MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falklands’ service to honour British Forces who lost their lives when landing for the recovery of the Islands
British Cementery at San Carlos (Photo MoD) 
The 21st of May 1982 marked the start of the land campaign to retake the Falkland Islands The Falkland Islands held a commemorative service to the memory of those who lost their lives thirty years ago when British Forces landed in the Islands for the final push against the occupying Argentine forces.
More than 200 Islanders and members of the British Forces South Atlantic gathered at San Carlos in the Falkland Islands sound on Monday 21st May 2012 for the service that marked a crucial day for the liberation of the Islands.
Wreaths were laid at the event by the Deputy Governor of the Falkland Islands, Mr Rick Nye, Mrs Sharon Halford, Member of the Falklands Legislative Assembly and by the Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands, Brigadier Bill Aldridge.
HMS Clyde was at anchor off the British cemetery next to Blue Beach and a service was conducted by chaplains who gave thanks for the courage and example shown by those involved as they landed on Blue and Red Beach under enemy fire.
The Falkland Islands Padre read “We are gathered here to remember those who gave their lives at sea, on land or in the air during the Falklands War,” and continued “Inspired by their example, let us resolve to live our lives worthy of their sacrifice.”
The Act of Remembrance was read out and Last Post played to silence over San Carlos Waters. The commemoration ended with the National Anthem being sung with enthusiasm by all present, according to an official release from the Falklands government.
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Read all comments“At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.”
May 24th, 2012 - 04:27 pm 0Rest in peace lads, thirty years have gone by and they are still free.
This story puzzles me. There was no enemy fire as they landed. There were only air attacks the following day. This article implies a re run of Normandy.
May 24th, 2012 - 06:14 pm 0@2 Not a Normandy re run I grant you,but there were some Argies lurking about
May 24th, 2012 - 06:28 pm 0http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/san_carlos_bay_landings.htm
To prevent nearby Argentine forces attacking the beachhead and disrupting it, groups of Special Forces troops were sent out to deal with the known nearest threats.
A unit from the SBS attacked Argentine forces at Fanning Head (north of San Carlos) and occupied their positions and the SAS attacked positions near Darwin (south of San Carlos Bay). Both attacks took place as the main landing party approached the bay.
At Fanning Head, 25 men from 3 SBS attacked a force of 60 Argentine troops – their very presence on land that overlooked San Carlos Bay threatened the landing. The men from the SBS were landed by helicopter and attacked using mainly GPMG’s. They were supported by gunfire from ‘HMS Antrim’ that was able to fire accurately onto the Argentine positions as the SBS had taken with them a Royal Navy NGFO – Naval Gunfire Forward Observation expert. The Argentinean soldiers were given the opportunity to surrender (the SBS also took along Marine Captain Roderick Bell who could speak fluent Spanish) but refused to do so. 11 Argentinean soldiers were killed, 6 were taken prisoner and the rest fled.
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