MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentines feature in 'Dictionary of Falklands Biography'

HE Governor of the Falkland Islands Mr Alan Huckle during the launching of Tatham's book

THE Condor hijackers of 1966 and diplomat Manuel Moreno are among a number of Argentines included in a fascinating 'Dictionary of Falklands Biography' edited by former Falklands Governor David Tatham, launched at Government House on Friday night.

The current Governor of the Falkland Islands His Excellency Mr Alan Huckle, light heartedly drew attention to "a few Argentines" included in the book, at a reception for the many Islanders who contributed to it. Operation Condor was the hijacking of an airliner to Stanley by a group of Argentine nationalists on September 28, 1966. The group were eventually removed from the Islands on October 1 the same year. Diplomat Manuel Moreno protested against the return of the British to the Falklands in 1833. The Dictionary of Falklands Biography) from Discovery up to 1981 describes people concerned with the history of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia from the first discovery in the sixteenth century up to the eve of the Falklands Conflict of 1982. Entries range from brief notes on lesser personalities to essays of 3,000 words on some of the leading figures. The Dictionary includes great explorers like James Cook, Bougainville and Ernest Shackleton, political figures, ministers, a king, one saint and British, French, Argentine and Spanish Governors. Of particular interest to Falkland Islanders may be the stories of native Islanders from pillars of the community to the decidedly eccentric. Falklands campaigner and Islander Velma Malcolm is described as a ceaselessly monitoring and energetically countering Foreign Office attempts in the 1970's to accommodate Argentina's sovereignty claim. Mrs Malcolm was a prime target for Argentine harassment during the 1982 invasion, one of a number of Islanders rounded up at gunpoint and placed under house arrest. Poet, musician and general merchant Des Peck is described as a 'likeable rogue'. According to contributor John Allan, "He (Des) did not believe in accounts or accountants, most of his business transactions were scribbled on the back of a cigarette packet or cardboard shoebox… His firm and patriotic views and his prolific talent for producing verses to commemorate a wide range of public events made him something of a local poet laureate." Contributor to the Dictionary of Falklands Biography Jackie Summers, who attended the reception told Mercopress, "I was honoured to be asked by David Tatham to write my father's entry (D'Earle Draycott) and found the research I did with the help of Archivist Jane Cameron enlightening. I now know a lot more about my father's early days in the Islands as a young travelling teacher and his journey to becoming Superintendent of Education. The book itself makes a substantial contribution to Falklands social and political history and great credit to all those who put their time into it." David Tatham was Governor of the Falkland Islands from 1992-1995 and is currently Chairman of the Falkland Islands Association and has written various articles on Falklands history. He lives in Herefordshire UK with his wife Valerie. In his dedication David Tatham writes, "To the Falkland Islanders of today – Worthy Successors". Photo: L: R back row: Councillors Ian Hansen and Mike Summers, Government Secretary Peter King, Retired Museum Curator and artist John Smith, Mrs Eleanor Peck (widow of Falklands War Hero Terry Peck). Front row: Mrs Alana Morris and Mrs Jackie Summers. More information: Dictionary of Falklands Biography By Lisa Johnston - SeAled PR - Stanley

Categories: Politics, Falkland Islands.

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