Former Royal Marines gather in Arbroath for Falklands reunion

The buglers playing ‘The Last Post’ as veterans and dignitaries attend the memorial service. (Wallace Ferrier)

The 40th Reunion was organised by Col Ian Ballantyne MBE RM and RSM (82) Pat Chapman MBE RM.

A service was held on Saturday morning at The Western cemetery where four of the Royal Marines killed in action during the conflict are interred.

Later that day old comrades met at RM Condor, where they were briefed by the current Commanding Officer, Lt Col Edward Hall MBE RM and current RSM Hamish Robb. The 1982 CO Major General Andrew Whitehead was unable to attend due to ill health, but his second in command, Brigadier Rupert Van Der Horst, gave a speech as did the 1982 RSM Pat Chapman MBE R.M.

On Sunday a service took place within the Woodlands Memorial Gardens on the Condor base. The piper was Paul Mather and leading the parade was The Royal Marine Brass Band. The service was conducted by 45 Commando padre Rev Russel Fralick RN.

A final service from The East of Scotland Royal Marines Association at Barry Buddon’s 13 Oaks memorial gardens remembered the 13 lives lost in the war.

Those remembered were: Sgt Roger Enefer, Sgt Bob Leeming, Cpl Frank Spencer, Cpl Andy Uren, Cpl Peter Fitton, Cpl Ken Evens, LCpl Peter McKay, Mne Paul Callan, Mne Gordon McPherson, Mne John Nowak, Mne Keith Phillips, Mne Dave Wilson, Spr Chris Jones