkland Islands Association. Falklands conflict veteran, Colonel Chris Keeble, then laid the wreath for the South Atlantic Medal Association together with Mrs Anne Townsend whose wreath was from the Falklands Families Association. Sisters Karen and Laura Minto laid the wreath for the Young People of Falklands, together with Miss Eileen Turner who laid the wreath from the Association of Men of Kent and Kentish Men. Finally, Mr. Douglas Harris laid the wreath for the HMS Protector Association together with Mr. Andrew Rosindell MP whose wreath was from the UK Falkland Islands All-Party Parliamentary Group.

After the service, the colour guard led the parade away to nearby King Charles Street, where it was inspected by Air Vice Marshal Stables.

Association AGM

Following the ceremony at the Cenotaph, the Falkland Islands Association held its AGM.

Retiring Chairman Mr. David Tatham conducted the AGM until the formal election, by a massive show of hands, of Mr. Alan Huckle as the new Chairman. Mr. Huckle was governor of the Falklands from 2006 to 2010. So he brings a wealth of recent knowledge and experience to the position. Mr. Tatham was presented with gifts of appreciation for his years of service. Both he and incoming chairman Mr. Huckle spoke about the task of the Association in support of Falkland Islanders, and about the current situation in the South Atlantic. Two other former governors attended the AGM, Mr. Donald Lamont and Mr. Richard Ralph, both of them members of the Association.

Mrs Merle Christie presented the Bill Hunter-Christie prize for the most outstanding Falkland Islander studying in Britain this year to Miss Karen Minto, who is in her second year at Worcester College.

The AGM was addressed by Falklands Councillor Dick Sawle, and by Mr. Andrew Rosindell MP. He assured everyone of the continued wholehearted support of the British Government for the Falklands.

The AGM ended with a fine lunch.

By Peter Pepper - London