Museum pays tribute to Falklands heroics
It’s the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War – and the conflict is remembered in a new exhibition at Emsworth Museum
Museum officials and volunteers were delighted to welcome Mick Fellows to the North Street museum to open the exhibition, curated by Captain Christopher Morrison.
It was also a chance for members of the ships’ company of HMS Antrim who took part in the successful re-capture of the Falklands to meet up and reminisce.
The exhibition tells the story of Antrim, the Portsmouth-based guided missile
destroyer that was manned predominately by local men. It also focuses on the families they left behind when they sailed to the Falklands.
HMS Antrim led the retaking of South Georgia and her helicopter Humphrey crippled the Argentine submarine Santa Fe – the first such attack in history. The display – which runs until Sunday, May 28 – includes historical artefacts, pictures, documents and items of memorabilia including a ceremonial Argentine flag that was captured from the Santa Fe.
Visitors can watch a film made during the war with the original signal of victory that caused Margaret Thatcher to encourage the nation to “Rejoice, Rejoice”.
Mick Fellows, a Fleet Chief Petty Officer, was a clearance diver trained in mine and bomb disposal and second in command of the Fleet Clearance Team that joined the Task Force in Ascension Island.
For the passage south he had been on the landing ship RFA Sir Tristram but he was transferred by helicopter when HMS Antrim was hit by a 1000lb bomb that failed to explode.
The ship was manoeuvring violently while Mick stabilised the bomb. He hoisted it up on to the flight deck using a block and tackle before jettisoning it over the side, all in a 10-hour operation. At the museum, he relived the drama with the help of a 1.6-metre model of Antrim
Visitors with memories of the war, either as someone who fought or had a family member involved, have the opportunity to record their recollections for future generations.
It can be seen Saturdays, 10am-4.30pm and Sundays 1.30pm-4.30pm. The museum is on the first floor of the building (above the fire station). Admission is free.