Tribute paid to Falklands war dead

14 Jun 2012, 4:05 am   -   Source: AAP

British veterans and officials have paid tribute to those who died in the Falklands War 30 years ago.

Britain has paid tribute to its heroes of the Falklands War at the remote beach-head where they fought and died 30 years ago.

Veterans of the 1982 War laid wreaths and saluted their comrades at the British war graves at San Carlos on the island of East Falkland on Wednesday.

They were joined by Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne who later also laid a wreath at the Argentine cemetery at Darwin, near Goose Green.

The 15-minute service was part of a week of commemorations in the Falkland Islands marking the 30th anniversary of their liberation.

In 1982 San Carlos bay, overlooked by what came to be known as "bomb alley", was the setting for the biggest British amphibious landings since D-Day.

Standing in the cold harsh wind at the circular stone cemetery - the main memorial to the 255 UK servicemen who died in the conflict - veterans, politicians and family members of the fallen, watched as five wreaths were placed beneath a monument.

The country's military government invaded the Falklands, citing a territorial claim dating back to Spanish colonial times.

At least 655 Argentinians died defending the "Malvinas" from the British Task Force.

The cemetery has more than 125 headstones for "unknown" soldiers.

  • Follow us: 
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Youtube