MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Freedom of Gosport for Falklands Veterans

A hundred and fifty Falklands veterans returned last Wednesday (Aug 24) to Gosport. This is the town on the western side of Portsmouth Harbour, from where many Task Force ships sailed in 1982 to liberate the Falklands.

This time the veterans were there for a happier occasion - to receive the Freedom of Gosport from the Mayor, Councillor Graham Burgess. The entire Council of Gosport, the Royal British Legion, the Gurkhas, and many veterans' families and other supporters took part. The 17 Port & Maritime Regiment of the Royal Logistics Corps, which supplies the Falklands garrison, formed the Guard of Honour. Weather was poor, but the rain did not dampen spirits.

The ceremony began in Falklands Gardens overlooking the harbour with a service conducted by the Rev. Peter Sutton, Chaplain to the Mayor. They sang the hymns, Praise my Soul the King of Heaven, He Who Would Valiant Be; and Eternal Father Strong to Save. Fallen comrades were remembered in the prayers.

The Mayor, Councillor Burgess, presented the Freedom scroll to the Falklands Veterans Foundation (FVF), which is based in Gosport. He declared the Freedom to be for all veterans. He praised the FVF for its eminent services to the Borough, and to the Falklands veterans and their families. He remembered and acknowledged all those who took part in the campaign and especially their families, who, he said, also had made "tremendous sacrifices in a war that was a fight for freedom against tyranny".

Mr. Derek Cole, Chief Executive and Co-Founder of the FVF, and a Petty Officer on HMS Intrepid during the war, accepted this - again on behalf of all veterans. Colin Waite, the other Co-Founder of the FVF, then delivered the acceptance speech. The ceremony ended with the blessing, the General Salute, and the National Anthem. Spectators applauded as the Veterans, British Legion and Guard of Honour then all marched through Gosport High Street. They were led by two Scottish pipers from the Rose and Thistle band, and the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas.

The salute was taken by the Mayor, accompanied on the dais by Rear Admiral Jeremy Larken, DSO, Captain of HMS Fearless in the war and by Lady Fieldhouse, widow of Lord Fieldhouse of Gosport, Commander-in-Chief in 1982.

Afterwards everyone took part in a reunion in a marquee in Walpole Park, drinks and lunch were served.

Picture caption: The Mayor, Councillor Burgess, Rear Admiral Larken and Lady Fieldhouse take the salute as veterans march past.