Falklands 30th Anniversary Falmouth

Falklands 30th Anniversary Falmouth

Several members of the Branch either took part, knew someone who was involved, or had lost friends and shipmates as a result of the events of 30 years ago. In total, 88 Royal Navy Personnel, 25 Royal Marines, 10 Royal Fleet Auxiliary, 123 Army, 1 RAF, 9 Merchant Navy and 3 women civilians paid the Supreme Sacrifice during the conflict, and 777 were wounded, many of whom were evacuated to the Hospital ship Uganda. Most of the dead were returned to Britain after the war had ended. However 23 bodies did remain in the Falklands, and are buried at the Military Cemetery at San Carlos. Many of the bodies of the men who died at sea were never found, and the ships in which they served and died have become their everlasting and official memorial.

The Service at the War Memorial in Kimberley Park, was conducted by Branch Chaplain the Rev Stephen Tudgey of King Charles the Martyr Church. Standards of RNA Branches from Cornwall and beyond, the Royal Marines Association, the Parachute Regiment Association (Royal Cornwall Branch) and Cornwall RAF Association were present, and Last Post and Reveille were sounded by RBL Bugler Bill Bishop. Admiral Sir Michael Layard read a passage from Revelation Ch 21 vs 1 - 4, and later laid a wreath on behalf of the South Atlantic Medal Association (SAMA). Other wreaths were laid by the Mayor of Falmouth, Cllr Geoffrey Evans; Sarah Newton, MP for Falmouth; Commodore Tony Hogg, President of Falmouth RNA; the Senior Rates' Mess RNAS Culdrose; and Cornwall RAF Association.

Later, more than 110 guests, sat down to an excellent lunch at the Falmouth Beach Hotel. Table decorations were themed to reflect the SAMA colours of light green, white and light blue. Shipmate Lynn Spackman was set a hard task to match the floral decorations to the theme, but came up trumps with green carnations!

As well as Branch members, guests included representatives of RNA Branches from as far afield as Street in Somerset and Plymouth, as well as Helston, Delabole and Launceston, RNAS Culdrose and Falmouth & Penryn Sea Cadets, and Branch Vice President Rear Admiral Sir Robert Woodard KCVO DL, formerly in command of the Royal Yacht, and many others.

Following the Loyal Toast, and a toast to 'Absent Friends', Branch President Commodore Tony Hogg AFC introduced the Guest Speaker, Admiral Sir Michael Layard KCB CBE. During the conflict, Sir Michael had been Senior Naval Officer on Atlantic Conveyor, which was struck by two Exocet missiles, and later sank. His overview of the background, and his graphic account of events leading up to the passage southward, and the subsequent sinking, gave pause for thought, particularly for those who had 'been there', some of whom had been on Atlantic Conveyor.

A significant proportion of those attending had taken part in events in the South Atlantic thirty years ago, and the day provided an opportunity to renew old friendships, forge new ones, and even to reveal previously unknown connections. It was an opportunity to recall half-forgotten or partly suppressed memories. The wife of one Falklands Veteran said to me afterwards that the occasion was cathartic. "It's taken him 30 years to completely come to terms with what happened" she told me.

Photographs of the Event at the War Memorial are by  'Courtesy of the West Briton’ 

Wreaths are laid by Sir Michael Layard (for SAMA82)  and CPO John Campbell, Snr Rates' Mess RNAS Culdrose

Bugler is Bill Bishop from RBL

The War Memorial at Falmouth

The Group with wreath shows Mandy Geary (Ex WO1), husband Martin (ex CPO) both at Culdrose, both Falmouth RNA, CPO Campbell, Nick Martin, who was Flight Deck Officer on Atlantic Conveyor.

The Group photo shows from the left Rear Admiral Sir Robert Woodard KCVO Vice President Falmouth Branch , Shipmate Ron Burdekin Branch Secretary, Councillor Geoffey Evans Mayor of Falmouth, Admiral Sir Michael Layard KCB CBE and Commodore Tony Hogg President of Falmouth Branch.

Admiral Sir Michael Layard KCB CBE addresses shipmates and guests