Royal Navy bases to follow Portsmouth in honouring Falkland War's 'unsung' dockyard heroes

BRITISH naval establishments across the globe are set to follow in Portsmouth’s footsteps by honouring the ‘unsung dockyard heroes’ of the Falklands War, The News can reveal.
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Thousands of workers were scrambled in 1982 to prepare the Royal Navy’s liberation fleet to retake the Falkland Islands from Argentinian invaders.

But their herculean response to the crisis – which saw 39 ships in Portsmouth being readied for war in a matter of days – had broadly been overlooked.

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Portsmouth Lord Mayor Councillor Rob Wood and the lady mayoress unveil the plaque during a ceremony at the dockyard last year. Photo: Royal NavyPortsmouth Lord Mayor Councillor Rob Wood and the lady mayoress unveil the plaque during a ceremony at the dockyard last year. Photo: Royal Navy
Portsmouth Lord Mayor Councillor Rob Wood and the lady mayoress unveil the plaque during a ceremony at the dockyard last year. Photo: Royal Navy

Now The News can reveal that six other naval sites – Devonport, Gibraltar, Portland, Clyde, Hull and Chatham – are braced to follow suite, unveiling their own tributes next year to mark the 40th anniversary of the conflict.

While a further two – Rosyth dockyard in Scotland and the site at the Ascension Islands, more than 4,100 miles away – are also launching their own plans.

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The news has thrilled veteran sailor Andrew Cave, who spearheaded the initial campaign for a plaque in Portsmouth.

The inscription on the plaque honouring Portsmouth's dockyard workers who helped mobilise the Royal Navy task force in 1982 to liberate the Falklands. Photo: Royal NavyThe inscription on the plaque honouring Portsmouth's dockyard workers who helped mobilise the Royal Navy task force in 1982 to liberate the Falklands. Photo: Royal Navy
The inscription on the plaque honouring Portsmouth's dockyard workers who helped mobilise the Royal Navy task force in 1982 to liberate the Falklands. Photo: Royal Navy
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He said: ‘When I first contacted Portsmouth there was no intention on my behalf of contacting other dockyards, who were involved in this conflict but I decided to research this subject matter further and was amazed by the achievements and sacrifices made by all dockyard personnel to ensure that the Task Force was ready for war.

‘Thirty-eight years have now passed since the start of this conflict and I believe that these dockyard workers, their families and indeed the dockyards have waited far too long and deserve a lasting recognition as our nation was facing a severe crisis and they played a massive part in the success of the operation.’

The Argentinian invasion force stormed the Falklands on April 2, 1982.

It prompted a major response from UK, which scrambled its military to liberate the British territory.

Naval base commander Commodore JJ Bailey with Portsmouth Lord Mayor Councillor Rob Wood and the lady mayoress during the unveiling ceremony at the dockyard last year. Photo: Royal NavyNaval base commander Commodore JJ Bailey with Portsmouth Lord Mayor Councillor Rob Wood and the lady mayoress during the unveiling ceremony at the dockyard last year. Photo: Royal Navy
Naval base commander Commodore JJ Bailey with Portsmouth Lord Mayor Councillor Rob Wood and the lady mayoress during the unveiling ceremony at the dockyard last year. Photo: Royal Navy

The invaders eventually surrendered on June 14.

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Much of the Royal Navy task force dispatched to reclaim the islands set sail from Portsmouth, including aircraft carriers HMS Invincible and HMS Hermes – in which Mr Cave was serving as a 17-year-old sailor.

But for this to happen, the workforce at the dockyard – many of whom were set to be made redundant – had to work around the clock to get everything in order.

BAE Systems apprentice Rohann Pearce, 23, crafted the plaque over the course of two weeks. Here she is pictured looking at her handiwork. Photo: Royal NavyBAE Systems apprentice Rohann Pearce, 23, crafted the plaque over the course of two weeks. Here she is pictured looking at her handiwork. Photo: Royal Navy
BAE Systems apprentice Rohann Pearce, 23, crafted the plaque over the course of two weeks. Here she is pictured looking at her handiwork. Photo: Royal Navy

‘I can remember our Captain Lyn Middleton signalling the dockyard thanking them for their magnificent support and this was repeated by other departing ships,’ added Mr Cave, who joined the navy in 1981.

‘I can also remember being told by one of these dockyard workers after the conflict that many of the jobs that were done in order to make sure that everything was ready for the ships to sail on time would normally have taken weeks but had been done around the clock in just days.’

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Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt, who champion the campaign was ‘pleased’ other docks had followed Portsmouth and said: ‘It is quite right that we honour thee incredible efforts, determination and skills of these yards in readying the task force.

‘Without them delivering, no campaign could have been mounted.’

A plaque was unveiled in Portsmouth in October and will be immortalised inside the historic dockyard’s Boathouse No 7.

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HMS Hermes, the aircraft carrier, returns from the Falklands in 1982. The News PP4829HMS Hermes, the aircraft carrier, returns from the Falklands in 1982. The News PP4829
HMS Hermes, the aircraft carrier, returns from the Falklands in 1982. The News PP4829

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