The veteran Issue 6

March 2022 - May 2022 Issue 6
The
Veteran
Alicante
The Quarterly Magazine of The Alicante Branch
of The Royal British Legion
Queen's Platinum
Jubilee
1952 - 2022
40th anniversary
of the liberation
of the Falkland
Islands

TABLE OF
CONTENTS
3 Introduction, Hamish McConnachie Branch Webmaster
and Publicity Member.
5 The South Atlantic Medal
7 'Least we Forget, Falklands 40
12 The Queen's Platinum Jubilee
15 'We Served' HMS Hermes
18 Alicante Branch News
22 'We Served' 4 Fd Regiment Royal Artillery
29 Alicante Branch Meetings
32 The Video Page
33 Military awards and decorations, Distinguished Service Order
34 Forecast of Events
35 Military Humour
37 Poets Corner,Jim 'Jock' Love
2
Contact us
John pratt - Alicante Branch Chairman
Ed Morris - Vice Chairman, Recruiting &
Retention
Janet Brickhill - Branch Community
Support
Hamish McConnachie - Web Master &
Publicity
Alicante.Chairman@rbl.community
Alicante.Vicechairman@rbl.community
Alicante.BCS@rbl.community
Alicante.Web@rbl.community
2

Hamish McConnachie
Alicante Branch
Webmaster & Publicity
Member
It was decided when we first published the ‘Veteran’ that
each Committee member would take a turn at writing a
few words as an introduction. The idea was that Committee
Members could introduce themselves and give a brief
description of their past and indeed their current Committee
Role. It seems that for issue six of the ‘Veteran’ that task
now falls to me.
I was born and educated in Inverness attending the
Merkinch Primary and the Inverness High Secondary
school. At the age of thirteen I joined the Queen’s Own
Cameron Highlander cadets and decided that the military
was going to be the life for me
I joined the Army as a Junior Soldier at the age of fifteen in 1970 and was posted to the
Junior Infantry Battalion at Shorncliffe in Kent. Having completed just over two years as a
Junior I joined my Regiment, The Queens Own Highlanders (Seaforth & Camerons) in
Germany. I remained with my Regiment for nearly 24 years (23 years 300 days) Serving
in Northern Ireland, Belize, Kenya, Falklands and Hong Kong to name a but few of the
locations. I was also posted to the School of Infantry at Warminster as an instructor and
to the 3rd Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment in Ballykinler as a Permanent Staff
Instructor.
On leaving the Regular Army I was employed with Scottish Water in IT and annual
reporting to the water regulator in Scotland (The Water Industry Commission for
Scotland) before being head hunted by Network Rail where I was employed as a
Maintenance Planner.
On leaving the Regular Army I also joined the Territorial Army and served in the 3rd
Battalion The Highlanders, 52nd Lowland Volunteers (Royal Scots) 51st Highland
Regiment and The 7th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland for fifteen years
making a total of 39 years in uniform.
I joined Legion Scotland in 2008 where I did a short spell as Recruitment and Retention
member before moving to Spain in 2013 where I joined the Torrevieja Branch of the
Royal British Legion. I transferred to the Alicante Branch three years ago where shortly
after I took up the post of Webmaster tasked with getting the Branch Website up and
running. Shortly after this I was asked to take on the role of Publicity Member. 3

I am proud to
be a Member
of The
Alicante
Branch of the
Royal British
As Webmaster my main role is maintaining and
updating the Branch Website while my role as
Publicity revolves round keeping the Branch in the
public eye. This has been done by introducing this
Magazine, ‘The Veteran’ to both Members and Non
Members within the local Alicante area and beyond,
we currently have a readership of 1000+ per issue. I
have also been heavily involved in producing
articles for the Mellow Magazine a local magazine
for the Alicante area which unfortunately stopped
publishing in March of this year. I also provide
articles for the Legion Overseas Newsletter, the
District North Spain magazine and have had photos
published in the National Newsletter and ‘The
Legion’ our national magazine. I have also taken
over the Branch Facebook page on a temporary
basis.
Although I enjoy all my work with the Royal British
Legion and certainly being the editor of this
Legion
magazine gives me great satisfaction I believe that
my greatest achievement was heading the team
that succeeded in erecting our Memorial in Castalla
International to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of
the Royal British Legion. The Memorial gives the
Branch and local community members a focal point
for Remembrance Services and quiet
contemplation.
This year we will see services for the Falklands 40, the 40th anniversary of the liberation
of the Falkland Islands as well as Remembrance Sunday.
Finally I must thank all Branch Members and Members of the Community who have given
input to the Branch website and the various publications that the Branch has been involved
in.
'Service Not Self '
4

Military awards, medals and decorations of the United Kingdom
South
Atlantic
Medal
The South Atlantic Medal is a British campaign medal awarded to British military
personnel and civilians for service in the Falklands War of 1982 between the
United Kingdom and Argentina. Over 33,000 medals have been awarded.
The medal with rosette was awarded for one day's service within 35° and 60° South
latitude or for at least one operational sortie south of Ascension Island, between 2
April and 14 June 1982 (2 April being the date of the Argentine invasion, 14 June
being the date of Argentine surrender). This, generally, denoted service in the
combat zone.
The medal without rosette was awarded for 30 days continuous or accumulated
service between 7° and 60° South latitude between 2 April and 14 June 1982
(completing no later than 12 July 1982). As a result of the 2012 Independent
Medal Review the qualifying period for the medal without rosette was extended to
21 October 1982.
Those mentioned in despatches during the campaign wear a bronze oak leaf on the
medal ribbon.
Service qualifying for the South Atlantic Medal does not count towards the period
required to receive the Accumulated Campaign Service Medal.
Ribbon bars of the medal with and without rosette
5

Alicante Branch Holders
of the
South Atlantic Medal
Hamish McConnachie, Jim Love, Jack Kemp and Ed Morris
Jim Love
Branch Member
Jack Kemp 4 Fd Regt RA
Branch President
Ed Morris HMS Hermes
Branch Vice Chairman
Hamish McConnachie
Queens Own Highlanders
Branch Webmaster & Publicity
Not Pictured
Steve Norris
John Compton
Hamish McConnachie (Middle row 5th from left) Black Hill House West Falkland
6

On the 40th anniversary of the
Falklands War, join us at the
Garden of Remembrance in Castalla
International as we remember all
those impacted by the conflict.
All members of the Community are invited to attend on Tuesday
14th of June at 12:00
Liberation Day
On 2 April 1982, Argentine forces invaded
and occupied the Falkland Islands. Following
several weeks of intense fighting, Argentine
forces surrendered on 14 June 1982.
The Alicante Branch of the Royal British
Legion will mark the 40th anniversary of the
liberation of the Falkland Islands by holding
a Remembrance Service in honour of all men
and women who took part in the conflict. All
are welcome to attend
7

The Falklands
War 2 April to 14 June 1982
TThe Falkland Islands—an archipelago in the
South Atlantic located 8,000 miles away
from the British Isles was one of the U.K.’s
more obscure overseas territories, home to a
community of just 1,800 people, the majority of
whom were of British descent.
Britain’s presence in the Falklands dates back to
1690, when Navy Captain John Strong made the
first recorded landing on the unpopulated islands.
The British started a settlement on the
archipelago in the mid-18th century but
abandoned it around a decade later, leaving the
area under Spanish control. The newly
independent Argentina arrived on the scene in
1820 and promptly laid claim to the Falklands,
arguing that it had inherited the islands from the
Spanish crown earlier that century. British troops
returned to the Falklands in 1833, expelling its
Argentinian officials and reasserting the U.K.’s
claim to the islands. Britain established the
Falklands as an official colony.
The Falklands became increasingly
important for Argentina in the year
leading up to the war. Based on the
information collected in the Falklands
Census of 1980, the islands were
inhabited by just 1,813 people, with some
members of 42 Royal Marines stationed
at Moody Brook Barracks. Nearly all
(1,723) of those people held British
nationality and just 30 were Argentine
nationals.
In 1981, a referendum saw the population
vote in favour of remaining under British
sovereignty.
However, during the very same year,
Argentina was facing a very tough
economic and civil situation.
8

Less than six months before the conflict started,
the Argentine military regime changed and a
new junta took charge.
As civil unrest and dislike for the military
dictatorship grew in Argentina, the junta
attempted to shift the public's interest from
national issues to a war.
The junta supported claims that the islands held
ties with the South American country, but the
ultimate goal was most likely to spur a nationalist
sentiment across Argentina and for the military
regime to gain both popularity and greater
influence over the South Atlantic region.
The ongoing tension between the two countries
over the islands increased on 19 March, when a
group of Argentine scrap metal merchants which
had been infiltrated by Argentine Marines raised
the Argentine flag at South Georgia Island, an
act that would later be seen as the first offensive
action in the war. The Royal Navy ice patrol
vessel HMS Endurance was dispatched from
Stanley to South Georgia on the 25th in
response. The Argentine military junta,
suspecting that the UK would reinforce its South
Atlantic Forces, ordered the invasion of the
Falkland Islands.
On 2 April, Argentine forces invaded the
Falkland Islands.
Meanwhile, on 29 March the British Government
had already dispatched three vessels from
Europe to the South Atlantic in response to what
was happening in South Georgia.
Following the invasion of the Falklands, the UK
formed a task force aimed at retaking control of
the islands as part of Operation Corporate.
The task force was made up of vessels that
were ready to be deployed at the time, including
nuclear-powered submarine HMS Conqueror,
aircraft carriers HMS Invincible and HMS
Hermes. The British Forces also requisitioned
vessels that were not necessarily used for
military operations like ocean liners SS Canberra
and Queen Elizabeth 2. By the time the whole
task force was put together, the Armed Forces
had 127 ships in total – 62 of which were
merchant ships.
The Flag of the Falkland Islands
While preparations were in full swing in
the UK, the Royal Air Force set up an
airbase on Ascension Island, where
bombers, fighters and refuelling aircraft
were sent to protect the naval task force
that would arrive on its way to the
Falklands.
RAF Vulcan bombers played a significant
part in the Falklands War. The V-
Bombers performed a series of missions
from Ascension Island to the Falklands
between 30 April and 12 June 1982,
specifically targeting first the runway at
Port Stanley Airport and later Argentinian
anti-aircraft radars.
RAF Vulcan Bomber
Several vessels were lost by both sides,
most notably Argentine cruiser General
Belgrano and British destroyer HMS
Sheffield.
Airpower was also weakened on both
sides, but Argentina suffered the loss of
what was estimated to be 20% to 30% of
their aircraft.
9

HMS Sheffield 28 May 1982. Twenty lives were
lost in a strike by an exocet missile.
On 21 May, British forces were able to land on
the Falklands. Contrary to what had been
expected by Argentinian military officials, the
amphibious operation took place in the east of
the islands, avoiding the capital Stanley, where
the Argentine forces had planned their major
resistance points.
During the night of 21 May, the British
Amphibious Task Group mounted Operation
Sutton, the amphibious landing on beaches
around San Carlos Water, on the northwestern
coast of East Falkland facing onto
Falkland Sound. The bay, known as Bomb
Alley by British forces, was the scene of
repeated air attacks by low-flying Argentine
jets.
The 4,000 men of 3 Commando Brigade were
put ashore as well as units from the Royal
Artillery and Royal Engineers. Armoured
reconnaissance vehicles were also put ashore
along with Rapier missile launchers. By dawn
the next day, they had established a secure
beachhead from which to conduct offensive
operations. From there, Brigadier Julian
Thompson's plan was to capture Darwin and
Goose Green before turning towards Port
Stanley.
Hard fighting continued until British forces were
able to surround the capital of Stanley and the
main port. On the night of 11 June, after
several days of painstaking reconnaissance
and logistic build-up.
British forces launched a brigade-sized
night attack against the heavily defended
ring of high ground surrounding Stanley.
Units of 3 Commando Brigade, supported
by naval gunfire from several Royal Navy
ships, simultaneously attacked in the Battle
of Mount Harriet, Battle of Two Sisters, and
Battle of Mount Longdon. Mount Harriet
was taken at a cost of 2 British and 18
Argentine soldiers. At Two Sisters, the
British faced both enemy resistance and
friendly fire, but managed to capture their
objectives. The toughest battle was at
Mount Longdon. British forces were bogged
down by rifle, mortar, machine gun, artillery
and sniper fire, and ambushes. Despite
this, the British continued their advance.
3 Para medics attending to a wounded
Argentine soldier, Mount Longdon, 1982
The second phase of attacks began on the
night of 13 June, and the momentum of
the initial assault was maintained. 2 Para,
with light armour support from the Blues
and Royals, captured Wireless Ridge, with
the loss of 3 British and 25 Argentine lives,
and the 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards
captured Mount Tumbledown the Battle of
Mount Tumbledown cost 10 British and 30
Argentine lives. A simultaneous special
forces raid by the SAS and SBS in fast
boats to attack the oil tanks in Stanley
Harbour was beaten off by anti-aircraft
guns.
10

A daylight attack on Mount William by the
Gurkhas, delayed from the previous night by
the fighting at Tumbledown, ended in
anticlimax when the Argentinian positions
were found to be deserted.
Following the capture of Stanley, further
operations were launched to take the
surrender of other Argentine troops on West
Falkland. Royal Marines from HMS
'Endurance' also cleared the enemy from
the South Sandwich Islands and Southern
Thule.
A total of 255 British servicemen and three
female civilians were killed liberating the
Falklands. 649 Argentines had been killed.
Repatriating Argentine prisoners of war
(POWs) was a long process. Some 5,000
prisoners were embarked on 'Canberra' and
1,000 on 'Norland' on 17 June. By 20 June,
10,250 prisoners had been repatriated.
Men from 7th Duke of Edinburgh's Own Gurkha
Rifles (7GR) make time for a brew
On 14 June 1982, Argentina surrendered,
officially marking the end of the 10-week
undeclared war.
A total of 907 people lost their lives during the
10-week Falklands War – 255 of them were
British, 649 Argentinian and three were
Falkland Islanders killed by friendly fire.
Several people were also wounded, including
775 Brits and 1,657 Argentinians.
Argentinians surrendering their weapons at
Port Stanley, 1982
Memorial to
the fallen.
port Stanley
Major General Moore the Commander of Land
Forces gave the Royal Marine Commandos the
honour of replacing the Argentine flag with the
original Union Jack at Government House, June
1982
'Least we Forget' 11

Alicante Branch
and the
local Community
celebrate the
Queen's Platinum
Jubilee
2nd of June 2022.
As I look ahead with a sense of hope and
optimism to the year of my Platinum Jubilee, I am
reminded of how much we can be thankful for.
These last seven decades have seen extraordinary
progress socially, technologically and culturally that
have benefitted us all; and I am confident that the
future will offer similar opportunities to us and
especially to the younger generations in the United
Kingdom and throughout the Commonwealth.
Queen Elizabeth II, 2022
The Queen has ruled for longer than any other Monarch in British history, becoming a
much loved and respected figure across the globe. Her extraordinary reign has seen her
travel more widely than any other monarch, undertaking many historic overseas visits.
Known for her sense of duty and her devotion to a life of service, she has been an
important figurehead for the UK and the Commonwealth during times of enormous social
change. The year 2022 sees Her Majesty The Queen become the first British Monarch to
celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne.
The Alicante Branch of the Royal British Legion held a celebratory afternoon tea for
Branch Members and Members of the local Community on the occasion of the Queen's
Platinum Jubilee
12

Branch Chairman John Pratt gave a short
speech before giving the Royal Toast
Over 60 Branch and
Community members
gathered together to
celebrate the Queen's
Platinum Anniversary in
style. The afternoon
raised the sum of 215
Euros for the 2022
Poppy Appeal
13

A further 65 Euros
was raised by Branch
Members Les and Issy
A total of 280
Euros raised
for the 2022
Poppy Appeal
on the day
14

'We Served'
Ed Morris
Alicante Branch Vice Chairman
Fleet Air Arm
1962 - 1986
HMS
HERMES
HMS Hermes was a conventional British
aircraft carrier and the last of the Centaur
class. Hermes was in service with the
Royal Navy from 1959 until 1984, and she
served as the flagship of the British forces
during the 1982 Falklands War.
The ship was laid down by Vickers-Armstrong at
Barrow-in-Furness during World War II as HMS
Elephant. Construction was suspended in 1945
but work was resumed in 1952 to clear the
slipway and the hull was launched on 16
February 1953. The vessel remained unfinished
until 1957, when she entered service on 18
November 1959 as HMS Hermes after extensive
modifications which included installation of a
massive Type 984 'searchlight' 3D radar, a fully
angled deck with a deck-edge elevator, and
steam catapults.
Hermes initially operated Supermarine Scimitar,
de Havilland Sea Vixen, and Fairey Gannet
fixed-wing aircraft, together with Westland
Whirlwind helicopters.
Proposed transfer to Australia:
A 1966 review indicated that Hermes was
surplus to operational requirements and she
was offered to the Royal Australian Navy
(RAN) as a replacement for HMAS
Melbourne. In 1968, Hermes took part in a
combined exercise with the RAN, during
which the carrier was visited by senior RAN
officers and Australian government officials,
while RAN A-4G Skyhawks and Grumman S-2
Trackers practised landings on the larger
carrier. The offer was turned down due to
operating and manpower costs.
15

Ed Morris HMS Raleigh (Front row, Left) aged 16
Proposed international fleet:
Hermes served as one of four Royal Navy
strike carriers mainly in the Indian Ocean
area until 1970. She could have seen action
against the Egyptians when Egypt closed off
the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping in May
1967 when the UK and US contemplated
forming an international fleet to open the
straits with force if necessary, but the idea
never materialised.
(after some of the helicopters were
dispersed to other ships) as well as a troop
of Special Air Service (SAS) and Royal
Marines. As she was the RN's largest
carrier, she was considered too valuable to
risk close into the Falklands, due to the
possibility of Argentine air force attacks. Her
Harriers therefore operated at the limit of
their endurance radius, but were very
successful in keeping the enemy aircraft at
bay.
Falklands War:
Hermes was due to be decommissioned in
1982 after a 1981 defence review (that would
have made the Royal Navy considerably
smaller) by the British government, but when
the Falklands War broke out, she was made
the flagship of the British forces, setting sail
for the South Atlantic just three days after the
Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands.
She sailed for the Falklands with an airgroup
of 12 Sea Harrier FRS1 attack aircraft of the
Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, and 18 Sea King
helicopters. A few weeks after sailing, more
aircraft were flown or transported via other
ships to replace some losses and augment
the task force. Hermes's airgroup grew to 16
Sea Harriers, 10 Hawker Siddeley Harrier
GR3s of the Royal Air Force, and 10 Sea
Kings
Sea Harrier FRS Mk1
Air group at the height of the Falklands Conflict:
16 Sea Harrier FRS.1 Fighters
10 Sea King HAS. Helicopters
No. 1 Squadron RAF - 10 Harrier GR.3
After the Falklands War:
After her return home from the Falklands
conflict Hermes entered into a much
needed 4-month refit to her propulsion and
electrical systems, as well as a thorough
cleaning and repainting. When this was
completed in November 1982, she
embarked stores and performed work-ups
exercises. She then took part in NATO
exercises in the North Atlantic, and the
Mediterranean Sea as a commando carrier
16

In the autumn of 1983 she took part in her
last exercise, Ocean Safari, where she
reverted to a strike carrier role, embarking 12
Sea Harriers, 10 RAF Harrier GR.3s and 10
Sea Kings. After this exercise she returned to
the UK for a minor refit and into maintained
reserve in February 1984.
In 1983, when the proposed sale of the
aircraft carrier Invincible to the Royal
Australian Navy was cancelled following
the Falklands War, an offer was made to
sell Hermes and a squadron of Sea
Harriers to Australia. However the new
Hawke Government decided against
purchasing a replacement for HMAS
Melbourne.
Hermes served with the Royal Navy
until 12 April 1984. She was paid off in
1985.
Viraat:
In April 1986 Hermes was towed from
Portsmouth Dockyard to Devonport
Dockyard to be refitted, re activated and
sold to India, decommissioning and
sailing as INS Viraat (R 22) in 1987.
Left HMS Hermes
Ed Morris
(Centre Right) on
HMS Blake 1975
17

Two
Birthdays a
Wedding a Birth
and a
Handshake
Happy
Birthday
Not happy with just getting
Married on their road trip
Les and Izzy celebrated their
Joint 75th birthdays in Mojacar.
The couple were joined by
friends including fellow Branch
Members Les and Denise Dewson
and Hamish and Sue McConnachie.
Les & Izzy Tie The Knot
Branch Members Les Hughes and Isobel
Strange were married at the Registrar's
Office in Gibraltar.
Long time partners Les and Izzy
finally tied the knot on the 30th
March in Gibraltar at a private
ceremony whilst on a road trip in
Southern Spain.
The Branch would like to congratulate
the happy couple and wish them all the
best for their future together.
18

Congratulations
to Ed & Sue
Great Grand
Parents
The 7th generation Edward Poole Morris but his first
name is Elija, so it's Elijah Edward Poole Morris. Born
29th March 2022 weighing in at a healthy 8lb 2oz.
Our congratulations to Ed and Sue Morris on
becoming Great Grand Parents to such a beautiful boy.
Bob Becomes a Buff
Branch Members, Ed and Sue
Morris with Great Grandson
Elija
Alicante Branch member Bob Routledge was initiated in
to the Patience Lodge of the Royal Antediluvian Order of
Buffaloes in Torrevieja on the 1st of May. The ceremony
was carried out by fellow branch member Hamish
McConnachie. The RAOB although not a military charity
has always had close relations with the military and
veterans with many military lodges still in existence. The
Patience Lodge along with other lodges in the area
recently donated over 3000 euros in support of the
Ukrainian Appeal. The lodge also support the Torrevieja
Branch with a annual donation to their Poppy Appeal and
by laying a wreath at the memorial in El Chaparral.
Bob Routledge with Hamish
McConnachie
19

The McCrae Shield is
awarded to one of the
Overseas Branches that
during the year has
demonstrated and
achieved the most progress
and has also increased its
Branch membership, and
is of a high standard of
efficiency as determined by
The Royal British Legion
Membership Council.
Haig Cup – National
award for a branch
with over 50 members
which during the
previous year has
made the most
progress and is of
high standard and
efficiency.
National Awards for
Alicante Branch and
Spain District North
On May 15th the National Awards Ceremony took place at The Royal British
Legion National Conference.
Branch Chairman Mr John Pratt who was at the conference learned first
hand that the Alicante Branch were the Winners of the McCrae Shield for
the third year in succession and also the prestigious Haig Cup for the
second year in succession.
The McCrae Shield was collected by Alicante Branch Chairman John Pratt,
and the Haig Cup by Jack Kemp the previous Branch Chairman.
A further award was collected by Pam Twissell-Cross MBE on behalf of
MABS Cancer Support Foundation.
MABS - Cancer Support Foundation were awarded the Knox Shield, in
recognition of its inspirational work supporting those, including veterans,
dealing with cancer.
The District Chairman stated that "at District we should all be very proud that
MABS and Alicante Branch have been recognised in The Royal British Legion
National Awards for 2022. Well done and many congratulations".
20

New Branch
Community
Support Member
The Branch Chairman
and members of the
Branch Committee would
like to welcome Janet to
the team.
Janet Brickhill
Alicante.BCS@rbl.community
The Alicante Branch have Caseworkers, Hospital & Housebound visitors and
Telephone Buddies supporting our Beneficiaries here in Spain.
Many people still don’t know that The Royal British Legion is here and is active and
ready to offer help and support to any beneficiary who qualifies for help.
Each case is dealt with in full confidentiality on an individual needs’ basis by the
relevantly trained people, and in most cases, we can offer some help or support, if we
can’t help at Branch level then we have fantastic support from District who will either
assist or signpost you to another source of support.
If we can’t help we will assess & consider requests for help for qualifying beneficiaries
or family members, this does not always mean a financial payment, it could be
guidance in where to get information or how to access social services.
We are often asked about things such as how do we get a Blue badge, home help,
meals on wheels etc and we can guide people to where they need to go.
The Legion often have liaison between the beneficiary and their Regiment, Ship or Unit
when help is delivered. This can be as simple as safety features in a bathroom, or a
mobility scooter, a red button alarm in the home for peace of mind, a walking frame or
other equipment, the list of things requested and supplied are endless.
If you think you may need help, then please contact Janet Brickhill using the details
above. If you think someone you know may have served and needs some support
encourage them to contact us as we cannot contact anyone directly without their
permission, and we cannot discuss anyone’s Individual circumstances with a third party
until we have their express permission to do so.
21

'We Served'
A Personal
Account Part 3
By
Jack Kemp
The Falklands War
Part lll
The Royal Regiment of Artillery – Why?
Gunners have always
known that gunnery wins
battles, and the Falklands
campaign was no exception.
The destruction of
Argentine morale that
found themselves
experiencing the force of
105mm howitzers firing in
very close support, with
high explosive rounds
landing (at night) 50 meters
in front of our advancing
troops. This was something
that few would have ever
experienced before.
Within 6 months of married life came the breaking
news, on the 2 April 1982 in an act of unprovoked
aggression which shocked the world. Argentina
invaded the Falkland Islands. The small garrison of
Royal Marines, assisted by a survey party from HMS
ENDURANCE then working on the Islands, put up a
short resistance, but the odds against them were
overwhelming and after some four hours of fighting the
Governor and Commander-in-Chief, Mr (Sir) Rex Hunt,
ordered them to surrender to prevent casualties. South
Georgia, after another spirited resistance by a
detachment of 20 Royal Marines put ashore by HMS
ENDURANCE, was also occupied by Argentine forces
the next day.
The Falkland Islands are British sovereign territory and
the inhabitants, the vast majority of whom are of British
descent, enjoyed democratic institutions and wished to
preserve their links to Britain. The Argentine invasion
threatened to destroy their freedom and their way of life.
On the morning of 3 April, the Prime Minister
announced that the Government had decided to send a
Task Force to the South Atlantic. The same day, the
United Nations Security Council passed a mandatory
Resolution calling for the immediate withdrawal of
Argentine forces from the Islands.
However, despite every effort in the weeks that
followed, the Government failed to achieve a diplomatic
settlement to the crisis, it became clear that Argentina
would not agree to withdraw its forces unless it was
forced to do so. Britain therefore looked to the Task
Force to liberate the Falkland Islands and their
dependencies. 22

Britain therefore looked to the Task Force to liberate the Falkland Islands and their dependencies.
All members of the Task Force responded magnificently to this challenge. What follows was my
recollection of Operation CORPORATE, the Operation to recover the Falkland Islands.
Key Dates:
2 April Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands
5 April First elements of the Task Force sailed from UK
16 April Task Force leaves Ascension for the Falklands
17 April 29 (Corunna) Field Battery recalled from leave
25 April South Georgia taken by British Forces
12 May 5 Infantry Brigade sailed from UK
15 May Raid on Pebble Island, West Falkland
21 May Landings in San Carlos Water, East Falkland
29 May Darwin and Goose Green taken
30 May Mt Kent, Douglas Settlement and Teal Inlet taken
4 June Fitzroy and Bluff Cove taken
9 June British forces firmly established within 10 miles of Port Stanley
11/12 June Mt Longdon, Two Sisters, Mt Harriet and Goat Ridge taken
13/14 June Tumbledown Mountain and Mt William taken.
14 June At dawn white flags flying over Stanley and Formal surrender of all Argentine forces
18 June Argentine POWs moved to the MV Norland and SS Canberra, 29 (Corunna) Field
Battery’s new roll as POW handling.
3/4 July Flight back to RAF Brize Norton
So, as you can see from the above date the
time from invasion to elements of 4th Field
Regiment leaving
Aldershot was very short, no sooner had the
Falklands been invaded the Battery were
recalled from leave on 17 April, a busy week
then ensued with outstanding stores being
delivered, arctic clothing ordered, the new
CLANSMAN communication equipment
issued, small arms zeroed and the vehicles
and 105mm Light Guns being embarked on
the MS EUROPIC FERRY at Southampton.
Then we had to wait for confirmation on which
ship we would sail on, it was decided that 29
(Corunna) Field Battery would sail on the MV
Norland, The Norland was a P&O roll-on/rolloff
ferry operating between Kingston upon Hull
in Yorkshire, UK, and Rotterdam Europort,
Netherlands, and then Zeebrugge. Once that
was decided we just needed the deployment
date, this was a massive strain on the families,
I can remember it well, on three separate
occasions I left our flat in Aldershot.
saying goodbye, only to return on two
occasions as the date was delayed, on the
morning of 26 April I said farewell to Mary
again, followed by no doubt I will see you in
a couple of hours for another delay, this
time we reported and left, third time lucky
we set sail along with the 2nd Battalion,
Parachute Regiment who we would be
providing fire support with the Lt Gun. The
Battery Commander (BC) had flown direct
to Ascension Island on 22 April as part of 2
PARA Battle Group.
The Task Force itself comprised of more
than 100 ships and over 28,000 men and
women, including 3 Commando Brigade,
reinforced by 2 PARA and 3 PARA of 5
Infantry Brigade.
After a short settling in period on ship the
Battery started on a period of training, daily
routine on the Norland, up 05:30, 06:30
physical training which normally involved
running around the decks of the Norland.

The British Army Task Force:
The Blues and Royals
Royal Regiment of Artillery
The Corps of Royal Engineers
Royal Corps of Signals
2nd Battalion Scots Guards
1st Battalion Welsh Guards
2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment
3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment
1/7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles
Special Air Service Regiment
Army Air Corps
Royal Army Chaplain’s Department
Royal Corps of Transport
Army Medical Services
Royal Army Ordnance Corps
Corps of Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers
Corps of Royal Military Police
Army Catering Corps
Women’s Royal Army Corps
After PT we completed skills training
comprising of weapon training, Command
Post Exercises (CPXs) for the signallers
amongst us included myself which included
learning Morse Code, the thought of
completing Fire Missions in Morse Code was
not a pleasant one, thankfully although the
training continued during the 4 week sailing
down south, we never had to put our new
Morse Code skills into use as the new
CLANSMAN radios and normal voice
communications worked well, additional
training included, survival, recognition,
prisoner handling, First Aid. Post skills
training we had more skill at arms training,
weapon training, this also included small arms
firing of the ship and also General Purpose
Machine Gun (GPMG) firing, Carl Gustaf 84
training.
One of the other not so pleasant tasks was to
send our last letter home and place it with our
personal belongings,
Jack (Rear) as No 2 on the 84mm Carl Gustaf
as part of our pre conflict preparation we
had to leave all personal belongings
behind with our kit that was not required
for the conflict,
photographs, letters, rings, the letter was
the hardest as you can imagine having
only married six months prior to sending a
letter to Mary starting with if you are
reading this letter I’m sorry but I will not be
coming home.
Corunna Bty on board the MV Norland
The majority of us thought that the
Argentine Forces would withdraw, but as
history now tells this was not the case.
The task force headed for Ascension
Island, a British territory in the mid-Atlantic
3,700 nautical miles (4,300 mi) from the
UK and 3,300 nautical miles (3,800 mi)
from the Falkland Islands. So, from
Portsmouth to Falkland Islands 8,100
nautical miles, four weeks sailing time with
a quick stop for replenishments at
Ascension Islands.
24

As we moved closer to the Falkland Islands it
became obvious from our training routine that
diplomatic talks were not going to work, and
the Conflict against Argentine forces was
inevitable.
The Task Force arrived at Ascension Island,
soon after dawn on the 7 May. During the
short stop at Ascension the Battery flew half
the Guns ashore and back again from the
Europic Ferry onto the airfield together with
Gun Detachments from the Norland. At the
same time the Battalion practised embarking
in landing craft through the side door of the
Norland. The voyage south from Ascension
became busier the further south we went with
the fleet increasing in size as groups of
vessels joined us.
MV Norland San Carlos Water
On the 17 May detailed Orders were given for
the landings on the Falkland Islands. The
Orders confirmed that the Brigade would land
at SAN CARLOS, final preparations were put
in hand. Air attacks from the Argentine Air
Force were expected, so we were at Defence
Stations, in full fighting order ready to deploy.
Thankfully the weather conditions, gales and
poor visibility prevented the Argentines from
mounting any air attacks.
The landings on the Falklands took place
during the night of 21 May 1982, following
diversionary operations including raids by
Special Forces. Under the cover of
darkness, we sailed into San Carlos Water on
the northwest coast of East Falkland. The
poor weather conditions from the previous
day had passed.
As we sailed into the exclusion zone, the
sea was calm and the sky clear with an
incredibly bright array of stars. The night
was lit up by our warships shelling
Argentine positions and the noise was very
impressive and re-assuring. We awaited
our helicopter insertion, holding and Recce
troops first, followed by the remainder with
the Guns and the Command Vehicles
leaving the St Edmund at the same time as
the troops from the MV Norland.
The Guns had an
eventful fly-in to an
excellent Gun
Position beside Head
of the Bay House at
the southern end of
San Carlos water.
Mirage enemy
aircraft appeared at
about this time and
the helicopter fly-off
went awry as a
result. However by
mid-afternoon the Chinook helicopter with 3/4
guns were
ton Landrover and Trailer
established.
thankfully the landings were unopposed,
and 29 (Corunna) Field Battery were
established at their first Gun Position in
support of
2 Para ready for the first Fire Mission,
priority was for the outload of 105 Lt Gun
Ammunition and by the end of day one our
Gun Position was fully equipped with
enough ammunition (2,000 105mm rounds)
for the start of the conflict.
Chinook with
105 Lt Gun
underslung
25

For the next five days we witnessed the air
attacks on the fleet in San Carlos Waters by the
Argentine Air Force which started on 21 May,
the Battle of San Carlos ("Bomb Alley") began
once the Argentine Air Force attacked a
detachment of British ships involved in the
landing in the San Carlos Water.
The Argentine Air Force sank three British
ships (HMS Coventry, a Type 42 destroyer, and
two frigates, HMS Antelope and HMS Ardent).
Argentine Air Force Mirage 5A Dagger Fighter
The bow and stern sections of HMS
Antelope float above the surface in San
Carlos Water after the ship began to
sink on the 24th May 1982 during the
Battle of San Carlos. Two bombs were
dropped on HMS Antelope by
Argintine aircraft, flying at extremely
low level, on 23 May. The bombs which
did not explode , lodged in the engine
roomof the ship. One detonated while it
was being defused. The explosion
ripped through the ship,which later
broke in half and sank.
All of this could be seen from our Gun Position at Head of the Bay House, with the enemy
aircraft flying over the top of the Gun Position to line up for the dropping of the bombs and
missiles. GBNF “Rest in Peace”
A casualty from HMS Sheffield is rushed by
stretcher to sick bay on board HMS Hermes.
HMS Sheffield was hit by an Argentine air
launched Exocet missile on 4th May and sank
the same day. Twenty members of the crew
lost their lives.
Two days previously the British nuclear
powered submarine HMS Conqueror had
torpedoed the Argentine vessel General
Belgrano in which 323 Argentinians died.
Right, 105 Lt Gun position.
By 26 May, the British forces were ready to advance, 45 Commando, 2 PARA and 3
PARA advanced on three axes. The terrain was exceptionally difficult and provided
almost no cover or concealment except thick mists and freezing cold rain, our
Observation Parties were embedded with 2 PARA and provided the enemy positions for
us to engage, the Fire Missions were nonstop, in support of 2 PARA, enabling them to
advance.
26

Few vehicles could traverse the ground and
helicopters, particularly the RAF’s Chinook,
were needed to move out Lt Guns,
Ammunition, Command Posts and troops,
this meant that the remainder of the Task
Force walked (or “Yomped” as it was called).
Everybody carried as much extra equipment
as each other could bear, understanding that
the extra belt of GPMG ammunition or Small
Arms ammunition could mean the difference
to life or death.
The Battery was moved by helicopter to our
2nd Gun Position in preparation for the
attack on Mount Longdon and Twin Sisters,
during this preparation, the Argentine
155mm Guns kept harassing fire. The air
was so clear that we could hear the enemy
Guns fire which allowed us to take cover in
our trenches. The enemy shelling did get
close, and we had soldiers struck by
shrapnel on several occasions. This
continued for about three days until
thankfully a RAF Harrier strike destroyed the
enemy Gun Position.
Port Darwin was captured by 2 Para on the
28 May, the next day reinforced by 42
Commando, pushed on to Goose Green.
After an intense fire fight
2 Para had overcome
stiff resistance and
numerical odds of three
to one against. It was in
this action that Lt Col H
Jones won his
posthumous Victoria
Cross.
Two days later advance parties of 5 Infantry
Brigade disembarked at San Carlos and by 8
June the Brigade had moved by air and by
sea to join 3 Commando Brigade which was
established on the mountains west of
Stanley, pre positioned for what would be the
final three phase-attack.
On the night of 11/12 June, 3
Commando Brigade took Mount
Longdon, Two Sisters and Mount
Harriet. The next night, 5 Infantry
Brigade took Wireless Hill, Tumbledown
Mountain and Mount William, whilst The
Welsh Guards captured Sapper Hill.
The 105mm Lt Guns from both 4 Field
Regiment and 29 Commando Regiment
fired in support of the above
engagements, as soon as Tumbledown
was taken our 105mm Lt Guns engaged
in support of 1/7th Gurkha Rifles
allowing them to take and capture
Mount William. By first light 2 Para
again supported by our Lt Guns had
captured Wireless Ridge, after Naval
Gunfire Support and diversionary
attacks by the SAS finally broke
Argentine resistance.
The enemy vacated Sapper Hill, large
numbers stood about having thrown
down their weapons and surrendered.
This had a snowball effect, and General
Moore was quick in exploiting the
collapse. For some hours before the
official surrender, British forces had
been ordered to fire only in selfdefence.
During the course of the
afternoon White Flags were flying over
Stanley. The battel for Port Stanley
was over and the Falklands were once
again free.
27

The Argentine Army signed the instrument of
surrender on the 14 June 1982, Argentine
troops were then disarmed and officers
separated from the men (for their own
safety, they were also allowed to keep side
arms).
On the 18 June Argentine and Britain agreed
on the process for repatriation of the POWs
and they boarded the SS Canberra and the
MV Norland bound for Peurto Madryn in the
Argentine, two hospital ships were sent from
Argentina to Port Stanley to collect sick and
wounded POW from British Field Hospitals.
29 (Corunna) Field Battery’s new role was
POW Handling until flight back to RAF Brize
Norton.
During the next few days we established our
new roles and responsibilities looking after
the POWs, this also gave us an opportunity
for some down time, we were all informed
that we could each send one Telegram
Home, that in its self caused an issue, in
1982 the forces had no Casualty Notification
Officers, so all notification of death was done
via telegram, before we left for the Falklands
our families were briefed on this procedure,
so if you can imagine a 17 year old Mary
Lou, in her flat in Aldershot, with a postman
standing at the door saying Mrs Kemp I have
a Telegram for you!!!!!! Something that Mary
Lou still remembers to this day.
Our return flight back to the UK was
soon upon us, a 23 hour flight, first by
C130 from Falkland’s to Ascension
Islands, followed by Tristar from
Ascension to RAF Brize Norton to meet
our families. I will never forget the pilot
announcing we are now flying over the
United Kingdom, welcome home.
In total, 649 Argentine military
personnel, 255 British military
personnel,
and three Falkland Islanders
died during the hostilities.
During the Falklands Conflict
the 29 (Corunna) Field Battery
fired 3,700 rounds and had been
involved in each major battle

Branch
Meetings
As part of our Branch
policy to support local
business our April Meeting
was held at Brown's
Restaurant near El
Campello
(Left)Branch stalwart
Jenny Powell with
guest Chris Epps
Joan Mollins
Wendy
Venters
with John
Candler
Roy and Carol Crisp
(Left) Malcolm Gregory
Denise and Les Dewson
Christine Gardiner with Sue Morris
29

And May's Meeting
at Amigos
In Onil
Branch Chairman John Pratt playing
video games
The Prices in deep conversation whilst Jenny Powell
gets in some meditation
Judith Thurston with new BCS Member
Janet Brickhill
Ed Morris explaining just
how big it was
Nice bag Barry, Barry
Thurston waits for the
meeting to start
30

Our June meeting
was held at the
Black Bull on
Castalla
International
31

The Video Page
Our Video page is designed to complement and give further information on articles
that appear within the Veteran.
Click Here
Click Here
HMS Hermes returns from the Falklands Falklands 1982
Gibraltar 30th March 2022
Click Here
Click Here
The Wedding of Les Hughes and
Isobel Strange
Royal British Legion Parade and
Drumhead Service, Annual Conference,
London. 15th May 2022

Military awards and decorations of the United Kingdom
Distinguished Service
Order
(DSO)
The Distinguished Service Order is an operational
gallantry award given for highly successful
command and leadership during active operations.
Personnel who perform a further act of such
leadership which would have merited a second award of the DSO would be issued
with a gold bar.
It may be awarded to all ranks of the services. This award is not available
posthumously.
Instituted on 6 September 1886 by Queen Victoria in a Royal Warrant published in
The London Gazette on 9 November, the first DSOs awarded were dated 25
November 1886.
The order was established to reward individual instances of meritorious or
distinguished service in war.
Since 1993, reflecting the review of the British honours system which recommended
removing distinctions of rank in respect of operational awards, the DSO has been
open to all ranks, with the award criteria redefined as 'highly successful command
and leadership during active operations'. At the same time, the Conspicuous
Gallantry Cross was introduced as the second highest award for gallantry. Despite
some very fierce campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, the DSO has yet to be awarded
to a non-commissioned rank.
The DSO had also been awarded by Commonwealth countries but by the 1990s most,
including Canada, Australia and New Zealand, were establishing their own honours
systems and no longer recommended British honours.

Forecast of Events
Alicante Branch meets at 12:00 pm on the 1st
Thursday of the month:
All meetings are followed by a Social Lunch within the local area.
Our weekly casual 'Meet & Greet' takes place at the No Problem
Bar on Thursdays at 15:00. Come along and meet some of the
members.
14th June 12:00 40th Anniversary of the liberation of the Falkland Islands
Service, Memorial Gardens Castalla International.
14th June 13:00 Table top sale in aid of the 2022 Poppy Appeal at the
main car park on Castalla International
25th June Armed Forces Day, Torrevieja.
7th July Branch monthly meeting. The International Club El Campello.
4th August Branch monthly meeting. Amigo's Onil.
1st September Branch monthly meeting. The International Club El
Campello.
Liberation Day is the national day of the Falkland Islands and
commemorates the liberation of the Falkland Islanders from
Argentine military occupation at the end of the Falklands War on
14 June 1982.
34

Forgive and Forget
A British officer spotted a busker in the London Underground with a sign that
read: "VETERAN SOLDIER OF THE FALKLANDS WAR." The officer
thought, "Poor chap, I was there and it was awful!" Feeling sorry for
a fellow veteran, he took £20 out of his wallet and gave it to the
busker. The officer was then greeted with a hearty: "Gracias,
Señor!"
Super Dooper Paratrooper
MILITARY HUMOUR
We have all
met him
His men would
follow him
anywhere, but
only out of
curiosity.
He is depriving
a village
somewhere of
an idiot
During the Falklands conflict four
paratroopers each from England,
Scotland, Wales and Ireland, were
on a plane about to jump when they
realized there was only one
serviceable parachute.
The Welsh paratrooper downed a
glass of rum, said "For Wales" and
jumped without the parachute.
The Irishman downed a glass of
Jameson's, said "For freedom!" and
jumped without the parachute.
The Scotsman downed a glass of
whiskey, said "For Scotland!" and
threw the Englishman out.
A general and a captain walking
down the street passed a number of
soldiers, and each time one of them
saluted the officers, the captain
saluted back and said, "The same to
you." "Why do you always say that?"
the general asked the captain. "I used
to be a private, too," said the captain,
"and I know just what they are
thinking."
Odds or Evans
A new officer was assigned to a submarine, a
boyhood dream come true. He was trying to
impress a knot of sailors with his expertise on
trim control and surfacing, all taught in 'Sub
School'. One of them cut him off quickly and
said, "Listen, 'sir', it's real simple. Add the
number of times we dive to the number of
times we surface. Divide that number by two.
If the result doesn't come out even, don't
open the hatch."
A paratrooper on his first jump stares at his
parachute doubtfully. "What should I do if it
doesn't open," he inquires of his Sergeant
who is handing them out.
"Just bring it back, lad," comes the smooth
answer, "and I'll replace it."

Patriotic Soldiers
Two old men, Bill and Joe, were sitting on a porch reminiscing about the Falklands.
"It was a real struggle," said Bill.
"I know what you mean," said Joe."I remember I was struggling all the way. I fought
and I fought, and I fought, and when I thought I was tired out, I found the strength
to carry on fighting another day."
"Yup."
"But it didn't matter, because in the end they made me join the Army anyway."
Most Dangerous Comments
A private saying “I learned this in
basic training…”
A lieutenant saying “Based on my
experience…”
A captain saying “I was just
thinking…”
When backtalk is still funny:
As a group of soldiers stood in
formation at an Army Barracks ,
the Sergeant said, “All right! All
you idiots fall out.”
As the rest of the squad wandered
away, one soldier remained at
attention. Sergeant walked over
until he was eye-to-eye with him.
The soldier smiled and said, “Sure
were a lot of ’em, huh, Sergeant?”
Center of the Universe
How many pilots does it take to
screw in a light bulb?
Only one. He holds the bulb and
then the world revolves around
him to screw it in.
The other day a police officer
pulls over a man driving a bus
when he walks on up to the side
windows and he sees 20 penguins
in there.
The officer questions the man
"sir, are these your penguins?"
The man replies "yep, they are
my pet penguins" The officer then says "sir, I am going to need
you to take those penguins to the zoo immediately!"
The man says "ok" to the officer and he drives off towards the
zoo.
The following day the officer pulls over the same bus and is
shocked to see the same 20 penguins inside all
wearing sunglasses.
The officer looks sternly at the driver and says "I
thought I ordered you to take these penguins to the
zoo? "The man replies "I did, and today we are all
going to the beach!"
Credit for the cartoons on these pages goes to
my friend and comrade Kelvin (Yonk}
Hunter, the Isle of Wight Highlander. CFGB

Poets
Corner
2 Para, June 82..... on ,
It was some show......
Better, than Dante's inferno.
Bright colours.....,
Filled the night, as....
Death.... filled the air,
With a living, screaming rainbow !
Swathes of fiery light plucked,
Holes, in mortal souls.
While banshees .....eerie cries!
Heralded the end, for some.
While Paratroopers fought.
As shells and bombs rained down.
Some....were just thrown aside,
tossed, .....in the air.
To land and lie, and briefly laugh.....
Before rising up,
to join in deaths dance, once more.
And as suddenly as it begun.
Once more Silence......
Filled the land,
as dawn, begun to break.
For the Valkyries .....
had filled their quota.
On yon.....last
vista....
Way down South!
Just before Stanley, at place.....
Called
Wireless Ridge.
Giajl © Jim Love
Nowhere to run & Nowhere to hide
....( RIP )
What I Miss Most
As part of our Falklands
40 celebration
poets corner features the
poems of Branch Member
and Falklands Veteran
Jim 'Jock' Love.
I miss those crisp clear nights, when the frost glistens in the
moonlight.
I miss those lonely exposed hills, lashed by the rain.
I miss the young and innocent faces, some of whom we’ll
never see again.
I miss the laughter and the crack.
I miss their morbid humour, the childish pranks and unspoken
laws.
I miss the sense of belonging, that unique bond.
I miss youth at its best, though I’ll grow old, unlike the rest.
What I miss most?
I miss the lads.
On Far Off Lands.....
They'll always...... be.
A little part, of me.
That's been,.... left behind.
Whether, added ....to the water.
Or buried, in the mud.
Perhaps..... reverent, in the wind.
Or ....
a small piece, encapsulated...
Within,....
My brain.
Which will forever rest.
As long,.... as I remain.
A memory......... of a,
Time,.... when,
I once was, a warrior!
Giajl © Jim Love
37

The Alicante Branch
of the
Royal British Legion
"Service not Self "
Visit our website at
http://branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/alicante