Prior to Our Arrival
While travelling northwards towards the Falklands the most senior officers had a pancake race. I like the mixture of humour and concern on the faces of the other officers as the captain nearly drops his pancake:
Simon Weston
Simon Weston CBE
The talks given by the very witty and inspirational Falklands War veteran, Simon Weston were certainly a highlight of the cruise.
His first talk, relating to his life prior to June 1982, had us “in stitches”, especially his tales of mischief and antics while serving with the Welsh Guards.
But later he provided an insight into his suffering, from the burns he received on Sir Galahad in Bluff Cove, the personal difficulties that followed and the mental attitude needed to overcome them.
He also spoke of subsequent friendships including that with the Argentinian pilot who carried out the crippling air strike.
Our Visit to the Falklands
Arriving at Port Stanley on a fine sunny morning, we anchored in the outer harbour. The tender boats were used to get us ashore.
I wanted to learn more about the Falklands War, to see the locations of some of the battles that took place and to try and understand the impact it all had on the local people.
We were met by a local guide, Tim Miller, who, through his knowledge and personal experience, was able to provide an interesting, comprehensive and to some extent entertaining summary of the events following the Argentinian invasion on 2nd April 1982.
Our first stop was “Boot Hill” as it is now called due to the footwear that has been placed there on stakes and poles.
The tradition is thought to have started when a local farmer trod on a landmine. After losing his leg he impaled the unwanted boot on a stake in this location but then others followed perhaps in sympathy or to show moral support.
In the image above, San Carlos is beyond the distant hills on the right. This is where the British forces landed on 2nd May, prior to their famous “yomp” (your own marching pace) over this marshy terrane, under the cover of darkness carrying on their backs all the necessary kit for the attack.
Late one evening the farmer here answered a knock on his door, wondering what the Argentinians now wanted from him. He was shocked to find two burly SAS troopers on his doorstep!
In order to reach Port Stanley, which is beyond these hills, the British had to overpower the Argentinian position at the top of each hill. They did this over two nights of fierce combat. Stanley was liberated on 14th June.
Our Local Guide – Tim Miller
Towards the end of our tour, Tim told us his story:
At the time he was a sheep farmer. One day he heard the sound of approaching jet planes and stepped outside his house to investigate. He vividly described the sight of two Harriers screaming towards him and one dropping a very large bomb close to him. Fortunately a structure shielded him but Tim still received multiple shrapnel wounds some lodging (and are still lodged) behind his eye blinding him in that eye.
I asked him about medical support at the time and it was just the people on the farm that looked after him until the British regained control.
After returning to our ship I Googled “Tim Miller” and found his story, just as he told it, on the BBC Radio website. It really is worth a read. You can find just the short text here: Tim Miller’s Story
Or here it is on the BBC website: BBC Radio 4 Archive (Tim Miller)
After leaving the Falklands that evening, there was a remembrance service on the ship. “The Last Post” was beautifully played and, with the sun setting over the Falklands in the background, the captain threw a reef into the sea.
We were on our way to Montevideo in Uruguay
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