Falklands War 40th anniversary: PM praises ‘daring and bravery’ of veteranson June 14, 2022 at 3:37 pm

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

“What an incredible thing they achieved,” says Boris Johnson at a service to mark 40 years since the war’s end.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson (centre) looks at names of British personnel who lost their lives in the Falklands War at the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire before a service to mark the 40th anniversary of the liberation of the Falkland Islands.Image source, PA Media

Commemorations have taken place to mark the 40th anniversary of the end of the Falklands War.

Boris Johnson joined veterans, bereaved family members and senior defence figures at a service at Staffordshire’s National Memorial Arboretum.

Mr Johnson praised the “incredible daring and bravery” of Falklands veterans.

Some 255 British troops, 649 Argentine military personnel and three Falkland islanders died during the conflict.

The 10-week war began in April 1982, when troops from Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, a British colony in the south Atlantic ocean.

Argentina said it had inherited the islands from Spain in the 1800s and wanted to reclaim them. The British had ruled the islands for 150 years and sent armed forces by sea to take the islands back. Argentina’s troops surrendered on 14 June.

On Tuesday, veterans, civilians and bereaved family members attended a service hosted by the Royal British Legion at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas to remember the end of the conflict. At the same time a service was held at Port Stanley, the Falklands capital.

Mr Johnson – who laid a wreath at the service – told journalists afterwards: “The first thing is to remember what an incredible thing it was that they achieved back in 1982 to make an opposed landing, to take back territory in the way that they did.

“The incredible daring and bravery of those young men and women. And we salute that – we remember that today.”

He added that the “greatest tribute” to those who had laid down their lives was that the Falklands Islands had since “thrived in peace and freedom”.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson (front row 3rd right) with Veterans, civilians and bereaved family members attend a service to mark the 40th anniversary of the liberation of the Falkland Islands at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire

Image source, PA Media

Military personnel lay wreaths during a service to mark the 40th anniversary of the liberation of the Falkland Islands at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire.

Image source, PA Media

A military band performs at a service to mark the 40th anniversary of the liberation of the Falkland Islands at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire.

Image source, PA Media

Events have also been taking elsewhere in the country, including at Portsmouth and Southampton, where ships departed for the islands, as well wreath-laying services in Dorset.

One survivor of HMS Coventry, which was bombed during the war, shared his memories with the BBC, saying: “I think about it nearly every day and you know it is part of my life and it is part of this nation’s heritage.”

“I remember my lost friends every year and sadly there is additions because we are all getting older,” said Mick Kerry, from Warwickshire, who was a 21-year-old marine engineer on the Royal Navy destroyer when it was bombed.

Mick Kerry

Image source, Mick Kerry

Falklands/Stills from parade at Invicta Barracks Maidstone./644739/525

Image source, BBC/Sara Smith

Elsewhere, a woman who was born in the Falkland Islands three months before the war has been telling the BBC how she became a soldier to repay a debt of gratitude she felt towards the soldiers who fought in the conflict.

Sara Halford, who joined the British Army aged 17 and serves with 16 Medical Regiment in Colchester, said islanders would be “forever grateful”.

Meanwhile, a collection of portraits of seven veterans from across Scotland have been revealed as part of a virtual exhibition by Glasgow photographer Wattie Cheung.

On Saturday, a national remembrance parade and service will be held in Edinburgh, where hundreds of current and former servicemen and women are expected to take part.

This video can not be played

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

On Sunday, members of the Tumbledown Veterans and Families Association marched to the cenotaph on Blackpool promenade. Nine men died at the Battle of Mount Tumbledown, overlooking Port Stanley, in the final days of the conflict.

Around the BBC - Sounds
Around the BBC footer - Sounds
- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Elle Edwards: Shooting victim’s family urge people to live with hopeon January 25, 2023 at 1:42 pm

Mourners gather to pay their respects to the 26-year-old beautician who was shot in a Merseyside pub.Image source, Family handoutThe funeral of a woman...

Giro d’Italia: France’s Arnaud Demare wins thrilling sprint finish to take stage fiveon May 11, 2022 at 3:19 pm

Mark Cavendish falls away as France's Arnaud Demare wins stage five of the Giro d'Italia in a thrilling sprint finish.

Mesothelioma Attorney

A mesothelioma attorney can provide legal counsel to victims of this disease. The attorney may be called in to represent a victim, defend a...

Alleged US fugitive has tattoos photographed to establish identityon October 6, 2022 at 3:19 pm

The 35-year-old denies he is Nicholas Rossi who is accused of raping a woman in Utah in 2008.Image source, PA MediaAn alleged fugitive facing...

Badger and fox share Essex garden midnight snackon May 31, 2022 at 3:08 pm

"I think the badgers allow the foxes the privilege of a few biscuits," says wildlife fan Nigel Cornwell.