MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Baroness Thatcher opens Falklands' war anniversary exhibition

RN Surgeon Commander Rick Jolly who was honoured by both Britain and Argentina

Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher opened Tuesday an exhibition at the Imperial War Museum North in London to mark the 25 anniversary of the Falklands War. The 81 year old Baroness oversaw the 74 days conflict in 1982 which repelled Argentina's attempt to take over the Islands.

Falkland Islands government representative Sukey Cameron, Falklands' farmer Tim Miller, together with a group of British veterans and a former Argentine Naval Officer who served in the war were also present at the opening of the exhibition that will run until January 6, 2008. Before touring the exhibition Lady Thatcher met a number of people involved in the war including General Sir Jeremy Moore, former commander of the British Land Forces Falkland Islands, who accepted surrender from the Argentines. Also attending the event was Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire, who commanded No 1 (F) Squadron Royal Air Force; Admiral Sir Alan West, Captain of the British frigate HMS Ardent; Commander Diego Garcia Quiroga, an Officer in an Argentine naval covert operations unit that was tasked to capture Governor Sir Rex Hunt on 2 April 1982, before the initial Argentine landing; Lieutenant Colonel Ewen Southby-Tailyour, who, as a member of 3 Commando Brigade, was placed in command of all landing craft and led all the major amphibious landings and Peter Holdgate, the Commando Forces Photographer whose picture of a marine with a Union Jack on his pack 'yomping' towards Stanley became the iconic image of the war. Naval Nursing Sister Nicci Pugh who, as a member of Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service, worked aboard HM Hospital Ship Uganda was also in attendance. So was Major-General Julian Thompson, who commanded 3 Commando Brigade in the initial landings and subsequent land fighting, and has acted as a historical adviser to the exhibition. "It's great to be here" said Tim Miller who was partially blinded during a British air attack at Dunnose Head, West Falkland and was treated on board the Uganda. "To us, Margaret Thatcher was what Churchill was to Britain in the Second World War". The exhibition has gathered letters, sketches and memorabilia from survivors and witnesses to the conflict exploring the remarkable stories of both British and Argentine service personnel. One item is the joystick of the Scout helicopter shot down on its way to pick up Lieutenant Colonel "H" Jones, the mortally wounded Paras' commanding officer who was later awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. When the helicopter was shot down, one member of the crew, Sgt Bill Belcher, lost a leg. His fellow crew member Lieutenant Richard Nunn was killed in the attack. The exhibition also displays the diary and medals of The Royal Navy Surgeon Commander Rick Jolly, who established and ran the British field hospital at Ajax Bay which became known as the "Red and Green Life Machine" and which treated the wounded from both sides. Jolly was honoured by both Britain and Argentina for his humanitarian work - a unique distinction in modern conflict. Visitors will also see a letter written by Lt Col "H" Jones to his wife Sara, who was present at the event. A hand-written news despatch from Goose Green belonging to BBC correspondent Robert Fox will demonstrate how news of the war reached those at home. A letter Miller sent to his family during the war and one of the pieces of shrapnel he collected from the strike on his home. Other items on display include a crucifix belonging to Commander Nestor Cenci, who was aboard the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano when she was sunk by a British submarine in May 1982, a turning point for the conflict. A defused Argentine contact sea mine recovered during a gale off the Falklands, following the war is also on exhibit. Lady Thatcher also met Commander Alan West, now the retired First Sea Lord who was captain of the British frigate HMS Ardent when, on 21 May 1982, the ship came under repeated attack, leaving 22 of her crew dead and forcing the others to abandon the vessel. They were transferred to HMS Yarmouth and Ardent sank 24 hours later.