Battle Day Ceremony at the Cenotaph: 8 December 2018
The Falkland Islands Association (FIA) held its annual Battle Day ceremony at the Cenotaph in London on Saturday, 8 December 2018.
The service commemorates those who fought and gave up their lives in the First World War naval battle off the Falkland Islands on 8 December 1914, when the Royal Navy defeated the German naval squadron under Admiral von Spee. The commemoration has since been extended to cover those who were killed or injured in WWII and the Falklands Conflict in 1982 protecting the Falkland Islands from external aggression.
The service was conducted by the Rev’d Dr Richard Hines, former Rector of Christ Church Cathedral in Stanley. Brigadier (Retd) Bill Aldridge CBE, Commander British Forces Falkland Islands 2011-13, laid the principal wreath for the Armed Services. Other wreaths were laid by Mr Andrew Rosindell MP, on behalf of the Falkland Islands All Party Parliamentary Group; Ms Teslyn Barkman, Member of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly for the Falkland Islands Government; Mr Alan Huckle for the Falkland Islands Association; Lt. Zoran Zuvic Bulic for the Falkland Islands Defence Force (FIDF); Mr Andrew Lockett for the South Atlantic Medal Association SAMA82); Mr Colin Vitler on behalf of the HMS Protector Association; Mrs Sara Jones on behalf of the Falkland Families Association; Mr John Kingsmell for the Association of the Men of Kent & Kentish Men; and Falkland Islands students on behalf of the youth of the Falkland Islands.
The Parade Marshall was Col Mike Bowles (ret’d), a 1982 veteran and former chairman of SAMA82. Escorts to the colour party were provided by Royal Navy reservists from HMS President and sea cadets from Pangbourne College. A Royal Marine buglr sounded the Last Post and Reveille.
Brig. Aldridge inspected the parade I front of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) before their dismissal. Members and invited guests then moved to the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) at 61 Whitehall for the FIA’s Annual General Meeting and luncheon.
