MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

HMS Liverpool commemorates landings day in San Carlos water

The 21st of May 1982 marked the start of the land campaign to retake the Falkland Islands, when elements of 3 Commando Brigade and the Parachute Regiment went ashore in San Carlos.

Exactly 24 years to the day, HMS Liverpool commemorated these events whilst at anchor in San Carlos Water. In 1982 this narrow waterway was packed with warships, amphibious shipping, merchant ships taken up from trade, and landing craft constantly running back and forth, ferrying troops and supplies from ship to shore. It was, from shortly after the initial landings, subjected to near constant air attack. This year, however, all was quiet as Liverpool formed the backdrop to the memorial service ashore.

Liverpool's Captain, Commander Henry Duffy Royal Navy, together with a selection of the ship's company participated in a memorial service at San Carlos cemetery to remember those who fell in the landings. Also present was the Commander British Forces, Commodore Ian Moncrieff Royal Navy, a sizeable contingent from the British forces currently stationed in the South Atlantic, and many Falkland Islanders.

Meanwhile a joint team from the Mount Pleasant Complex (MPC) Sub-Aqua Club and HMS Liverpool dived on the wreck of HMS Antelope, which lies in San Carlos Water, to raise a White Ensign over her, thereby maintaining the tradition of keeping an ensign flying over as many of the Navy's war graves as possible. A series of work up dives and searches to locate her exact position were necessary, these were led by WO2 Marty Hales RE and his team from MPC: Sgt Danny Miekleham (REME), Sgt Kev Findlay (RAF), Mr John Colquhone (VT Merlin) and CPOMEA Sid Sindall.

On the day, a team of four divers from Liverpool, Lt Conor O'Neill RN, Lt Matthew Marriott RN, PO(EW) Johnathan Templeman, and LMEM Karl Chidwick, descended to her fo'c'sle and attached a White Ensign to the barrel of her 4.5 inch gun.

In the centre of the ensign was a Royal Engineers regimental flash and cap badge, to mark the loss of Staff Sergeant Prescott, the Bomb Disposal Officer who was killed whilst attempting to make safe a bomb which lodged inside Antelope.

Liverpool's Captain, Commander Henry Duffy Royal Navy commented :

"As Liverpool is in the Falklands during the anniversary of these key events, it is important that my team realise the ultimate sacrifice their predecessors made. I am delighted that my sailors have been able to maintain the ensign replacing tradition whilst their colleagues were ashore remembering their fallen comrades."

Royal Navy HMS Liverpool Type 42 Destroyer is an air defence platform armed with Sea Dart missiles, a 4.5" gun and numerous close-in weapons. She displaces 4,000 tons and has a complement of 280 personnel. Powered by 2 Rolls Royce Olympus and 2 Rolls Royce Tyne gas turbines, she is capable of speeds in excess of 28 knots.

In the war against Iraq in 2003, HMS Liverpool had the prestigious duty of Air Defence Commander to the UK Maritime Battle Group as well as being guardship to the Fleet Flagship, HMS Ark Royal. After completing this mission, she went on to the Far East with Naval Task Group 2003. In 2005 she completed a highly successful patrol in the Caribbean where as the "Drug Busting Destroyer" she interdicted millions of pounds worth of illicit drugs and provided the UK's front line hurricane relief capability.

HMS Liverpool deployed to the South Atlantic in January 2006.

Photo :The Captain Commander Henry Duffy and a group of Liverpool's sailors at the memorial service.(RN)