Falklands Veterans and Families Association

Falklands Veterans and Families Association
Name	Falklands Veterans and Families Association
Formation	1982
Type	Charity
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Region served	Falkland Islands, United Kingdom, Argentina
Leader title	Chair

Falklands Veterans and Families Association

The Falklands Veterans and Families Association is a British charity formed after the Falklands War to support veterans of the British Armed Forces and their relatives affected by the 1982 conflict between the United Kingdom and Argentina. It provides welfare, commemorative, and advocacy services linked to events such as the Battle of Goose Green, the Battle of Mount Tumbledown, and the Sinking of the General Belgrano. The association works alongside organisations including the Royal British Legion, the Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom), and civilian bodies in the Falkland Islands.

History

The association emerged in the aftermath of the 1982 hostilities that followed Argentina’s invasion of the Falkland Islands and the subsequent British task force deployment commanded by figures like Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse and guided by politicians including Margaret Thatcher and Geoffrey Howe. Early membership included veterans from regiments and units such as the Parachute Regiment, the Royal Marines, the Corps of Royal Engineers, 10th Princess Mary's Own Gurkha Rifles, and the Royal Navy crews from vessels like HMS Sheffield and HMS Coventry. Influential events in the association’s formation referenced battles at Port Stanley, the Battle of Mount Longdon, and operations involving carriers such as HMS Hermes and HMS Invincible. The group has had contact with Falklands civilian leaders including Jubilee Islands administrators and has observed anniversaries tied to the Ceasefire and diplomatic efforts like the Prince of Wales’ visits and parliamentary debates in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom.

Mission and Activities

The association’s mission encompasses commemoration tied to actions including the Battle of San Carlos, veteran welfare similar to services provided by the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, and family support comparable to programmes run by the SSAFA and the Royal Air Force Association. Activities range from maintaining memorials in places like Stanley (Falkland Islands) and participating in ceremonies at the National Memorial Arboretum to arranging reunions for participants from units such as the 1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, the 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, and detachments from the Royal Logistic Corps. The association documents personal accounts alongside oral histories similar to the archives of the Imperial War Museums and cooperates with researchers from institutions like the King’s College London Department of War Studies.

Membership and Structure

Membership includes former servicemen and servicewomen from branches such as the British Army, the Royal Air Force, and the Royal Navy, as well as family members of those killed at engagements like the Battle of Two Sisters and casualties from incidents such as the Atlantic Conveyor loss. The governance structure mirrors trustee frameworks found in charities registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales and often involves roles comparable to chairs, treasurers, and secretaries who liaise with bodies like the Veterans UK and the Parliamentary Armed Forces Forum. Regional chapters have formed in locales including Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and overseas among expatriate communities in cities such as Buenos Aires and Montevideo.

Events and Commemorations

The association organises annual commemorations on dates linked to the Falklands War order of battle, ceremonies at regimental memorials such as the Royal Marines Memorial, wreath-laying at cemeteries like the Commonwealth War Graves Commission sites on the islands, and participation in national events like Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph, London. It sponsors lectures and exhibitions featuring testimonies related to operations including amphibious landings at San Carlos Water and helicopter operations undertaken by units like the Army Air Corps and the Fleet Air Arm. Collaborations have included veteran-led projects with the National Maritime Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, and university initiatives documenting the conflict’s social impacts.

Advocacy and Welfare Services

The association provides casework addressing physical and mental health needs reflecting concerns treated by the NHS England and military mental health services such as those in the Defence Medical Services. It campaigns on issues including veteran pensions, recognition for campaign medals like the South Atlantic Medal, and inquiries into incidents involving vessels such as HMS Ardent. The group has provided support for families bereaved by actions including the Sinking of the Belgrano and has engaged with legal and forensic organisations analogous to the Historical Investigations Unit to assist in repatriation and commemoration matters.

Relationship with Government and Military Organizations

The association liaises with governmental entities such as the Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom), Members of Parliament across parties represented in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, and devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales. It maintains links with military organizations including the Royal British Legion, the Veterans’ Advisory and Pensions Committee, and regimental associations like the Parachute Regiment Association. Internationally, it interacts with the Falkland Islands Government, diplomatic missions such as the British Embassy, Buenos Aires, and cross-border stakeholders including Argentine veterans’ associations and human rights organisations involved in post-conflict reconciliation efforts.

Category:Veterans' organisations in the United Kingdom Category:Falklands War