ME and Ophelia

Angry Falklands war veterans

From The Observer, Sunday 14 June 2009, by Mark Townsend
Royal snub to Falklands war veterans

Ministers and members of the royal family have angered Falklands war veterans by snubbing today's official memorial service for the 255 British servicemen killed in the conflict.

Survivors are "appalled" that no minister or senior royal will attend the service at the Falklands Memorial Chapel in Pangbourne, Berkshire, which marks the 27th anniversary of the liberation of the islands from Argentinian troops. Their anger comes days after Prince Charles and Gordon Brown travelled to France for a high-profile anniversary service to remember those who died during the D-day landings in 1944.

Scots Guards officer Robert Lawrence, who was wounded at Mount Tumbledown during the Falklands campaign and whose experiences were made into a BBC film, said: "It's appalling that no senior figure from the government should attend, particularly at a time when appearing in public and acting humble would be in their interest." Derek "Smokey" Cole, chairman of the Falklands Veterans Foundation, said: "I really feel they should support it [the memorial service] and I think the government should be represented there."

The only government representative is an MoD official who helped organise the Falklands memorial service two years ago. Those who will attend include Suki Cameron, the Falkland Islands government representative in London; the Royal British Legion's national president, Lieutenant-General Sir John Kiszely; and Sara Jones, widow of Lieutenant-Colonel "H" Jones, VC, who died in the battle of Goose Green.