MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

WWII 6Oth Anniversary Commemoration

The Falkland Islands Branch of the Royal British Legion is planning to mark the 60th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War in coincidence with commemorations in the United Kingdom which are scheduled for Sunday 10 July.

A Service of Commemoration will be held at Christchurch Cathedral at 10am, conducted by the Reverend Paul Sweeting and other clergy; at which His Excellency the Governor, Mr Howard Pearce, the Commander British Forces, Commodore Ian Moncrieff RN, and, most importantly, the veterans themselves will be present.

This will be followed by a public reception hosted by The Governor at the FIDF Hall from 11am to 12.30pm, to which all members of the Falkland Islands community are invited.

The Governor will then host a lunch for veterans at Government House, at which attendance will be by invitation only.

It will be appropriate for medals and decorations to be worn to these events. For further information contact Michael Stevens, Chairman of the Falkland Islands Branch of the Royal British Legion by Wednesday 6.

The Falkland Islands were involved in the conflict from the very beginning: they were witness of one of the major sea confrontations, the River Plate battle with the scuttling of the German cruiser Graf Spee in December 1939, and also contributed generously to the war effort.

Falklanders donations paid for ten Spitfires and 150 young men and women served, some giving their lives in that effort.

To mark the 60th Anniversary a new set of stamps were issued by the Falkland Islands on 29th June.

The special issue consists of the following stamps and first day cover: 24p -Walrus Seaplane & Presentation Spitfire; 80p- HMS Exeter & King Edward Memorial Hospital photo; £1 Operation Tabarin I, 1943-44 FDC: The Fitzroy & HMS William Scoresby.(PN/MP)