Falkland Islands Invasion Anniversary

[Simon Bolivar]

Today is the anniversary of the invasion of the Falklands Islands, whilst we remember those on both sides that fell during the conflict, let us have a roll call of those who have survived the 30yrs since to tell their tale. Must be some other guys on here who served retaking the Islands or were involved in someway?

I was on nights working on the wards of the Royal Naval Hospital Haslar in Gosport, when it all blow up. I watched HMS Invincible & Hermes leave Postsmouth & then shortly after was given 48hrs notice, I was to fly to Gibralter to join the SS Uganda; which was being converted into a hospital ship. We sailed South convinced the respective governments would fix this small row by diplomatic means before we got to Ascension. But the Jaw, Jaw, just ended in War, War. We took 770 casualties onboard the Uganda & only lost 3. We also lost 3 crew (including the P&O Captian, who died before we arrived), from natural courses, so I always say we looked after them at least as well as we looked after ourselves.

We had the survivors of the Sheffield & Coventry first, then the Welsh Guard burns victims of the Sir Galahad & Tristrum, including Simon Weston, who was one of my patients.

When it was finally all over (14th June) we converted to a Troop ship, painted out the red crosses, took on the 16th Field Ambulance unit & the 7th Duke of Edinburgh's Gurkha Rifles & sailed for home.

What we saw would stay with us for the rest of our lives & changed us forever. I saw Max Hastings documentry last night & it was very interesting looking at it was some historical prespective. Shame the lesson Blair took away was that the British public appreciated short victorious wars & subsequently took us into Iraq & Afgansitan. Two big differences Mr Blair. The locals wanted to stay under a British protectorate & the aim was straight forward if not logistically simple; retake the islands & hold them. No such desire by the locals or achieveable end game in Iraq or Afganistan.


I will smoke a Belinda Princess today, a small fairly bitter tasting machine made of 15yrs age, I will smoke something sweeter on the 14th June.

[bigbarneyhotdog]

Thanks Simon I work with a few fellows who were there during the conflict. One who was on Sheffield , he has some harrowing stories. Another who was tech for the mighty Harriers. I certainly appreciate all you good chaps did

[Manning]

well done sir

[JOAO LA PEZ]

A well deserved Big Up to all our past and present Warriors for their sacrifices in the upkeep of our democratic freedoms and the fight against Religious fascism.

[Vortigan]

I will smoke a Belinda Princess today, a small fairly bitter tasting machine made of 15yrs age, I will smoke something sweeter on the 14th June.

There is real poignancy in this.I take my hat off to you Sir and all those like you past,present and future.My own,now departed father,served with The Merchant Navy during WWII and I will never forget his personal accounts of similar conflict.I honour you all with reflective thought today.

[Simon-JG-hr]

An excellent and timely post Simon, thank you for sharing your experiences.

I remember being at the Naval College on the 25th Anniversary of the victory, there was a day long series of events to mark the occasion. It was notable as we listened to those who had served in the Conflict that there was a real sense of purpose and conviction in those who travelled thousands of miles to defend the freedom of the Islanders - arguably this was most evident in the late Sir Henry Leach. An interesting note you make regarding Blair's follies: I think this shows itself in the attitude of the servicemen involved in those wars: of course there is purpose and professionalism, you would expect nothing less, but you do not get the sense of a real conviction that the veterans of the Falklands Conflict always seem to exude. (As it is, I support(ed) both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, but do think that the long-term strategic planning was handled horrifically by politicians and their lackies in both cases).

[Simon Bolivar]

Thanks for the comments guys, just for your interest a few snaps:
Uganda entering gib, although a P&O vessel she had uniquely kept her British India Funnel.1982-04-14_01.jpgAfter a refit, inc Heli Deck being put on the stern, & painted in Red Cross colours (although she should have had red bands between the Red Crosses too).1982-04-14_02.jpg:1982-04-14_04.jpgThe main smoking room was stripped out & made into the Intensive care ward. No fancy equipment & ventilating patients was done by hand! The Aft recreation space was turned into Seaview ward, where the orthopaedic cases were treated. Brits & Argentinians were treated side by side as we didn't have the space to seperate them. Worked surprising well considering a few hrs before arriving onboard, they had been trying to kill each other.1982-04-14_03.jpg

[Spoony]

Thanks for sharing your experience. My dad had just left the RAF when the war started and I'm greatful for that because I was only one at the time. Enjoy the cigar on 14th June. It's certainly well deserved. My wife was born out in Argentina and I've been over a few times now and whenever I'm in BA I always take a walk to the Falklands memorial.

[NathanJD]

Thanks for sharing mate. I was in school with a boy whose father fell in the falklands. There was a plaque dedicated to him and his comrades in our school's reception.

Sent directly from my mind

[Simon Bolivar]

Hi Spoony, that's a very interesting story mate, do you have a photo of the B.A. Memorial?

[Flying Cigar]

Very interesting story - thank you Simon for sharing !

I've passed that memorial in Bs As many times as it is located near our crew hotel, the Sheraton ( and ironically across from a replica of a British clocktower that someone tried to blow up later on but failed).

I'll see if I can find a pic for you.

[Flying Cigar]

I found some pics of the Bs As memorial.

You can see the clocktower, it used to be called "the British clocktower", across the memorial, the Sheraton on the right in the last picture.


BS AS 1203 091.jpg BS AS 1203 089.jpg BS AS 1203 093.jpg

[Eddie]

There was a documentary on the military history channel yesterday. It was all about the Falklands medics. SS uganda wasn't featured as such, but was mentioned repeatedly.

[Corto Maltese]

Thank you for the reminder Simon, lest we forget.

[Simon Bolivar]

Cheers for the pic's Nino, nice to see them. Would like to visit B.A. myself some day, see the memorial & try & look up some of my old patients. I had their addresses but thought better of keeping in contact after the war, in case of any possible consequences from the Junta. Thought British mail might cause them a problem, now the addresses are lost.

For those interested, I am posting a new thread Falklands Part 2, with the story of how I met my first Argentine casualties/ prisoners of war.