MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
HMS Clyde marks liberation of Falklands with key role in ceremonies
His head bowed in reverence, HMS Clyde’s AB Gaiger honors the 255 Britons killed 32 years ago to liberate the Falklands. (Pic RN) Sailors from HMS Clyde joined other protectors of the Falkland Islands as the British Overseas Territory marked the 32nd anniversary of its liberation. The ship’s company took part in a memorial service and parade, and hosted veterans of the 1982 conflict on Liberation Day in the Islands’ capital, Stanley.
The Islands’ present-day Royal Navy guard-ship sailed into Stanley so its sailors could join local civilians and members of the Falkland Islands Defense Force at Liberation Day events.
June 14 is a national holiday in the Falklands, but it is a solemn affair in the depths of the austral winter. The patrol ship’s sailors had the honor of being the lead platoon in the march through the heart of the capital.
Stepping ashore for their final rehearsal in the early-morning darkness, the ship’s company faced strong winds and a flurry of snow. Thankfully, during the memorial service in Stanley Cathedral the sun came out to take the edge off the keen breeze.
The chill was still sufficient to give the smallest taste of what those we marched to honor had endured at sea and in the field in May and June 1982.
“It is vitally important that we never forget those lost and injured in the service of their country, made even more poignant by the presence of so many veterans and Islanders for whom this is a living memory. I am incredibly proud to bring my Ship’s Company to be a part of a very fitting and memorable parade”.
As part of the commemorations, HMS Clyde hosted three veterans of the war: soldier Kenny Ward from Scunthorpe and Brian Matthews from Coventry, both gunners with the 12th Regiment RA, and ‘Dusty’ Miller from Glasgow, in 1982 a private in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps refueling Harriers and helicopters at a temporary airstrip at Port San Carlos.
On Liberation Day in 1982 Kenny raised the Union Flag on the hill overlooking Port Stanley. He made a promise to return and first came back in 2008, when he again raised the flag in memory of those who died. He said: “I keep coming back to remember those who died. It is a privilege to be here, the Islanders are always welcoming and I have made really good friends.”
Brian was only 20 when his leave was cancelled and he found himself on the way to the Falklands and subsequently spent his 21st birthday on San Carlos Hill during his second tour here. He said of his experiences during the war: “I would do it again, I feel very strongly about it.”
Dusty concurred: “It is one of the best things I have done I am very proud of what we did.” (RN)
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Jun 17th, 2014 - 08:02 am 0And very much appreciated, Lads♥
Jun 17th, 2014 - 09:08 am 0No words are ever enough to express gratitude to liberators. Either by those that send them, those who are their comrades or those who are liberated.
Jun 17th, 2014 - 10:01 am 0775 MEN were wounded during the Falklands War. 255 made the ultimate sacrifice. Because the territory they would recover, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands ARE British, as ARE the people they liberated. We must also remember that 3 innocent Falkland Islanders were killed, solely through the war crimes of the occupying argie criminals.
The Falkland Islands should always consider itself, amongst other things, as a memorial to British airmen, sailors and soldiers. And never forgetting the Royal Marines.
Out of a population of around 1,500, the Falkland Islands lost 3. But it might have been many more if the ethnic cleansing had not already started!
We must not only remember those that died, but also those that survived. And performed courageously during the liberation. The civilians that could have fled or hidden, but didn't. Who came out, putting themselves in danger, to help the liberating forces.
Just as good, in its own way, as Rorke's Drift, the charge of the Light Brigade, the Battle of Fuentes de Onoro and The Few. Every Falkland Islander should forever be proud.
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