MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Honour for Super “Mum” Lorraine McGill.
For her outstanding services to the children of the Falkland Islands and their education, Lorraine McGill has been recognised in the New Year's Honours, announced in London. She has been awarded an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire).
Behind this honour lies 22 years dedicated service and the gratitude of generations of Falklands children, for whom she was a much loved surrogate mother running Stanley House, a hostel for children who leave home in the rural areas of the Camp to attend school in Stanley.
Her work there began in the traumatic Argentine invasion year of 1982 and ended with her retirement in 2004 after 22 years as houseparent and later as Head of Hostel. Her tranquil life of child-care was almost immediately plunged into crisis by the invasion a few weeks after Lorraine moved to Stanley from her home on the beautiful and peaceful wildlife haven of Carcass Island in February 1982, when her children, Roy and Jane, needed full-time schooling.
The day of the invasion brought uncertainty and danger as thousands of Argentine troops occupied the Islands. Faced with evacuating the children back to their worried parents, Lorraine agreed to Education Superintendent John Fowler's request to accompany them to Bluff Cove, Fitzroy and Goose Green in 18 Land Rovers with volunteer drivers, to link up with Brooke Hardcastle at Darwin, then take others of them by the boat Penelope to Port Howard.
Argentine soldiers were arriving at Goose Green, and Penelope was buzzed by Argentine aircraft, but skipper Findlay Ferguson used Susan Nightingale's white pillowcase as a white flag and everyone got home safely.
Traumatised by war Some of the children were left traumatised, as she explains. "Children from Goose Green had been locked up in the hall and seen their parents taken out at gun point. Others from the San Carlos areas had been in ?Bomb Alley'. They had made friends with British servicemen, and then seen some of them killed in the bombing. As a result they would become quite aggressive and played mostly war games".
Gradually, they left those difficult times behind. The hostel, previously a stark, dingy place with no real comforts, was transformed into a bright, homely, welcoming environment, with two new accommodation blocks, opened by Prince Andrew in 1985. After the surrender, Lorraine returned to become a houseparent instead of an unpaid volunteer. "You're a mum really", she explains. "Being there for the children, finding interesting things for them to do and organising their time and outings".
She became Deputy Head of Hostel in 1988 and Head in 1992. The job, she says, "was terrific. It was challenging and fun, and every day was different. There was a lot of laughter and fun and a big family atmosphere".
The most valuable aspect was the trust placed in her by parents and children. On her retirement, she said: "I feel very privileged to have had that trust. Adjusting to leaving home at an early age can be difficult for the children and parents".
In war and in peace, Lorraine McGill did a terrific job, on call 24 hours a day for many years. Her retirement earned her the opportunity to enjoy a more normal lifestyle. And her dedication has now been recognised with a well-deserved MBE which generations of Falklands children will applaud.
Harold Briley, London
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesCommenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!