Tudorville Service of Remembrance

Sunday, 4th June 2017
It was a great privilege to attend a Service of Remembrance at Ross-on-Wye Town Cemetery, Tudorville, to commemorate the 35th Anniversary of the ending of the Falklands War. This was an intensely moving ceremony, which took place at the graveside of Private Timothy Jenkins of 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (3PARA), a Ross lad who was killed in the fierce battle for Mount Longdon on 12th June 1982 – poignantly, only two days before the Argentine surrender – and which was attended by a number of veterans of the Falklands War, many from his Battalion.
The Service was led by The Revd Colin Leggate of St Mary’s Church, and was accompanied by the Band of The Rifles. The tributes to a young man whose life was cut short while unflinchingly doing his duty were memorable, especially that by Trevor Bradshaw, a comrade from 3PARA who also fought in the battle.
After the Last Post, the Silence and Reveille, wreaths were laid at the grave, and I was proud to lay my wreath as High Sheriff. Major Patrick Darling DL, representing the Lord-Lieutenant, gave a masterly address describing the achievement of the Task Force: the meticulous planning, the boldness of execution, the outstanding teamwork – and, of course the determination and bravery of those who took part. Patrick paid tribute to those who fell, to those whose grievous injuries are still with them today, and to the families and friends of those killed and injured.
I offered up the Prayer of the South Atlantic Medal Association, and I will never forget the privilege of doing so by the grave of a courageous young soldier.
My special thanks to Graham Aplin, the Chairman of Ross-on-Wye British Legion, and to Margaret Jones, the Secretary, for their perfect organisation of the Commemoration.