Falklands : the Governor’s taxi in the Falkland Islands is formally retired
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 21.09.2010 (Article Archived on 05.10.2010)

The red Austin taxi (chassis no: FL2 DR 28644, car no: H26653) came into service on 20 January 1976 during the time of Governor French. The tradition of having a London taxi as the Crown car in the Falklands was already well-established: at least two black taxis had preceded her. The taxi was considered more practical than other cars on ceremonial occasions because the higher roof and greater space in the rear of the taxi made it easier for a Governor, in full dress uniform with plumes and sword, and his elegantly behatted wife to sit in comfort (and alight with more dignity).

An old lady laid to rest – the Governor’s taxi in the Falkland Islands is formally retired

His Excellency the Governor, Mr Alan Huckle, toasted the Governor’s taxi in the company of its current and previous drivers at his farewell reception on 18 September 2010, before it was taken away for a well-earned retirement with the Falkland Islands’ Museum and National Trust.

 The red Austin taxi (chassis no: FL2 DR 28644, car no: H26653) came into service on 20 January 1976 during the time of Governor French.  The tradition of having a London taxi as the Crown car in the Falklands was already well-established: at least two black taxis had preceded her.  The taxi was considered more practical than other cars on ceremonial occasions because the higher roof and greater space in the rear of the taxi made it easier for a Governor, in full dress uniform with plumes and sword, and his elegantly behatted wife to sit in comfort (and alight with more dignity).

The taxi served various Governors – Governors French (1975-76), Parker (1976-80), Hunt (1980-85), Jewkes (1985-88), Fullerton (1988-92), Tatham (1992-95), Pearce (2006) and Huckle (2006-2010).  The taxi went into storage in 1996 under Governor Ralph (1996-99), because of its condition and because many of the replacement parts needed to keep it going were obsolete.  In May 2002, in Governor Lamont’s time (1999-02), the taxi was towed back to Government House (having been specially insured for a week) for comedian Jim Davidson’s benefit during his ‘Jim Davidson Falklands Bound’ visit.  The taxi was then in poor shape, rusty, with brakes and steering not working properly and the engine blowing steam and smoke but Jim Davidson got his pictures.  In 2005, Bruce Miller of Stanley Body Repairs was commissioned by the Falkland Islands’ Museum and National Trust (FIMNT) to restore the vehicle.  This took several months; the body was stripped down, sand-blasted and repainted and the engine restored to full working order.  The taxi came into renewed service with a new licence plate F1 MNT in time for Governor Pearce’s wedding at Stanley’s Christchurch Cathedral.  Since then, the taxi has been used for occasional weddings and by Governor Huckle on ceremonial occasions.

The taxi was normally restricted to Stanley but Governor Hunt used it to welcome HRH Prince Andrew on his arrival by ‘plane for the official opening of the newly-constructed Mount Pleasant Airport in 1986 – and with careful chauffeurs, it was rarely damaged.  The taxi has conveyed many VIPs, including members of the Royal Family (Prince Andrew and the Duke of Kent), Ministers (Mrs Thatcher, Mr Heseltine, Mr Nott, Mr Hurd, Mr Rifkind), and VIPs (Lord Shackleton, Sherpa Tensing).  During the Royal visits of Prince Charles and Princess Anne’s first visit, the taxi was in storage.  During Princess Anne’s later visits and that of Prince Edward in 2007, only the Governor travelled in the taxi (for safety reasons): the Royal visitors travelled in the new Crown car (a Landrover Discovery).  One of the most poignant occasions was when Governor Hunt and his wife, Mavis, were driven in the taxi to depart the Falklands following the Argentine illegal occupation in 1982.  It was stored by the Governor’s chauffeur, Don Bonner, and never used by the Argentines.  It came back into the service of its rightful owners on Governor Hunt’s return to the Falklands.

The Governor’s chauffeurs have included:

For further information, please contact Leona Roberts at the Falkland Islands’ Museum and National Trust (telno +500 27428) or Ric Nye in Government House (telno +500 28200).

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