Remembrance Sunday 2022
As a tribute to the Falklands 40th anniversary members of the HMS Ardent Association, including family members of the fallen, marched as one platoon at the Cenotaph. Organised by one of our founding members, Tony Ray stating “It is felt that to mark the 40th anniversary of the Falkland Conflict and the formation of our own Association it would be a fitting tribute to our fallen shipmates. It is hoped that a full representation of the membership would march including family members of our fallen shipmates or representatives of each family. At this stage, it is not envisaged that this will be an annual event but a one off to mark the anniversary. For future years members may wish to revert to marching with SAMA82 or the Type 21 club as they desire.”
Everyone that took part agreed it was a poignant and rewarding day, a perfect end to the Falklands 40th events around the country.
The McAulay Family
At the end of the Cenotaph event the Association presented the McAulay family with a memento of HMS Ardent. This was the static load test plate for the hanger helicopter winch that had been removed for updating but ARDENT sailed for the Falklands before it could be returned. Barbara is the widower of AEM(N)1 Allan McAulay who was the ARDENT senior Air Engineer, killed in action on the 21 May 1982. Allan’s son Justin (left) has built up an extensive collection of artefacts from the Falklands Conflict in memory of his Father and the Association agreed this was the right home for the test plate.
Images from around the Association on Remembrance Sunday and some candid shots of our Cenotaph Platoon
