MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands conflict trophy up for auction in Oxford

A battle trophy taken from a patrol boat after the Argentine surrender of the Falkland Islands conflict in 1982 is expected to reach hundreds of pounds at auction, reports The News from Portsmouth.

The name board of the ship Isla Malvinas, was taken because it was a symbol of Argentine aggression during the 1982 conflict. The oak board features heavy gauge brass letters, and is being sold with a handwritten and signed statement from the officer it was passed on to. Colonel Ian Baxter was the most senior Commando forces officer present when the vessel's name was removed, shortly after the surrender. He was presented with the name board that a man claiming to be the harbour master had removed from the Argentine ship. Robin Lucas of the Antique Arms and Militaria Department at Bonhams said: "Items from the Falklands conflict rarely come up for sale, so this is a great opportunity to own an interesting and unusual piece of history". The lot goes up for auction at Bonhams in Oxford on January 27, concludes the article. The Islas Malvinas was an Argentine Coast Guard vessel, GC 82.