Major Exhibition provides visitors with an opportunity to reflect upon anniversary of the Falklands War
The Royal Naval Museum in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard announces plans for a major exhibition in 2007 to mark the Navy’s central role in the Falklands War of 1982. ‘Task Force South: The Royal Navy and the Falklands War’ will run from Saturday 31st March 2007 to 29th February 2008.
The exhibition will explain the Navy’s involvement through the stories of some of the 18,000 individuals, from all the naval services, who sailed in the Falklands Task Force of over 100 ships. Men and women from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Queen Alexandra Royal Navy Nursing Service and the Merchant Navy all played a vital role.
Matthew Sheldon, Head of Research Collections at the Museum says, ‘The campaign might have been over in just 11 weeks, but it was an immensely complicated operation. It was also intensely fought; 130 naval personnel were killed, 257 were wounded, and six ships were lost. We aim to bring this home to visitors by focusing on the personal experiences of people with differing roles in the War’
‘This War is still in many people’s minds’, says Dr Colin White, Director of the Royal Naval Museum. ‘The exhibition will naturally include key events like the sinking of the Argentinian cruiser, General Belgrano, and HMS Sheffield and will offer visitors the chance to contribute their own opinions, thoughts and memories.’
The Royal Naval Museum is working closely with its partner museums, the Royal Marines Museum, the Fleet Air Arm Museum and the Royal Navy Submarine Museum. The exhibition will also include material loaned by individuals and other collections from all over the country, including P&O and the National Maritime Museum. The exhibition has attracted over £50,000 in sponsorship, including support from defence companies such as BAE Systems, Chemring, and VT Shipbuilding.
There will be a full programme of events to support the exhibition, including: a major conference, ‘Falklands 25: the Naval Experience’, on 18th-19th May 2007, and a series of talks by veterans of the conflict throughout May.
Task Force South: The Royal Navy and the Falklands War opens on 31st March 2007 andruns until 29th February 2008. Tickets to the Royal Naval Museum are required to visit the exhibition. All inclusive tickets give entry to each of the attractions on site, including HMS Victory, Mary Rose, HMS Warrior 1860, the Royal Naval Museum and Action Stations. Tickets are also available just for the Royal Naval Museum.
The Mary Rose Trust's Chief Executive Rear Admiral John Lippiett has written a personal reflection of the conflict. WAR & PEAS is a book with a difference, containing the raw emotions of letters written between John Lippiett and his wife Jenny during the short but intense Falklands War . She, pregnant and struggling to be brave, is looking after their two children, their errant dog and the peas in the garden, while he, onboard HMS Ambuscade, is battling not only with the enemy, but also with the elements. Hair-raising accounts of missile attacks and a collision are less frightening than the gigantic seas, the ice and storms, and the worry that the ship is breaking up. And there is also the humorous side of life that is always present in the Royal Navy.
