Rhyl marks 40th anniversary of Falklands War with special event

Richard Kendrick, who helps raise funds for the Royal British Legion (RBL) and numerous other charities, arranged the event, which took place at Rhyl Events Arena.

Today is 40 years since the Falklands War was declared ended, having begun 10 weeks earlier between Argentina and the UK regarding two British dependent territories in the South Atlantic.

In total, 649 Argentine and 255 British military personnel, as well as three Falkland Islanders, lost their lives during the 74-day conflict.

A number of Rhyl schools were in attendance at the remembrance event, as well as veterans and their families, cadets, and vicars from the area.

Proceedings began with a prayer from Father Anthony Nnamah of St Mary's Church, before speeches were delivered by Reverend Chris Spencer, Brian Jones on behalf of the RBL, and the mayor of Rhyl, Cllr Diane King.

The bugle call "The Last Post" was then played by Stuart Parry of the Rhyl Silver Band, followed by a two-minute silence, before the British flag was raised and wreaths were laid.

Posters with pictures of various scenes from the Falklands were also displayed.

Wreaths laid in front of posters depicting images from the Falklands War

Richard, who applied for a volunteering role with the RBL roughly seven years ago, was delighted at the event's success, and hoped it proved as poignant as it was informative for the school children in attendance.

He said: "It's gone really well. Everybody’s listened, and there’s been a good reception from everybody.

"It’s been lovely to so many dignitaries here, and from different towns, not just Rhyl – from St Asaph, Rhuddlan, Abergele, and Prestatyn, too.

"I knew some of the lads who lost their lives (while serving) and didn’t come back. I thought it’d be quite an honour to work for the RBL, supporting families and helping raise money.

"Especially at the end, when you say 'thank you', you do feel the tears. There are a couple of lads here who knew my parents and fought in the Falklands, and it does bring tears to your eyes that they’re here.

"I don’t think there’s a lad here from the Falklands who hasn’t lost a friend over there. There are so many who passed away, unfortunately.

(L-R) a representative of the The Queen's Dragoon Guards (QDG), Welsh Guard from 1st Battalion, St Asaph mayor Colin Hardie Rhuddlan mayor Mike Elgin, Richard Kendrick, Rhyl mayor Diane King, Prestatyn and Meliden mayor Tina Jones, QDG representative, Welsh Guard

"They (school children) are our future. The speech I wrote for Mr Jones, who is part of the RBL, was mainly for the children to listen and understand, and to tell them that the most powerful weapon that you have is in your mouth.

"If you can talk to someone, and work things out by talking, you don’t have to fight. By having the children here and listening, you just think that, hopefully you can change the future.

READ MORE:

Rhyl fundraiser named a ‘Platinum Champion’ as part of Jubilee awards

"The Welsh Guards looked amazing, and when the flag was raised, knowing that that’s happening in many towns across the Commonwealth, and to see so many poppy wreaths, was just lovely. It’s a good feeling."

Among the veterans in attendance was Peter Evans from Denbigh, who served in the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards as a radio operator.

Army veterans in attendance at the Rhyl memorial event

Peter was also one of the survivors of the bombing of the Sir Galahad ship on June 8, 1982, where 32 of the 48 soldiers who died were from the Welsh Guards.

Peter said: "It’s about remembering all of the comrades and brothers in arms who never came back, and their families who have suffered.

"We’re just here to remember every one of them; not just the Falklands, every conflict. Things like this make sure they’ll never been forgotten.

"I still remember it like it was yesterday.

"People do so much to make sure they’ll never be forgotten, and I don’t think it ever will be, with the younger generation being told stories and the history of what they did for their country.

"They’ll never forget that.

"It’s a brotherhood, and it doesn’t matter what regiment you serve, we all get on really well."