Falklands veterans keep their memories alive

FALLEN COMRADES ARE REMEMBERED

- HENRY JONES & ANDY WASLEY

A VETERAN of the Falklands War has said “not a day goes by” that he does not think about the conflict, ahead of the 40th anniversary of Argentina’s invasion.

The 10-week war claimed the lives of 255 British personnel, three civilian Falkland Islanders, and 649 Argentinian personnel.

Christopher Howe, now 65, was a Petty Officer onboard HMS Coventry. The Royal Navy destroyer was attacked by Argentinian jets on May 25, 1982, and she sank a short while later. Nineteen crew members were killed.

Mr. Howe suffered 27% burns in the attack and spoke to the Press Association about his experience. He said: “I’m here to tell the story, and 19 shipmates aren’t. I’ve learned to deal with it

“There’s not a day goes by that I don’t think about what happened then – you can’t help it. I used to have a lot of silent periods when I went into my own. I don’t know where I went, I was thinking of what had happened. Why was I lucky? Why did I escape? Why did 19 of my shipmates lose their lives?

“I take some pleasure from the fact that awareness is there 40 years on. We must never forget. They made a sacrifice and, as we say, ‘we gave our today for your tomorrow’.”