Thousands of veterans, civilians, and bereaved families will be invited to attend an event at the National Memorial Arboretum on Tuesday 14 June to mark 40 years since the end of the conflict. Our commemorations will focus on the broad range of military and civilian involvement in all aspects of the Falklands campaign, which was unprecedented in modern times.
The Falklands Conflict started on 2 April 1982 and was the first military action since the Second World War that utilised all elements of the Armed Forces. The conflict lasted 74 days, during which seven ships were lost to enemy action, nine aircraft were shot down, and 255 British personnel lost their lives. Their names are all inscribed on the Armed Forces Memorial at the Arboretum.
Commemorations will take place around the country from April 2022 and culminate in the Royal British Legion’s Falklands 40 Commemorative Event on 14th June at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
On the morning of the event there will be an opportunity for unit associations to conduct intimate commemorations at their respective memorials within the Arboretum. In the afternoon, the Royal British Legion will hold a special, commemorative event centred around the Armed Forces Memorial. This will feature veteran testimonies from key moments in the conflict as well as the Act of Remembrance.
This event will bring together the experiences of veterans of the conflict from across all three of the Armed Services, as well as those Merchant Mariners and other civilians that played a pivotal role in supporting the Task Force.
Attendees/Eligibility
The Falklands 40 commemorative event is open to veterans of the Falklands Conflict and their spouses/partners, as well as members of civilian organisations that supported the Task Force.
Registration
Registration for the Falklands 40 commemorative event will open on 4 February, with accreditation being led by the respective military and civilian associations. The window for registration will run until 29 April 2022. Those wishing to attend the event on 14 June 2022 are asked to contact their respective Regimental or Service Association to register their interest.
