Blades Scarf on Falklands War Memorial

[Tarkus]

Fascinating journey.
I'd love to know the type of plane on which you flew.
If is was an RAF plane , how did the experience compare to a normal commercial flight ?
You say 30 hours "door to door" but how long was the flight to the Ascensions , how long to refuel + how long the last leg to Stanley ?

I doubt I will ever make such a journey , so interested in your experience !

Morning Keen Blade

Aircraft was an Airbus 330 operated by Air Tanker - only 200 seats on board as it also takes cargo.

Flight to Ascension is 9 hours, off the plane with all your gear for 2 hours while it is refuelled and then 9 hours again to Mount Pleasant on outskirts of Stanley.
All military airport bases so very strict processes at the airports and on the plane itself - zero alcohol, no photography etc.

You have to allow 8 hours from Sheffield to departure in Oxfordshire as check in is 4 hours before take off and at the other end its circa 2 hours to Stanley as the road to the airport is currently being resurfaced so was 10 mph for some of the journey.

The Mount Pleasant airport was built after the Falklands conflict - the old one is now used for flights from Stanley to several of the Islands (which we used twice) and is operated by FIGAS (Falkland Islands Government Air Services)

 

[Mumbo]

My lad has to do a tour at the end of the year , its between UAE Minhad ,or the Falklands ,for 4 months ,he finds out next month.
My best female friend at the time lost her brother in the Falklands. Rob Griffin was blown up as the were manning landing craft at Goose Green, they were bombed by Argentinian aircraft.
I was 20 at the time, never really known war or death and it proper shook me up. Times were different then and the Falklands were a massive shock to everyone.

I knew Rob well,lived on western road Crookes.
We used to race down the middle of the road on home made trolleys made from old pram wheels.

 

[Silent Blade]

Did we play Newport at home soon after as I seem to remember them not obeying a minutes silence?

Newport at home in last game of the season was 2 years later

 

[sitwell]

I knew Rob well,lived on western road Crookes.
We used to race down the middle of the road on home made trolleys made from old pram wheels.

I was very close with his sister Joanne , she lived on South Rd at Walkley. It was a horrendous time and probably changed all our lives.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

It's strange how all our memories don't all align when we try to remember the same events.

My recollection of the sinking of HMS Sheffield is walking up Woodhead Road AFTER the night match and a guy walking in the opposite direction telling people about the sinking.

I don't recall any minutes silence before the match.

The news of the invasion of the Falklands by the Argies appeared as the last item on the radio news. It seemed so insignificant.
As days and weeks went by the story became more serious and obviously became the most important news item.

When I first heard the news of the invasion I couldn't understand why the Argies had invaded an island in Scotland. (I didn't do well in geography)

Thanks to the OP.

I think your recollection is right. On second thought, I think it was in the car after the match we heard it on the radio in the car. Probably the next match had the subdued atmosphere

 

[Sithblade]

I was only 10 in 82 but my grandparents had a pub near Dronfield, a regular was in the Marines and went down. When he returned from the Falklands there was a celebration in the pub and a flag he "acquired" from there was stuck up on the pub ceiling. He also gave me a green beret and copies of photos taken during the conflict but unfortunately no longer have them.

 

[davey1889]

Thanks. Was it the same day? I'm pretty sure that an announcement was made on the tannoy and probably a minute's silence before KO, although I don't specifically remember that but seems logical that there would have been.

The missile struck just after 2pm UK time on May 4th. Ian MacDonald didn't make the announcement until the evening of the same day, while the match was actually underway. Most people found out on the evening news bulletins that night.

 

[Grey Blade]

I was living in Orkney at the time of the Falklands War and being on an island surrounded by relics of the Second World War, I think locally we felt a strong connection with the islanders of the Falklands.
IIRC the the BBC broke into a televised World Cup Match to announce the Argentine surrender

 

[CrookesBlade]

Just out of interest. What was your Dads name?

I’m half guessing the initials HS

SC. Was there late 70s til about 10 years ago teaching science.

 

[Keen Blade]

It's strange how all our memories don't all align when we try to remember the same events.

My recollection of the sinking of HMS Sheffield is walking up Woodhead Road AFTER the night match and a guy walking in the opposite direction telling people about the sinking.

I don't recall any minutes silence before the match.

The news of the invasion of the Falklands by the Argies appeared as the last item on the radio news. It seemed so insignificant.
As days and weeks went by the story became more serious and obviously became the most important news item.

When I first heard the news of the invasion I couldn't understand why the Argies had invaded an island in Scotland. (I didn't do well in geography)

Thanks to the OP.

If you've never heard of the Falklands. it's a logical assumption that they're in Scotland with Falkirk as the big town.

 

[Weasel]

Reg Brearley mentions this (I assume same scarf) in an article in either one of the programmes or maybe an end of season review around 83 or 84. Probably got it somewhere

It was the foreword in the 83-84 promotion publication (I think Glen Cockerill arms aloft after scoring is on the front page). He mentioned about seeing a lone Blades scarf on a grave in the South Atlantic.

He also mentioned about the Junior Blade who died whilst out looking for conkers, and how he felt like he was his son.

Reg could be a bit of a shady chap with his business dealings, but his heart was in the right place.

 

[North anston blade]

Just returned from an 8 day stay in the Falkland Islands with a fellow Blade who was a Falkland War veteran serving on HMS Arrow - we stayed at the Veterans Lodge in Stanley.
Purpose of our visit was to visit some of the Falkland's war sites/memorials (including the HMS Sheffield memorial on Sea Lion Island) and also take the opportunity to witness some of the Islands incredible wildlife.

On our final day we took the difficult off-road journey to Campito Hill at the far side of East Falkland to visit the memorial to my mates sister ship HMS Ardent that was sank below the hill in San Carlos Waters.
We were very moved to find an aging Blades scarf attached to the memorial (see attached photos)

On returning to the Lodge we did some look ups there and google searches and we believe the scarf was most likely dedicated to a young man called Shaun Hanson who was killed on 21st May 1982 along with 21 of his comrades on HMS Ardent. We found out that Shaun attended Ecclesfield school and was a lifelong Blades supporter.

More moving for us was that we found out that in memory of his bravery, in 2022 he was honoured with the naming of 'Hanson Bay' at Second Passage in the Passage Islands Group, West Falkland.

Thought this might be of interest to some of the more senior members of this Forum.

I sailed into alley aboard HMS Arrow the sister ship of Ardent and Antelope and had to watch Antelope burning and sinking ( her wreck is marked by a buoy and a diver goes down to the wreck every year to replace the Ensign flag ). I was spared seeing Ardent but the sadness felt was no less. It was an honour to visit the memorial to them both last week to pay my respects and raise a glass! I was gob smacked to see the Blades scarf which helped lighten the moment. On X my post has all but reached 1000 likes

 

[North anston blade]

HMS Sheffield was hit by an Argentinian Exocet missile. Twenty people died and 26 were injured. It was the first Royal Navy warship to have been lost in combat since WWII.

I was on board HMS Arrow when Sheffield was hit and we went alongside her to give assistance with firefighting for many hours. I had to watch the horror unfold as she burnt and smoked with the crew finally abandoning ship and jumping on to Arrow. She didn't actually sink until a few days later whilst shipping too much water under tow. That day is etched into my very soul and made all the harder with her connection to our city

 

[Zipwire]

SC. Was there late 70s til about 10 years ago teaching science.

I can’t think of who it might be, I’m quite good at remembering stuff can’t remember who it might be, I did leave 30 years back though

 

[Peezablade]

I can’t think of who it might be, I’m quite good at remembering stuff can’t remember who it might be, I did leave 30 years back though

He must have taught me too then.
I knew Shaun Hanson well enough to remember him and I know that his mates from that time still attend BDTBL. His name is on the war memorial in Ecclesfield churchyard.

 

[Rufus Smalls]

I was an Engineering apprentice in 1982 when the Falklands War was on (had a few mates out there in various roles).

The Company I was working for at the time put on a full day visit early 82’ for Captain Salt and the crew of HMS Sheffield. Part of the visit included the Captain and the whole crew walking around the factory to see the production process and stop to ask questions of the workers.

It still chills me now to think some of those happy, chatty young lads in their smart uniforms that I saw walking through the factory (some a similar age to me) went out to the conflict and never came back.

RIP.

 

[Deadbat]

A poster formerly of this parish - Pommpey Blade asked me to pop these up below as it relates to this thread.

---

The attached pics are of me at the Mount Campito East Falkland Type 21 memorial in January 1994 in my Blades training top, and another one at Ajax Bay hospital (abandoned) which some Blades legend had painted appropriately.

Pommpey

 

[fintious maximus]

I’m ex RAF and served at Mt Pleasant (MPA) in 2000, way after the conflict. A beautiful island and very humbling to visit the battle sites. Mount Longden with the para memorial. Flew out and back on VC10 and stopped at Ascension to refuel where we had to get off the plane and wait in the cage until reboarding. Would love to go back some day. MoD used to do cheap flights for forces and ex forces to military places overseas but not sure if they still do.

 

[North anston blade]

Yes they do, as a veteran of the war it only cost me £256 return last week and a tad less 2 years ago

I’m ex RAF and served at Mt Pleasant (MPA) in 2000, way after the conflict. A beautiful island and very humbling to visit the battle sites. Mount Longden with the para memorial. Flew out and back on VC10 and stopped at Ascension to refuel where we had to get off the plane and wait in the cage until reboarding. Would love to go back some day. MoD used to do cheap flights for forces and ex forces to military places overseas but not sure if they still do.

 

[North anston blade]

I seem to recall coming out of the ground as the word was passed round that Sheffield had been hit. Pretty certain it wasn’t before the game.

 

[SW12 to S12 to S18]

I seem to remember going into The Sportsman after the Rochdale game and hearing the news. It sobered us all up.

 

[Keen Blade]

Morning Keen Blade

Aircraft was an Airbus 330 operated by Air Tanker - only 200 seats on board as it also takes cargo.

Flight to Ascension is 9 hours, off the plane with all your gear for 2 hours while it is refuelled and then 9 hours again to Mount Pleasant on outskirts of Stanley.
All military airport bases so very strict processes at the airports and on the plane itself - zero alcohol, no photography etc.

You have to allow 8 hours from Sheffield to departure in Oxfordshire as check in is 4 hours before take off and at the other end its circa 2 hours to Stanley as the road to the airport is currently being resurfaced so was 10 mph for some of the journey.

The Mount Pleasant airport was built after the Falklands conflict - the old one is now used for flights from Stanley to several of the Islands (which we used twice) and is operated by FIGAS (Falkland Islands Government Air Services)

Thanks very much for that

 

[Zipwire]

I sailed into alley aboard HMS Arrow the sister ship of Ardent and Antelope and had to watch Antelope burning and sinking ( her wreck is marked by a buoy and a diver goes down to the wreck every year to replace the Ensign flag ). I was spared seeing Ardent but the sadness felt was no less. It was an honour to visit the memorial to them both last week to pay my respects and raise a glass! I was gob smacked to see the Blades scarf which helped lighten the moment. On X my post has all but reached 1000 likes View attachment 204138

Fascinating stuff. I’ve got a real interest in the Falklands war.


One of my old colleagues at work was on HMS Antelope and he has told the story of how it all happened. He was only a teenager himself away at sea for the first time when he went to the the Falklands.

My uncle was on HMS Penelope and he has told me stories of what it was like out there too.

 

[Sleafordblade]

I spent 7 months in the Falklands as the conflict was ending with the joy of sailing down from Ascension Island . A long 10 days on a requisitioned cruise ship in force 10 seas on a flat bottomed boat.
My eldest son was born on 4th may 1982 the day HMS Sheffield was sunk so always a bitter sweet day for us.
I also sailed back on the hospital ship SS Uganda.
Many years later I did a 6 month tour on Ascension islands which was pure heaven compared to Stanley.

 

[Sleafordblade]

Morning Keen Blade

Aircraft was an Airbus 330 operated by Air Tanker - only 200 seats on board as it also takes cargo.

Flight to Ascension is 9 hours, off the plane with all your gear for 2 hours while it is refuelled and then 9 hours again to Mount Pleasant on outskirts of Stanley.
All military airport bases so very strict processes at the airports and on the plane itself - zero alcohol, no photography etc.

You have to allow 8 hours from Sheffield to departure in Oxfordshire as check in is 4 hours before take off and at the other end its circa 2 hours to Stanley as the road to the airport is currently being resurfaced so was 10 mph for some of the journey.

The Mount Pleasant airport was built after the Falklands conflict - the old one is now used for flights from Stanley to several of the Islands (which we used twice) and is operated by FIGAS (Falkland Islands Government Air Services)

Glad you had a great trip and made it back with many memories

 

[singaporeblade]

Thanks much Crookes

My mate organised this via his past veteran status - we flew from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, refuelled at the RAF base in the Ascension Islands and onwards to the RAF main airport at Mount Pleasant in Stanley.

The Falklanders are so keen to receive veterans (many have passed on now or are just too old for a 30 hour door to door journey) and their families and friends.

Veterans of the 1982 Falklands conflict are treated almost like royalty out there and as a consequence everything is either done for free or capped at a very low cost.

In all honesty I felt both privileged and humbled to accompany my mate - he is a true diamond. One that goes out of his way to lay tributes at several memorials on behalf of UK veterans who cannot make out there, has a sip of port in tribute to them and send the photographs back home to them.

He is old school and has the best values of any person I have known.

Brings back so many memories. A friend of mine (actually a very mild 'Wednesday' fan if he had to choose between the two.... and one of few i can call friends) was a marine and laned on the Island very early on. Some harrowing tales he told me about. Anyone my age surely used to wake up early each day dreading what news we might hear due to the time difference.

 

[Jon B]

I was very close with his sister Joanne , she lived on South Rd at Walkley. It was a horrendous time and probably changed all our lives.

2022, the 40th Anniversary of Rob Griffin's death. Presentation at St Matthew's Church on Carver Street of Drum Major Mace to the Sea Cadets unit in which Rob had been Drum Major. Jo is stood immediately in front of the White Ensign. An islet in the Falklands is named after Rob.

The Landing Craft, Foxtrot Four, on which Rob died was the last Royal Navy vessel lost in the conflict. The survivors were lifted off but it then sank whilst under tow. Earlier in the campaign Foxtrot Four had rescued many men from the stricken HMS Antelope.

I remember how the war put football joys/woes in perspective.

 

[Weatewed]

Another Blade killed in the Falklands was Pashley (john)? Used to drink in the Cross Guns on Sharrow lane. I used to pal about with his younger brother. Sure some others on here will remember him.

I grew up around there and am aware of him. I used to drink in the Cross Guns for a while too. I never knew him though.

 

[BangorBlade]

Just returned from an 8 day stay in the Falkland Islands with a fellow Blade who was a Falkland War veteran serving on HMS Arrow - we stayed at the Veterans Lodge in Stanley.
Purpose of our visit was to visit some of the Falkland's war sites/memorials (including the HMS Sheffield memorial on Sea Lion Island) and also take the opportunity to witness some of the Islands incredible wildlife.

On our final day we took the difficult off-road journey to Campito Hill at the far side of East Falkland to visit the memorial to my mates sister ship HMS Ardent that was sank below the hill in San Carlos Waters.
We were very moved to find an aging Blades scarf attached to the memorial (see attached photos)

On returning to the Lodge we did some look ups there and google searches and we believe the scarf was most likely dedicated to a young man called Shaun Hanson who was killed on 21st May 1982 along with 21 of his comrades on HMS Ardent. We found out

I sailed into alley aboard HMS Arrow the sister ship of Ardent and Antelope and had to watch Antelope burning and sinking ( her wreck is marked by a buoy and a diver goes down to the wreck every year to replace the Ensign flag ). I was spared seeing Ardent but the sadness felt was no less. It was an honour to visit the memorial to them both last week to pay my respects and raise a glass! I was gob smacked to see the Blades scarf which helped lighten the moment. On X my post has all but reached 1000 likes View attachment 204138

Hard to beat the 21 Club shippers
to all those still on watch in the South Atlantic fair winds ship mates.

 

[North anston blade]

Fascinating stuff. I’ve got a real interest in the Falklands war.


One of my old colleagues at work was on HMS Antelope and he has told the story of how it all happened. He was only a teenager himself away at sea for the first time when he went to the the Falklands.

My uncle was on HMS Penelope and he has told me stories of what it was like out there too.

Thanks for sharing