Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Ride of respect honours fallen Falklands heroes
THE daughter of a marine who was killed in the Falklands before she was born was among those paying tribute at a sombre ceremony in Arbroath.
Some 60 veterans rode into the town to pay their respects to fallen comrades who were killed in the conflict 38 years ago.
They arrived at Western Cemetery around 2.30pm on Saturday to pay tribute to Corporals Peter Fitton and Ian Spencer, and Marine Paul Callan of 45 Commando, along with Cpl Laurence Watt of 42 Commando.
All four men were based at RM Condor when they were sent tofight in the war in the South Atlantic, which ran from April to June in 1982.
Waiting to greet the riders were members of Cpl Watt’s family from Carnoustie – his widow Susan Dunholm, daughter Laura and granddaughter Ailsa Milne, seven.
Laura said: “Mum was expecting me when dad was killed in the
Falklands. It was overwhelming to see so many people here honouring and remembering my dad and the other men from Condor. It has been a very poignant experience.”
Laura’s dad was killed on the evening of June 11 during the Battle of Mount Harriet, where 27 men from both the British and Argentinian sides were killed.
He was just 27. Cpl Ian Spencer was killed on the same day.
Tributes were read to all the men and crosses laid, before a minute’s silence was held.
The veterans were taking part in a marathon 2,400 mile motorcycle trip around the UK to raise awareness and funds.
The ride was organised by Airborne Forces Riders (AFR), an association of veterans, which serves soldiers and their supporters who ride motorbikes. They will visit graves and memorials including the 45 Commando in Arbroath, a unit which lost a of 13 men during the conflict.
Four riders will complete the full journey – Paul Moore, 60, and Andrew McColgan, 59, of 9 Parachute Squadron RE, Tony McKie, 45, of 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment, and Phil Damant, 57, of the Royal Air Force.
Mr Moore said: “It started because we noticed a couple of the graves were not particularly well looked after and we started thinking a lot of them around the country were probably like this.
“There are basically three reasons we are doing this – to raise awareness, to pay our respects and to raise money for the South Atlantic Medals Association.”