It is with deep sadness we share the news that Michael Hanson, beloved brother of Peter Hanson, passed away on Sunday 3rd August 2025.

This month at HMS Collingwood, a quiet but poignant ceremony took place—a tree planting that not only marks environmental renewal but also stands as a living tribute to three young Electronic Warfare sailors who trained there before deploying to war and making the ultimate sacrifice, in particular AB(EW) Stephen Heyes on HMS Ardent.

Members of the HMS Ardent Association gathered in Plymouth for a powerful and poignant reunion weekend, marked by remembrance, camaraderie, and reflection.

Ardent Association members, families and friends of the fallen gathered together to remember our 22 fallen shipmates from the 1982 Falklands Conflict. As always Plymouth Hoe was at the centre of the tributes but our shipmates were also honoured and remembered at other events around the country.

Wacker and Pauline Payne were fortunate to attend the official VE Day 80th Anniversary concert at Horse Guards Parade on Thursday 8th May. A spectacular and moving tribute to those who endured and triumphed through the Second World War.

On 9 May 1975, HMS Ardent (F184) was launched with ceremony and pride at Yarrow Shipbuilders on the River Clyde. Her bow was christened by HRH The Duchess of Gloucester. Sleek, modern, and full of promise, ARDENT was the seventh of the Royal Navy’s new Type 21 frigates destined for global service.

This photograph captures HMS Ardent (F184) departing HMNB Devonport on 19 April 1982, bound for the South Atlantic as part of the UK’s Task Force responding to the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands. It was the ship’s final departure.

ARDENTs around the UK attended Remembrance Day events making sure the memories of our 22 fallen shipmates are kept alive as well as honouring the sacrifices made by those who served in the armed forces and acknowledges the profound impact of war on the country and its communities.

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.

Shipmate Les Pearce passed away in June 2024, his funeral will be held at 16:00 on Tuesday 9 July at Gilroes Cemetery and Crematorium in Leicester.

On June 14th 2024, a ceremonial raising of the Falklands Flag in Milford Haven was held to honour the legacy of HMS Ardent and its veterans, further cementing the profound bond between the ship's survivors and the town of Milford Haven. The 14th is also celebrated in the Falklands as Liberation Day. It commemorates the liberation of the Falkland Islanders from Argentine military occupation and the end of the Falklands War in 1982.

Around the UK and in the Falklands our 22 shipmates were remembered on the 42nd anniversary of the loss of HMS Ardent during the Battle for Falkland Sound on the 21 May 1982.

Hello, everybody, I I'm very sad that I didn't make the reunion this year. But no doubt, as you're aware, my darling Rosie has been quite ill. And I missed it for a couple of years now, I wanted to just say a few words to you all, having not seen you for some time.

Association members, families of the fallen and cadets and officers from T.S. Ardent gathered at the HMS Ardent Association anchor memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum to remember our 22 fallen shipmates killed in action during the Battle of Falkland Sound on 21 May 1982.

A mistake with the spelling of a fallen Falklands veteran on the Plymouth Maritime Memorial on Plymouth Hoe has now been corrected after a project led by Association committee member Stephen “Wyatt” Earp.

The HMS Ardent Association congratulates our patron, the Duchess of Gloucester, who has been made a Royal Lady Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter on St George’s Day, the 23 April 2024.

It is with deep regret and sadness that we announce the passing of shipmate Ken Bonning.

After ten years of leading T.S. Ardent ( Bollington and Macclesfield Sea Cadets) the 29th January 2024 was Lieutenant (SCC) Karen Black’s last night in command handing over to Sub Lieutenant (SCC) Alex Palfreyman.

It is with sadness and regret to announce the passing of our shipmate David "Buster" Brown recently in Birmingham.

Around the UK ARDENT’s remembered our fallen shipmates on Remembrance Sunday. Wreaths were laid in Sally Port, Portsmouth, Poole and on Plymouth How were the grandson of ex-Antelope crew Bob laid the ARDENT wreath. Young Jack place the wreath on the Falklands memorial on behalf of our Association and for all those others of the Naval Service who were in San Carlos Water on 21 May 1982.