Honouring L.Cpl Pat Giffin RM
A mistake with the spelling of fallen Falklands veteran L.Cpl Pat Giffin RM on the Plymouth Maritime Memorial has now been corrected and the memorial rededicated in the presence of his family, veterans and Royal Marine comrades. This was organised by the HMS Ardent Association, the custodians of the memorial.
The name of Royal Marine L/CPL B P Giffin, previously misspelt as 'Griffin,' has been corrected after a dedicated effort led by HMS Ardent Association committee member Stephen "Wyatt" Earp.
The newly corrected plaque was rededicated on Tuesday, 9 July 2024 with a service conducted by the HMS Ardent Association padre, The Reverend Ken Bromage, to honour Lance Corporal Pat Giffin RM. Various dignitaries, including members of the Giffin family, Lt Colonel Cameron MC RM, Major Chris Gill AAC MBE TD, Mr Phil Gilby MBE, Mr Keith Angus, Mrs Lesley Angus, and Mr Andrew Lockett, laid wreaths.
This correction reaffirms the Association's unwavering commitment to honoring those who served and sacrificed during the Falklands War. The project was supported by the Royal Marines Association, South Atlantic Medal Association, and Falkland Islands Association.
The memorial lists the names of those from maritime forces who died in the Falklands War and continues to be a site of annual remembrance events organised by the HMS Ardent Association, the Type 21 Club, and other Falkland veterans. This highlights the HMS Ardent Association's central role in the establishment and maintenance of the memorial.
LCpl. Brett Patrick Giffin was killed in action on 21 May 1982 during the initial landings at Port San Carlos on East Falklands Island when the Gazelle in which he was flying as an observer was shot down killing him and Lt Ken Francis the pilot. “Giff, as he was known to his friends throughout the Corps, was one of our great characters. He brought to us an irrepressible sense of humour and a high degree of professionalism so that any task he was given was undertaken both cheerfully and competently.”
Also killed that day was Sergeant Andy Evans who was the pilot of the second Gazelle helicopter shot down on the 21 May 1982. His Observer, Sergeant Eddy Candlish, survived the action.
