MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Duke of Edinburgh Unveils Royal Marines Memorial.

The Royal Marines Memorial in the Mall, London, renovated with a £15,000 (22,000 dollar) contribution from the Falkland Islands Government, has been formally unveiled by the Duke of Edinburgh, Captain General Royal Marines (on 29th October). Several Royal Marines who fought in the 1982 Conflict were present.

The Marines put up a gallant defence of Stanley and later joined the Task Force in the recapture of the Islands. Nearly fifty per cent of the Corps were deployed, led by two Royal Marines Land Force Commanders, Major General Sir Jeremy Moore, and Brigadier, later Major General, Julian Thompson.

The Falklands Government donation was previously handed over by Councillor Sharon Halford (on October 9th) to meet the shortfall needed for the Appeal to reach its target of £85,000.

The statue, erected in 1903, has been restored as part of a Millennium Year initiative, to become a National Memorial in tribute to Royal Marines who served all round the Globe in the 20th Century.

The Falkland Islands have a long association with the Royal Marines who helped build the first British settlement on the Islands in 1766. In 1964 a permanent detachment was established. In 1976 the Islands conferred the Freedom of Stanley upon the Royal Marines in appreciation of their close links for more than two centuries".

Harold Briley, London