MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

HMS Leeds Castle rededicates Ardent Antelope cross.

HMS Leeds Castle, in one of her last acts before departing the Falkland Islands, rededicated the Ardent-Antelope Cross on a typically blustery September day.

The Falkland Islands Patrol Vessel is charged with the upkeep of several 1982 war memorials throughout the Islands. When it was noticed that this particular memorial was in a poor state of repair a team from the ship led by CPOWEA Jason King and CPOMEA Andrew Collinson dedicated numerous weekends throughout the winter months, often in arduous conditions, to completely overhaul the monument.

Sixteen feet high, the Cross which stands on the summit of Campito, overlooks the final resting place of both ships; HMS Ardent in Falkland Sound and HMS Antelope in San Carlos Water.

HMS Ardent at the time was under the command of the now First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Alan West. Military personnel attended the rededication service from both Leeds Castle and Mount Pleasant and the local landowners who lived through the conflict. (RN).-