Falklands War

[Administrator]

The Falklands War (Spanish: Guerra de las Malvinas), also known as the Falklands Conflict, Falklands Crisis, and the Guerra del Atlántico Sur (Spanish for "South Atlantic War"), was a ten-week war between Argentina and the United Kingdom over two British overseas territories in the South Atlantic: the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. It began on Friday, 2 April 1982, when Argentina invaded and occupied the Falkland Islands (and, the following day, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands) in an attempt to establish the sovereignty it had claimed over them. On 5 April, the British government dispatched a naval task force to engage the Argentine Navy and Air Force before making an amphibious assault on the islands. The conflict lasted 74 days and ended with the Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982, returning the islands to British control. In total, 649 Argentine military personnel, 255 British military personnel, and three Falkland Islanders died during the hostilities.

[Administrator]

The FALKLAND ISLANDS MEMORIAL CHAPEL

When the thunder of the guns was finally stilled in and around the Falkland Islands on 14th June 1982, 258 families were left to count the terrible cost. They had lost sons, fathers and husbands in the fierce actions fought at sea, on land, and in the air.

More than half the British casualties died at sea; the majority under fierce enemy attack which sank five ships and damaged eight more, some severely. Most of those killed have no grave but the sea. Others died in the fighting on land; many on dark hillsides in night battles. Yet more were killed while flying over land and sea.

The Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel, located in the south of England has been built in their memory.

Let them never be forgotten.

LINK

[Administrator]

Why the chapel was built in Pangbourne

The family of the past fallen will be coming to this service and they come every year, that is what the chapel is for.

We try and make sure that the memory of the 255 service people who lost their lives in 1982 are properly remembered.

Quite a lot of the senior officers that took part in the task force and the battle for the Falklands in 1982 had actually been to Pangbourne College.

The school did not have a church of its own and wanted one, so two leads came together.

LINK

[Administrator]

Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel (COBSEO)

Situated at Pangbourne College the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel was built in 1998 to commemorate the lives and sacrifice of 255 servicemen and 3 Falkland Islanders who died in the Falklands War in 1982. Thirteen years on its memorial role remains a constant but a pastoral and welfare role has emerged for those bereaved families, veterans and serving personnel who visit on a regular or occasional basis.

There is an annual ecumenical service of remembrance and thanksgiving on the Sunday closest to Falklands Liberation Day, 14 June. This service is always well attended by bereaved families, veterans and other groups and associations all of whom find the occasion moving and a chance to reflect, remember and reunite. The Chapel is regularly visited throughout the year by an increasing number of people. Individuals and groups have availed themselves of the facility, either with or without the involvement of the Chaplain. All have found that the Chapel provides peace, quiet and an ideal place for personal or group reflection and remembrance both for those lost in the South Atlantic or in more recent conflicts.

LINK

[Administrator]

Monument: Falklands War memorial: TOWER HILL

In memory of those merchant seafarers who gave their lives to secure the freedom of the Falkland Islands, 1982.

{The other two plaques carry the names of the 17 Merchant Navy and RFA casualties and their ships.}

The memorial was dedicated on Merchant Navy Day 2005 by the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West GCB DSC ADC.

RFA stands for Royal Fleet Auxiliary which is a civilian-manned fleet, owned by the MOD, which supports Royal Navy ships.

LINK

[Administrator]

The Falklands War Memorial Tower Hill.

In the extreme South-East corner of Trinity Square Gardens is a memorial dedicated to members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Merchant Seamen who lost their lives in the Falklands Campaign. The memorial was commissioned by the Merchant Navy Association and is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission like the other memorials at Tower Hill.

The memorial was dedicated on Merchant Navy Day 4 September 2005 by the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West GCB DSC ADC.

After unveiling the memorial Admiral West paid tribute to the crucial contribution made by the Merchant Navy during the Falklands War which saw the loss of the merchant vessel Atlantic Conveyor as a result of enemy action. He said, "Men and women of the Merchant Navy worked shoulder to shoulder with those of the Royal Navy during the campaign to liberate the Islands, as they did in the two world wars of the last century, and have done so since." Also in attendance at the memorial ceremony were Captain John Sail, Chairman of the Merchant Navy Association, Commodore Bob Thornton RFA and Lt Col Ben Bathurst, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion Welsh Guards. A guard of honour was provided by Royal Naval Reservists from HMS President, along with the Royal Marine Band from CTCRM Lympstone.

LINK