The Falklands war of 1982

THE speaker at the Loughborough & District Philatelic Society meeting on Thursday, March 12, was Mr. Gerald Marriner FRPS. Gerald is no stranger, as he has presented a number of excellent displays to the society over the years. The last one was on April 11.

His title of this evenings display was “Falklands ’82 Mail”. Gerald said that his display consisted of four main areas. 1) Postage between Argentina and the Falklands; 2) Mainly British post; 3) Postage during the occupation, and 4) Between Argentina and its Troops. Gerald the produced a map of the Falkland Islands.

He said that there were two main islands West Falkland and East Falkland. Most of his display would be concentrated on the West Island as this was the main area where the Falklands War took place. His first sheets however consisted of pre-war items.

The first item was a picture postcard of an Argentine Naval Vessel of 1905. A 1933 Official Registered cover from Stanley, (the capital), to Uruguay came next. Some surcharged covers to Argentina in 1953.

A 1979 Cover from Argentina to the Governor of “Islas Malvinas”. In 1979, problems arose between Britain and Argentina, with Argentina imposing numerous restrictions. During this time Switzerland was asked to handle British affairs and Gerald displayed a rare 1979 cover to the Falklands Governor. War was declared on the 2nd April 1982 when Argentina invaded The West Falklands and South Georgia. Ascension Islands provide a station for British troops and a supply depot.

Another rare item was displayed with a letter to Rear Admiral ‘Sandy’ Woodward, who was appointed the Task Force Commanding Officer. Gerald then produced postcards showing photographs of nearly all the vessels that took part in the War.

These included Aircraft Carrier HMS Hermes, Arrow, Canberra, Coventry, Fearless, Glasgow, Invincible, Sir Galahad and the QEII, to name but a few. He then produced several items from some of these ships. Including a letter from the QEII, a Telegram from HMS Glasgow to Havant. A commercial cover from the ill -fated HMS Coventry, (the only known commercial mail to survive) and some covers between the Captains of the ships taking part.

Gerald then ended his first-half by displaying some rare items from the actual occupation. For example, a cover sent out on the first morning of the actual landing of the Task Force at Ajax Bay with a field Post Office number 141. The only known censored letter from a British soldier to the UK, with certain items crossed out. Letters from RHMS Darwin addressed to the Chaplain, dated 1st June and 12th June.

The war ended 14th June 1982. On the 28th June, over 1,800 Argentine prisoners of war were returned to their homeland. In his second-half Gerald concentrated on “Liberated” mail and the aftermath of war. His first items were those that used the Military Field Post Office number 141 and included a cover from a Frank Mitchell to a London Company, one from a civilian to the UK, another was a Philatelic Cover from Stanley to London and one from a Dr. Edwards, who was on the HMS Sir Galahad, when it was blown-up.

It was noted that some mail dated 1983 sent by the U.S.A had “Falklands” crossed out and “Islas Malvinas” inserted. The Argentine authorities still not recognising the Falklands Islands postal address! Another was an item from the Goose Green Medical Centre. Another set of unusual items were covers sent from the Falklands in 1985 to the UK, via the British Embassy in Dakhow! He then concluded by showing a number of covers to Argentina during the first few weeks of their occupation. Namely a cover dated 2nd April 1982 with a letter carrying the Fox Bay date stamp, was sent from Port Stanley using Argentine stamps. On the 6th April 1982 a further cover was sent from the Argentine Post Office in Stanley to Buenos Airies and some commercial mail sent on the 8th and 9th April.

As the war progressed, a shortage of Argentine covers meant that they had to use the Falkland covers that had to be amended “Islas Malvinas”. Some patriotic mail sent with letters from Argentina to their soldiers, plus some scarce Argentine Military covers, including some very scarce items to the Naval Forces and to the Air Forces. His last items included an item from the “Penguin News”, produced by the Falklanders at the end of the war.

The President, Chas Ford gave the vote-of-thanks, who said that once more Gerald had produced a fantastic display. He was to be congratulated on his meticulous research, its quality and on the items that he had never known had existed. The next meeting will be on 26th March when Mike Siverns will present “Military India”.