Battle Day

Last Wednesday (Dec 8th) was a public holiday for Battle Day. Before we moved here I never had any idea that the Falkland Islands were involved in the first world war.

After the British were defeated off the coast of Chile on November 1st 1914 they sent a large force to track down and destroy the German squadron of 8 vessels which were responsible.

The British force of 7 vessels arrived in Stanley the day before the German force arrived to attack the British navy supply base here. In the Battle for the Falkland Islands on 8th December 1914 all but 2 of the German ships were sunk.

There is a memorial commemorating this on the sea front in West Stanley.

On Battle Day each year there is a service in the cathedral attended by military representatives and local dignitaries, including the governor. This is followed by a parade with military band to the memorial where prayers are said and wreaths laid.

These are representatives of the Falkland Islands defence force.

The governor inspected the troops at the memorial. We have recently had a new governor with , presumably, a new set of uniform. During the ceremony some of the red feathers blew out of his hat. I wonder how they are fastened in anyway!

Local organisations like the sea cadets, cubs and brownies (who dress in red) also attend.

Simon went windsurfing and tacked his way up the harbour as far as the memorial but he didn't land. The naval vessel, the Clyde, was also in for the celebration.

Paul and Lesley Evans who are visiting our church here came to have lunch with us then in the afternoon we took them to see the lighthouse at Cape Pembroke.

There was a young elephant seal on the rocks below the lighthouse.