Exactly 40 years ago this week, the Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram ships were attacked in the South Atlantic, one of the key moments of the Falklands Conflict, claiming the lives of 56 lives, 32 of them Welsh Guards.
As a mark of respect to all those who lost their lives during that attack, and during the entire 1982 Falklands Conflict, a 40th anniversary commemoration service, organised by the East Glamorgan branch of the Welsh Guards and supported by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, has taken place at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, Pontypridd.
The attack on the Sir Galahad occurred in Bluff Cove, Falkland Islands, on June 8, 1982. The anniversary service was held at the Falklands War Memorial at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park. The memorial stone, situated in the War Memorial Garden, honours those from the Taff Ely area who gave their lives in the battle of the Falkland Islands in the cause of freedom.
Councillor Maureen Webber, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Deputy Leader and Armed Forces Champion, said: “It is important that we mark this day as so many people lost their lives during the Falklands Conflict, including some residents of Rhondda Cynon Taf. Today we remember them all and send our thoughts and condolences to their families.
“We owe such a huge debt of gratitude to all of our Armed Forces, Past and Present, and their families. This Council will continue to do all that it can to support them.”
On April 2, 1982, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory in the South Atlantic, leading to a brief but bitter war, lasting 72 days.
During the fighting that followed, 649 Argentine and 255 British servicemen lost their lives, as did three Falkland Islanders. British forces regained the Falklands on June 14, 1982.
A total of 48 men aboard the Sir Galahad died in Bluff Cove on Tuesday, June 8, 1982, 32 of whom were Welsh Guards. Many more were injured. The destruction of the Sir Galahad by Skyhawk jets came just six days before the end of the Falklands War. A further eight men aboard the Sir Tristam, another support ship, also died during the attack.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council continues to support its Armed Forces community, past and present. It was one of the first local authorities in Wales to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant in 2012, a commitment that was reaffirmed in 2018.
The Council’s Veteran Advice service provides free, impartial, dedicated information, advice and support to members of the Armed Forces Community within Rhondda Cynon Taf. The service covers a range of areas, including Benefits, Adult Social Care, Finances, Employment and Housing.
The Council’s Veteran Advice Service
The Local Authority was presented with the Ministry of Defence’s prestigious Gold Award in 2017 in recognition of its approach to supporting the Armed Forces community locally.
The Rhondda Cynon Taf Veteran Advice Service is available for all past and present Armed Forces personnel and their families. Email:
VeteransService@rctcbc.gov.uk or call 07747 485 619 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm).
Posted on 09/06/2022