16 NAVY NEWS, JULY 2007
● The strikingly simple memorial to Atlantic Conveyor, unveiled in the Falklands Islands by the Earl
of Wessex, and (above) a personal tribute to CPO Allan McAulay, killed in HMS Ardent. His widow
Barbara and children Tara and Justin laid a wreath on the shore at San Carlos
Separated,
A
T THE heart of
four Joint Force Via a live link with the
Falklands 25
Harriers from RAF Falkland Islands 8,000
commemorations
Cottesmore staged a miles away – and across
flypast, representing five time zones – they
were three the 1982 Harrier watched events
ceremonies as varied in
Squadrons; this in San Carlos
their scope and content
was their key Bay, where the
as they were dispersed in
opportunity Earl of Wessex
to pay homage was attending
location, but bound by a to their a remembrance
common thread.
predecessors as flying regulations ceremony and laying a wreath in
They revolved around
would not allow Harriers to join the military lemetery.
Pangbourne College, Horse
the fly-past over London the The prayers were led in San
Guards Parade and, of course, the
following Sunday. Carlos by the Chaplain of the
islands which gave the war its name
During their briefing and Fleet, the Venerable John Green.
– and its reason.
rehearsal at RAF Cottesmore, the Among the VIPS at the
Pangbourne in Berkshire hosted
pilots were joined by colleagues London end were the Duke of
the first official event – and the sole
from the 1982 campaign, including York, who marched with the
one attended by the monarch – on
former RAF Sea Harrier pilot Fleet Air Arm after the parade,
Liberation Day, June 14.
David Morgan, who flew more Prime Minister; Tony Blair and his
The Queen, the Duke of
than 50 operational sorties and 1982 predecessor Lady Thatcher,
Edinburgh and the Prime Minister
destroyed three Argentine aircraft. Defence Secretary Des Browne
joined families, veterans and other
They were able to compare and senior commanders in the
guests, including Lady Thatcher,
Harriers past and present, as a campaign, including Admiral of the
for a Service of Thanksgiving at the
carefully-preserved 1982 model Fleet Sir Henry Leach – the man
Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel,
was placed next to a present-day who told the politicians Britain
which was opened in 2000.
Harrier GR9. could, and should, fight for the
During the service a stone from
The principal commemoration Falklands.
the Falkland Islands – one of 255
– televised nationwide by the BBC Lady Thatcher was the only VIP
brought back by HMS Chatham – was staged simultaneously in to receive a spontaneous round of
– was blessed. London and the Falklands on applause as she climbed out of her
Afterwards the Queen placed Sunday June 17, when 10,000 official car and onto the podium.
it on the memorial cairn, where Falkland veterans (roughly one The Naval contingent was the
each stone represents the life of third of all those who took part first to march on, and there was a
a Serviceman who died in the in the 1982 campaign) and their rousing cheer as the Band of HM
campaign, following the Scottish families took part in a national Royal Marines in their distinctive
tradition of remembering those service of remembrance and white helmets came through the
who never came home from battle. commemoration, attended by the Arch into Horse Guards Parade.
Chatham brought the rocks Prince of Wales. They were followed by the sailors,
back last year, having chosen them On Horse Guards Parade, the serving and veterans, led by former
from symbolic sites across the assembled audience were able First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Alan
islands, such as San Carlos, Mount to watch pre-recorded film and West, who in 1982 commanded
London, Goose Green, Mount interviews on giant screens, telling the frigate HMS Ardent, lost in
Harriet and Mount Tumbledown. the story of the Falklands campaign the battle of ‘Bomb Alley’ after a
Before the Pangbourne service in words and music. valiant flight.
NNEW 015-017_NN_jul07.indd 2EW 015-017_NN_jul07.indd 2 220/6/07 15:55:370/6/07 15:55:37
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