The Falklands War and HMS Fearless

2022 has marked the 40th anniversary of the Falklands conflict. The Falklands War took place in 1982 after Argentina invaded the Falklands Islands (a small British Territory in the South Atlantic Ocean). The objective was to liberate the Falkland Islands from the Argentine forces and was deemed the biggest amphibious objective since the D-Day landings. The whole campaign lasted 100 days, where it suffered the loss of 6 Royal Navy ships and 237 lives of those serving.

HMS Fearless was a Royal Navy amphibious assault ship which was led by Captain Jeremy Larken RN. The ship set off from Portsmouth on the 2 April 1982, sailing 8,000 miles. During the journey, Captain Larken had to prepare the crew for the fight ahead, with some men as young as 17 years old. The crew knew they were heading off to fight a war, not knowing whether they would be returning, so a daunting challenge lay ahead. One young man who was serving onboard the ship was  Comserv’s future Health, Safety & Quality Standards Manager – Gary Mann.

Following the successful outcome of liberating the Falkland Islands and returning it to British Sovereignty, HMS Fearless headed back home on the 25 June 1982.

Falklands 40 – Commemoration

For the 40th Anniversary of the Falklands conflict, Royal Navy Veterans who served on HMS Fearless arranged for a HMS Fearless Standard (flag) to be made for use at an event that was taking place over the commemorative weekend. Comserv donated funds towards the cost of this flag. An evening dinner took place at the Royal Maritime Club in Portsmouth on Saturday 28 May and those who fought 40 years ago were invited to attend.

At the dinner the veterans celebrated the victory and remembered those that so tragically lost their lives. In particular, an address was made to absent friends with a bugler playing the ‘Last Post’ followed by a two minutes silence. They also held in memory those whose lives were lost on ‘Foxtrot Four’, one of the landing craft which transported army personnel and equipment from Goose Green to Fitzroy in the East Falklands. Six crewmen died in this assault and there were eleven survivors.

Over the commemorative weekend, a memorial was also held in Gosport on Sunday 29 May. This was attended by both serving and former serving members of the armed forces, including those who served on HMS Fearless.