MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

The red London taxi, potent symbol of Falklands’ history goes into retirement

Mrs. Thatcher, the top VIP to be carried by he red taxi, recalls Don Bonner

It was one of the most poignant moments of the Falklands War when chauffeur Don Bonner drove Governor Rex Hunt and his wife Mavis from Government House to Stanley Airport, as occupying forces raised the Argentine flag and ousted the Queen’s representative from the Falklands.

The red London taxi was a potent symbol of the Falklands’ inextricable links with Britain, and Don ensured its safekeeping until Governor Hunt’s return.

The Austin had first come into service as Crown car for Governor Neville French in 1976, and continued to carry royalty and VIPs for another 34 years. But ss Governor Alan Huckle packed his own bags for the last time, the taxi too was retired.

“It’s a bit sad really,” said Don, one of five current and former drivers to be reunited with the car before it was sent to its new home at the Museum.

“They should have another one to replace it because it’s one of our old traditions to have a London taxi.”

Val Berntsen, who was the first chauffeur to drive the car, echoed Don’s comments: “It’s sad to lose another part of the Falkland Islands,” he said. “It means a lot to me. Rudy Clarke was the first in the Islands to actually drive it. He was the head mechanic and he presented it to me. Every day he used to laugh at me and say who do you love, Cecilia or the taxi, because I was forever polishing it”.

The car went into storage in 1996 under Governor Richard Ralph (1996-99), because of its condition and because many of the replacement parts needed to keep it going was obsolete.

It was restored in 2005 by Bruce Miller of Stanley Body Repairs and given a new licence plate F1 MNT in time for Governor Howard Pearce’s wedding at Christ Church Cathedral.

Among VIPs to be carried in the taxi were British politicians Michael Heseltine, John Nott and Douglas Hurd, and Lord Shackleton and Sherpa Tensing.

But driving Margaret Thatcher remains one of Don’s most vivid memories: “When I drove Maggie Thatcher into Stanley from the airport, everybody was out waving to her” he said.

“I’m quite pleased it’s going up to the Museum and not being forgotten about because normally the old taxis, when they retired, went to the funerals as a hearse. I know a lot of tourists I’ve met have always asked about it.”

Joining Don and Val for Saturday’s photo shoot were fellow chauffeurs Glen Williams, Kevin Ormond and Geoffrey Stevens. June Clark was on leave. (PN).-