Gordon Ramsey - The Falklands War: Then and Now

They are few in number, but they have the right to live in peace, to choose their own way of life and to determine their own allegiance.

RT HON. MARGARET THATCHER, APRIL 3, 1982

There are many whose help has made this book possible and without whom it would not exist. First and foremost are those veterans from both sides who gave most generously of their time in delving into often painful memories and dusty drawers for information and photographs.

Our most prolific photographers were Graham Colbeck and David Morgan. Both had the foresight to arm themselves with as much film as they could lay their hands on before sailing and history is so much the richer as a result. David has been an endless source of help and advice, putting us in touch with Hector Sanchez, his aerial adversary on June 8, 1982. Hector, too, was a most patient and willing collaborator, ably helped in translation by his wife, Ines, daughter Leire and compatriot Maxi Gainza. The latter originally put Hector in touch with David, facilitating one of those heartfelt reconciliations of adversaries that always gives hope to military historians. We felt it appropriate that they contribute our Foreword and Afterword and both agreed to do so.

Many other Operation Corporate veterans and regimental archives were of help in compiling a suitable selection of photos with which to arm ourselves on our 2006 pilgrimage to the islands. In no particular order, The Scots Guards (Lance-Corporal Kevin Gorman); Gavin Edgerley-Harris of the Gurkha Museum; The Welsh Guards (P. J. Pownall); The Royal Artillery Historical Trust (Mark Smith) and Lieutenant-Colonel Will Townend, also of the RA, who was a captain on the staff of 5 Infantry Brigade in 1982 and gave invaluable help besides loaning us his collection of slides he took in spare moments off duty. Rick Jolly of Ajax Bay fame, who should need no introduction as 3 Commando Brigades senior medical officer, gave enthusiastically of his time and incredible photographic memory. Other ex-servicemen who were of great help were Tim Lynch (656 Squadron, AAC); Clive Pattle (45 Commando); Tony McNally (12 Air Defence Regiment, Royal Artillery); Vince Bramley (3 Para); Glenn Manning (NP 1840, Atlantic Conveyor); Len Baines (3 Para); Clive Chapman (2 Para); Chris Bryan (NP 8901, Royal Marines); Jerry Pook and Jeff Glover (both 1 Squadron, RAF); Eon Matthews (HMS Glamorgan); Norman Hood and Peter Stanley (both post-war RAF); Toby Owen (HMS Coventry) and especially Tina Hawkins (widow of Flight Lieutenant Garth Hawkins, RAF).

Other assistance was given by Brigadier Richard Chapman; Jon Cooksey; Les Hamilton; Ken Johnston; Suki Cameron; Moira Gittos and David Morris of the Fleet Air Arm Museum; Mark Higgitt; John Ambler of the Royal Marines Museum; Denis Bateman; Andy Saunders; Jenny Cockwell; Jean Paul Pallud and Karel Margry.

A special thank you must go to another army of photographers this time civilian ones who spent many hours tramping around cemeteries and museums. Jimmy Paull, a long time business associate now retired, has made several trips to the Falklands and he allowed us free use of his pictures, besides taking others especially for us as did his travel colleague, Ron Redmayne. Steve Casely photographed museum exhibits at Yeovil College and the Fleet Air Arm Museum as well as spending many hours photographing graves, as did Elaine Davis, Stuart Fagan, Donald Ford, Andrew Gowland, John Makin John Molyneux, Andrew Muncaster, Marjory Nicholson, Alistair and Helen Niven, Philip Price and Alan Steele. My father Winston, besides endless hours proof-reading, visited many other cemeteries in search of the final resting places of the fallen with his fiance Gail and to both of them I am especially indebted.