Dear Editor

I have just returned from a short sea cruise around South America during which we landed on the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic.

I visited part of the battle sites of the 1982 conflict where the Royal Marines and Parachute regiments ‘Yomped’.

I visited the British War Memorial in Port Stanley and placed a poppy there. I also put one under the plaque carrying the name of Private Timothy Jenkins from Ross-on-Wye.

We also called in at Montevideo, Uruguay, on the River Plate, where HM ships Archilles and Exeter trapped the German ship, nicknamed a pocket battleship, Admiral Graf Spee in 1939. It eventually scuttled itself. At the port the anchor, gun ranging turret and other bits can still be seen.

The rather battered, white ensign of HMS Achilles hangs in the Cathedral of Port Stanley.

I have wanted to complete this trip for a long time as my maternal Great Grandfather had sailed around Cape Horn about 150 years ago.

My Grandfather and other members of my family have also done this as they were Royal Dan Merchant Seamen living in the Portsmouth area.

Everyone on the Falklands are so pleased to meet visitors from Britain and we were given a really warm welcome.

Pete Barley

WalfordSee this week’s paper for more letters like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.