Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire

16th May 2012 – Falklands Campaign 30th Anniversary Talk

Sailing With The Queen

This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Falklands Campaign, which saw a British Task Force sail to the South Atlantic Ocean to liberate the Falkland Islands that had been invaded by Argentina.

Lincolnshire played an active part in the campaign through the Black Buck bombing raids that were planned at RAF Waddington. However Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire (AHL) has chosen to commemorate the campaign in a slightly different format, but still with a Lincolnshire connection. 

Lincolnshire resident Stephen Hallam was Chief Pattisier on the Cunard liner the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) and he will give a talk entitled, “Sailing With The Queen” on 16th May 2012 at 7.30pm at the Branston Hall Hotel, Branston, Lincoln.  Stephen will highlight his exploits from pampering passengers luxuriously cruising around the world to suddenly being thrown into the cold and stark reality of the South Atlantic Campaign.

Like many Cunard liners before her the QE2 was hastily modified into a troop carrier, through the addition of helicopter landing pads; installation of temporary fuel pipes to allow for refuelling at sea; and converting public lounges into troop accommodation. The QE2 set sail from Southampton on 12th May 1982, with around 650 volunteer crewmembers; and carrying nearly 3,000 troops of the Fifth Infantry Brigade, which was the main British land fighting force. Details of that epic voyage to South Georgia will be the main highlight of Stephen Hallam’s talk.

Admission to the event will cost £5.00 per person, with proceeds being donated to the ‘Flights for Life’ charity. Tickets need to be booked in advance by contacting AHL via e-mail phil@aviationheritagelincolnshire.com or by telephoning 01529 308135/ 01529 308172.

Venue:
The Branston Hall Hotel
Branston
Lincoln
LN4 1PD

Updates about the events being organised by AHL can be found on their website at www.aviationheritagelincolnshire.com