Falklands : Commemoration of the 93rd Anniversary of the Battle of the Falklands
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 10.12.2007 (Article Archived on 24.12.2007)
A day of commemoration was held in the Falkland Islands in memory of all who gave their lives on 08 December 1914.
Photo (c) J. Brock (FINN) H. E. the Governor Mr Alan Huckle lays a wreath at the 1914 Battle Monument.
Commemoration of the 93RD Anniversary of the Battle of the Falkland Islands
H. E. the Governor Mr. Alan Huckle lays a wreath at the 1914 Battle Monument.
A day to commemorate the victory of the Naval engagements of 8th December 1914 on which day 6 British sailors lost their lives and a number of others died later from injuries received during the battle. 2,260 German sailors also lost their lives was held on Saturday, 08 December 2007..
At 9.25 am the traditional church service took place at Christ Church Cathedral. Detachments of the Royal Navy and the Falkland Islands Defence Force entered the Cathedral, where at 9.45 am the customary Memorial Service will be held. His Excellency the Governor together with the Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands, other Senior Officers serving with the British Forces South Atlantic Islands and members of Legislative Council attended the service.
At the service the Rev. Dr. Hinds welcomed especially Mr. Robin Oliver, who has returned to the Falkland Islands and to Stanley for the first time since 1982 and his wife, Michelle as well as the members of the Cosford Area Voluntary Band, who played the accompaniment for the service. During the service the standard of the newly formed Falkland Islands Defence force Association was dedicated. A collection for the Lighthouse Seaman’s Mission will be made during the service.
REMARKS BY FR. PETER NORRIS OF ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH
“In 1914 on the 8th of December some ships sailed from here – a squadron of the Royal Navy – to engage in battle with a squadron of the German Fleet. The result of that was that 10 were killed on our side, 19 wounded and no ships lost. But on the German side, 1871 were killed, 215 captured, 2 armoured cruisers, 2 light cruisers sunk and two transports captured and subsequently scuttled.
Why do we remember this?
Some weeks ago when we had the SAMA people down here I had two people staying with me. One was on the Sheffield and one had been on the Coventry. They asked the question themselves – why did they have to remember these things?
In the case of the SAMA people, especially the two staying with me, both of whom had their ships blown up from underneath them, there was a great need first to remember what happened then and then to see the results now, to come here and meet with the people, to see the good that had come from such a tragic event, help them in their healing journey that they so desperately needed.
But why do we come here today to remember? We did not take part in that battle. There probably is no one left who did. And, yet we still remember them.
I remember many years ago standing, freezing in front of probably my first memorial as a young cadet and wondering why it was all happening, why I was there freezing to death. An older gentleman reminded me that these things aren’t just events – they are about people. They are about people who put themselves forward in harm’s way in order to bring peace and hopefully tranquillity to the rest of us.
A small incident happened at my house with these two SAMA men. The door bell rang and it was a young Argentine couple – probably mid 20s or slightly older. And, they had come to give a donation to the Church. The two SAMA men were there and I introduced them and it was like a reunion. They made a big full of these Argentines – a really big fuss – as if they were fellow SAMAs – in a sense.
And, when it was explained to the couple who these two men were, the young man actually started crying and apologised for the pain that his countrymen had laid upon these two men. But they said not to worry, that the war was over and to forget about it.
But can we forget about such an event? I know it’s a long time ago but, again, people did die, people did suffer. And, in a direct relation to these Islands, it saved a lot of people on these Islands from suffering. And so we remember that.
What else do we remember and why do we remember these things? I don’t know if you had seen the film, “Saving Private Ryan,” where a group of men were sent out to save Ryan from death because his mother had already lost three sons. And, at the end of the film you see Private Ryan now a lot older saluting the graves of the men who had dies in order to save him. And, he asked a question of his wife – “have I been a good person?” “Have I lived a life worthy of these men’s sacrifice?”
I think it’s very important in memorials to think deeply about these things and to think to ourselves individually if we lead a life that makes it worthy for these men to sacrifice themselves, as they have done. As individuals and as a community, do we try to shape our community in order to show respect for those who have come before and put themselves in harm’s way for our sake? Do we live with each other in a situation of peace or are we never quite satisfied and wanting more?
As Christians we believe that Christ died for us to give us eternal life. We also believe that very often the seat of the Church is the blood of the martyrs who have gone before.
These men, few as they were on our side, but there were many on the German side and we must think of them as well. These deaths should not be lightly thought of. And people event today as we speak are in battle at far parts of the world on behalf of peace for people. People have to laugh at me when I say that sometimes war brings peace. There’s a difference between being anti war and pro peace. If you are pro peace you are in your heart for peace – peace between neighbours. And its very important that we remember that at this time – that wars don’t suddenly flare up. They start with people’s antipathy to other people. They start with people who can’t get enough and they want more, which results in wars and strife.
So let us remember the words of Private Ryan as he stands over the graves of the people who sacrifice themselves for him. Have I been a good person? Have I lived in a way that makes it worth them having sacrificed themselves for me?”
At the conclusion of the memorial service detachments of the Royal Navy, the Falkland Islands Defence Force led by the Cosford Area Voluntary Band marched to the Battle Memorial where at 10.45 am the ceremony began with the arrival of the parade. Detachments of the Royal Navy, the Falkland Islands Defence Force and Members of the various youth organisations were also present. At 10.58 His Excellency the Governor arrived at the Battle Memorial and inspected the Parade. After prayers. H. E. The Governor Mr. Alan Huckle, a Councillor, the Commander British Forces placed wreaths on the eastern side of the 1914 Battle Memorial. Others also laid wreaths. A flypast at 11.12 am consisted of two Tornado Aircraft.
After the ceremony at the Battle Memorial there was a march past. His Excellency the Governor took the Salute from a dais at the entrance gates to Government House lawns.
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