Falkland Islands Association Liberation Day Reception – 14 June 2026
On Sunday 14 June 2026 the Falkland Islands Association and guests were the guest of South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum for this year’s Reception.
Deborah Northwood, Marketing and Facebook, and Keith Angus, Treasurer, took the lead on arranging the day alongside Alan Beattie, Chairman, Bill Fern and their team of volunteers from the Museum and the resulting day was an excellent combination experience of reminiscing, learning, sharing, meeting friends, old and new, and honouring all Veterans of the Falklands Conflict. The FIA are very grateful to all involved and most impressed with the resulting event.
We welcomed Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Rosie), Michael Betts, Deputy Representative at the Falkland Islands Government Office (FIGO), Dave Roe, 3 Para B Company, Carol Marshall, Association Madame Chair for HMS Hermes, Father Gus O’Reilly, former Parish Priest, FIA members of EXCO, FIA Members, Veterans and Guests.
The Museum kindly gave everyone free entry to the Museum from 1000 hours and at 1230 FIA Chairman, Russell La Forte, welcomed those present followed by Alan Beattie and Michael Betts who thanked the veterans of the Liberation. There was a wonderful lunch prepared by Tracy at the museum and everyone was welcome to tour the museum at their leisure. A lucky few, including Michael Betts, FIGO, took their turn in the Vulcan cockpit.
There is also a working representation of HMS Hermes on display that was made by Rex Hunt (namesake of Sir Rex Hunt, former Governor) – please see video at the end of the post.
The dedication and care of the Museum team is apparent in every section of the separate exhibits and they have build a separate Falklands Conflict Memorial alongside the Northern Battle of Britain Memorial.
At 1430 everyone began to congregate around the Falklands Conflict Memorial and could see the Commemoration Event in Stanley on two television screens. Father Gus stepped in and kindly said a few words around the laying of the wreaths on the screen while wreaths were laid at the Memorial at the Museum. The wreath layers were led by Russell La Forte, Chairman of the FIA and Michael Betts, Deputy Representative at FIGO. One wreath was hand knitted and a stunning example of skill.
After the Act of Remembrance all were welcome to continue their visit around the museum and people headed home after a day to remember.
We encourage you to visit the museum, especially the Falklands Conflict exhibit: it is worth the visit.
To see the video of the HMS Hermes Representation, please click on the link below.
