Our War


28,000 personnel sailed on the British Task Force to the South Atlantic to liberate the Falkland Islands. Each one of them has their own story and memories of those tumultuous weeks at war. To share the experiences of a few of the people who will never forget the Falklands War, please roll your mouse over the map below.

"As a sailor, you're told only 50% of you will come back from war. So I felt some trepidation when we heard we were going to the Falklands. But it was the right thing for the Task Force to go. I was on an anti-submarine vessel, but another one in the first group knocked out Argentina's submarine, so my ship became a vital supply ship to the troops."

Allen Parton
"We were halfway across the Sound when we realized there were aircraft coming towards us - and we weren't flying a white flag. One of the children - Susie Nightingale - had some of her things stuffed into a white pillowcase so we emptied them out and Finlay hoisted Susie's pillowcase up the mast. The planes obviously saw us, and flew off, but it made us very aware of our vulnerability."

Lorraine McGill, recalling being taken home to West Falkland in the early days of the invasion. (Invasion 1982, The Falkland Islanders Story, by Graham Bound, published by Pen & Sword Books.)

"I joined the Merchant Navy in 1968 and during the Falklands War I was a Radio Officer aboard the Canberra. We carried the Paras and Royal Marines right to the heart of the conflict in San Carlos Water. I remember great camaraderie and dreadful weather! They were heroes, all of them, the ones that faced real war and fear."

Peter Thomas (caption on photo: Canberra, nick named the 'Great White Whale" - painting courtesy of Peter Westcott.
"It was my first time in combat. I never expected to go to war, especially so far away from home. We sailed to the Falklands on the QE2 and landed at San Carlos and were sent down the Sound on landing craft units. I remember waiting for orders to move forwards. It was very difficult because behind us British mortars were exchanging fire with the Argentineans. In the Falklands I saw things that every soldier sees in war. We were one of the last regiments to leave the islands - I was glad to be going home."

Graham Coakes

"I was just 19, barely finished my training with the 2 Para. The worst thing I witnessed during the battle for Goose Green was my best friend being killed. I remember the gorse bushes catching fire and the stench of burning bodies. It wasn't until days later that I realised I'd sustained a mortar wound. I came back from the Falklands 25 years ago, but I'm back there every night."

Stephen Anstee
"I was in the Army for 27 years - I loved serving my country. The day after the ceasefire was declared, I stepped on a landmine. Shrapnel tore through my legs and hands. I suffered terrible wounds to my left leg. The doctors tried their best to save it, but after three operations the leg had to be amputated."

David Carter
"I sailed down to the Falklands on a converted container ship carrying aircraft and vehicles. We were shot at, which was very frightening, especially when you were doing 'look outs' in the dark. I can remember how cold it was - so cold that we were only allowed on the bridge for 15 minutes."

Mark Roberts

"I served in the Paras and was on the RFA Sir Galahad when it took a direct hit at Bluff Cove on June 8th a one thousand pound bomb exploded. The fire was terrible - 48 men were killed. I witnessed many of my comrades die horrific deaths. Even now, 25 years later, the nightmare of that attack still haunts me."

Yanto Evans

"I served on the Baltic Ferry, refuelling helicopters. On the day that the Galahad and Tristram were hit we had many helicopters coming into refuel. They were taking the injured - many of them very badly wounded - to the Intrepid and Fearless. I saw badly burnt soldiers who looked like their faces were melting. I still see them in my dreams."

John Butt

"I was deployed to the Falklands about nine months after the end of hostilities. There was still a tense atmosphere. It was a dangerous place to be - we were faced with unmarked minefields, grenades on tripwires, even dead bodies that had been booby-trapped. My role was in airfield defence at Port Stanley airport. I worked on a Rapier anti-aircraft missile system, which needed to be manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week as the Argentinean Airforce carried out probing raids."

Paul Whiteside.