Portsmouth Presented With Falklands Flag

The Falklands Islands government has presented the City of Portsmouth with a Falklands flag in recognition of the close ties between the two. 

Falklands veterans gathered by the city’s Square tower where the memorial to Falklands fallen is placed. 

It is a marker to those who perished freeing the Islands after Argentina invaded on 2 April 1982 before finally surrendering on 14 June of the same year. 

Three representatives from the Falklands Government travelled to Portsmouth to present a Falklands flag, which was hoisted over the Square Tower by journalist David Colville.

"I was there when the Argentine invaded and I was then deported three weeks after the invasion," said the journalist.

It was announced on Friday that new flagpoles place here will fly the Falklands flag 365 days a year. 

The measure shows the close bond between Falklands and Portsmouth.

Portsmouth is where the task force left to recapture the Islands and to where it returned following a successful mission. 

"Portsmouth was so instrumental in facilitating the task force," said Leona Roberts MLA from the Falklands government.

The flag is a sign that others are grateful for their service and sacrifice. 

"It was inevitable, given the strong connections with Portsmouth," said Falklands veteran Peter Featherstone-Williams.

Falklands Veteran Barry Jones said:

"We want to make sure that those guys [who did not come back] are never forgotten."