Military personnel who gave lives remembered for Falkland Islands Liberation Day - in pictures

The Falkland Islands Liberation Day Parade took place on Sunday (June 14) in front of The Falklands Memorial next to The Square Tower to commemorate the liberation of the Falkland Islands from Argentinian occupation on 14 June 1982.

Veterans, representatives of the Royal Navy, the Royal Naval Association and family members were among those at the service where prayers were said and wreaths laid to remember those who lost their lives.

The occupation lasted 74 days and 649 Argentine military personnel, 255 British military personnel, and three Falkland Islanders were killed during the hostilities. Seven ships were also lost and nine aircraft shot down - including HMS Sheffield which became the first British warship lost in action since the Second World War.

David Redwood, known as Spike, served in the Parachute Regiment during the war. He said: “Attending this service today is one for reflection, many years have passed since 1982 but this weekend I think back to the friends I’ve lost and what we served and fought for.

“The comradeship we had and those bonds that grew then have proved the test of time. We’ve remained friends since and forever will do.

“We sailed from here in 1982 - past these very walls - which I find very moving. That’s stayed with me. When I think about it, it is quite reflective and emotional.

“The sense on the way down of what we were going into, we didn’t really understand at that time.

“Today I’m thinking about a number of individuals and friends I lost, whose lives stopped and we went on. I find it immensely sad that friends I’d known are not with us now.”

Asked what his message would be to the families who had lost loved ones during the conflict, the veteran said: “My message is they will never be forgotten, we will remember them. I think it’s very important veterans continue sharing their stories.

“We need to learn from history and it’s important the lessons we learned years ago are carried on to the next generation.”

He added: “Time has moved on for all of us, none of us are getting any younger but I think it’s great that we all gather on an occasion like this to remember.”