MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Nelson connection with the Falklands to be commemorated.
A special coin will be minted for the Falkland Islands to commemorate the bicentenary in October next year of the Battle of Trafalgar and the death in the battle of Admiral Horatio Nelson.
Reporting on the Falkland Islands Broadcasting Service on the 25th November meeting of Executive Council, the Governor of the Islands, Mr. Howard Pearce, said members had agreed a recommendation from the Financial Secretary that a special one crown coin should be minted to commemorate the bicentenary of what is probably Britain's most famous naval victory. His Excellency, who celebrated his own marriage on Trafalgar Day this year, reported that members felt such a commemoration was especially appropriate because of the links between events in the Islands in 1770 and Lord Nelson.
On the 10th June 1770 a Spanish fleet under the command of Juan Ignacio Madariaga, forced the capitulation of the British garrison at Port Egmont on Saunders Island. This incident came very close to provoking a war between Britain and Spain and also filled a small boy with such patriotic indignation that he decided to join the Royal Navy. That small boy later became Britain's greatest naval hero.
John Fowler (MP) Stanley
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