The 40th anniversary of Falklands war: a look back
255 British forces personnel died in the Falkland war
Today marks the 40th anniversary of the Falkland war.
After weeks of conflict, on this day in 1982, Argentine troops fled the island. At 1015 BST Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher informed the House of Commons that the Argentinians had surrendered.
Falkland's War memorial event
There will be a commemorative event today, held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, to mark 40 years since the end of the Falklands conflict.
The event will feature testimonies from veterans as well as the Act of Remembrance.
Veterans of the campaign and their families, bereaved family members, and civilians who supported the Armed Forces will come together for a commemorative event.
“I have lived with injury every day for 40 years”
Veterans of the Falklands War had marked the 40th anniversary of the conflict with a poignant remembrance service in Blackpool last Sunday.
Former Lt Lawrence who served in the Falkland was paralysed down his left side after he was shot in the head while checking for counter-attacks from snipers.
He said: “I have lived with this injury every day for 40 years”.
“I have no major problems with that. It was my choice to become a soldier and my job as a young officer to lead that attack”
“I believe in it very strongly to see the boys get together, and for us to remember both them and the fallen, and most especially the families who have lived with the consequences of our actions as young men.”
Why did the Falklands war happen?
The Falklands War was a conflict between Argentina and the UK over the sovereignty of two British territories - the Falkland Islands and the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
The UK seized the islands in 1833 and has rejected Argentina’s claims of ownership of them ever since.
On 2 April 1982, Argentina, launched an invasion of the Falkland Islands.
They met resistance from British forces and the Falklands war began - although no declaration of war was made by either side.
How many people died in the Falklands War?
255 people from the British forces were killed in the conflict, 775 were wounded, and 115 were captured.
Since the Falklands War the only conflict in which British troops have suffered greater losses is Afghanistan.
Argentina suffered 649 military deaths as well as 1,657 wounded and 11,313 captured.
What happened after the Falklands War?
Following Argentina’s surrender, Britain regained control of the Falkland Islands.
The British success helped to restore Margaret Thatcher’s reputation and in the UK general election held in June 1983 the Conservatives secured an election victory.
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