People will remember the sacrifices made by those who fought and died in the Falklands War, including two men from Wolverhampton and Walsall, at a service of commemoration today. Air Engineering Mechanic Adrian Anslow of the Royal Navy, who was from Wolverhampton, and Private Mark Dodsworth from the Parachute Regiment, of Walsall, were among the 255 British military personnel who died during the 1982 crisis.
The Central Branch of the City of Wolverhampton Royal British Legion and the Wolverhampton and District United Ex-Service Council will be holding a service of remembrance at St Martin's Church, Dixon Street, Blakenhall on Tuesday (14 June, 2016).
The service begins at 11am and will remember everyone who died or was wounded in action. The names of all Royal Navy and Parachute Regiment personnel killed in the conflict will be read out.
Wolverhampton Mayor Councillor Barry Findlay will be among those paying tribute at the service, which is open to all.
He said: "The service will enable us to remember the sacrifices made by British military personnel who sadly paid the ultimate price in the Falklands War, including Air Engineering Mechanic Adrian Anslow from Wolverhampton and Private Mark Dodsworth of Walsall.
“The nation owes them a debt of gratitude, and I'd encourage as many people as possible to join members of the Royal British Legion and the Ex-Service Council for next week's memorial."
The Falklands War was a 10-week war between Argentina and the United Kingdom over two British overseas territories in the South Atlantic; the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
It began on Friday 2 April 1982 when Argentina invaded and occupied the Falkland Islands. The conflict lasted 74 days and ended with the Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982, returning the islands to British control.
In total, 255 British military personnel, 649 Argentine military personnel and three Falkland Islanders died during the hostilities.
Wolverhampton is a signatory of the Armed Forces Community Covenant, a pledge of mutual support between the city and its Armed Forces community.
It calls on local people to support the Armed Forces community, recognise and remember the sacrifices they have made over the years and encourage activities that help members of the Armed Forces integrate into local life.
It also encourages members of the Armed Forces support the wider community, and promote understanding and awareness among the public of some of the issues faced by former members of the Armed Forces as they return to civilian life.
