MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Dumbarton Castle entertains Sea Cadets

WITH a very busy maintenance period under her belt, HMS Dumbarton Castle returned to sea this week.

After a successful day of trials to prove all the work carried out, the ship was prepped and ready for her first visit to Stanley since Liberation Day back in June where the ship's guard took part in the commemorations.

With a wide and varied programme planned for the passage round to Cape Pembroke, Dumbarton Castle decided it would be the perfect opportunity to take some visitors to sea and show them what the ship is capable of.

Monday, September 18, saw the arrival of six of the Sea Cadets from our affiliated unit in Stanley, TSS Endurance, with PO Bonner, Father Peter Morris (the SCC's Padre) and our colleagues from the Salvation Army (Vic and Anne).

After sailing, the ship went to anchor in Mare Harbour before continuing out past Fox Point for passage to Stanley.

Our guests were given a tour of the ship; visiting, amongst other places, the bridge, the engine room and the gun deck where Petty Officer Barlow gave all a chance to sit in and move the 30mm cannon (unloaded, of course). After lunch Dumbarton Castle began to live up to her nickname of the ?Bouncy Castle' as the seas state deteriorated but, with everyone safely secure on the bridge, the ship carried out a 30mm and General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) firing which all the guests found impressive. It was a good end to a successful day where Dumbarton Castle showed her operational capability remains at its best.

After two days alongside in Stanley which included the first visit by His Excellency the Governor Mr Alan Huckle to Dumbarton Castle, the ship returned to Mare Harbour to carry out flying serials with our colleagues at 78 Squadron.

The ship's company carried out a series of winching and landing-on evolutions before moving into the more challenging ?Night FLYEX' which is a potentially more dangerous undertaking.

However, the exercise was carried out to a high standard, once again showing the high level of capability of not only Dumbarton Castle's ship's company but also the ability of the Falkland Islands' Search And Rescue (SAR) Sea Kings and their crews.

Dumbarton Castlehas now returned to the more regular duties of patrolling the Falklands. (PN) By Lt Arty Shaw

Veterans to re-yomp the Falklands

IN THE early hours of April 2, 1982 the first wave of Argentine troops came ashore on the outskirts of Stanley, to "liberate" the population.

After fierce skirmishing with the tiny Royal Marine garrison they succeeded in capturing His Excellency the Governor and triggered the biggest amphibious operation since D-Day.

Exactly seven weeks later three young Royal Marine Commando officers stepped ashore from a landing craft in Bomb Alley, San Carlos waters, just 70 miles west of 15,000 Argentinean troops. Second Lieutenants Denning, Davies and Shaw had just one aim: to sup English ale in a free capital.

Over the next month Paul Denning, Andy Shaw and John Davies endured air attack, saw warships sink, yomped their massive loads the entire way, to eventually assault, and overcome, a determined enemy dug in on well-defended mountains. Only one of them made it to the pub. Paul and John were both wounded during the attack on Two Sisters.

This November they re-unite for the first time since those dark days to re-trace the route they yomped, to learn how the Falkland Islanders saw it then, and how they see their futures now and, hopefully, to make it all the way, 24 years late, for that well-earned pint, finally together.

The three intend to do the yomp in early November, to arrive in Stanley in time for Remembrance Sunday.

Paul commented, "We are getting great help from Gary Clement (Chairman of SAMA82 Falklands) who is arranging much of our basic administration, for which we are enormously grateful.

"Gary has also arranged for us to stay both on the route and later in Stanley with local families, which we look forward to immensely and again are very grateful for."

On completion of the yomp phase they intend to conduct a couple of presentations to the school and anyone else in Stanley who would like to hear their story'.

As they are coming so far, they have decided to do the yomp for charity and are raising money for the Royal Navy/Royal Marines Children's Fund. "This charity supports the families of Royal Navy and Royal Marines in need, particularly those affected by conflict," Paul said.

"It is particularly relevant to those affected by the conflict in the Falklands." Penguin News