People will remember the sacrifices made by those who fought and died in the Falklands War, including men from Wolverhampton and Walsall, at an annual service next week.

Air Engineering Mechanic Adrian Anslow of the Royal Navy, who was from Wolverhampton, and Private Mark Dodsworth from the Parachute Regiment, of Walsall, were among the 255 British military personnel who died during the 1982 crisis.

The Central Branch of the City of Wolverhampton Royal British Legion and the Wolverhampton and District United Ex-Service Council will be holding a service of remembrance at St Martin's Church, Dixon Street, Blakenhall, on Wednesday 14 June, 2017.

The service begins at 11am and the names of Royal Navy and Parachute Regiment personnel killed in the conflict will be read out.

Wolverhampton Deputy Mayor Councillor Phil Page will be among those paying tribute at the service, which is open to everyone.

He said: "The service will enable us to remember the sacrifices made by British military personnel who sadly paid the ultimate price in the Falklands War, including Air Engineering Mechanic Adrian Anslow from Wolverhampton and Private Mark Dodsworth of Walsall.

"The nation owes them a debt of gratitude, and I'd encourage as many people as possible to join members of the Royal British Legion and the Ex-Service Council for next week's service of remembrance."

The Falklands War was a 10 week battle between Argentina and the United Kingdom over 2 British overseas territories in the South Atlantic; the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

It began on Friday 2 April, 1982 when Argentina invaded and occupied the Falkland Islands. The conflict lasted 74 days and ended with the Argentine surrender on 14 June, 1982, returning the islands to British control. In total, 255 British military personnel, 649 Argentine military personnel and 3 Falkland Islanders died during the hostilities.

Wolverhampton is a signatory of the Armed Forces Community Covenant, a pledge of mutual support between the city and its Armed Forces community.

It calls on local people to support the Armed Forces community, recognise and remember the sacrifices they have made over the years and encourage activities that help members of the Armed Forces integrate into local life.

It also encourages members of the Armed Forces support the wider community, and promote understanding and awareness among the public of some of the issues faced by former members of the Armed Forces as they return to civilian life.

For details of the help and support available to the Armed Forces community in Wolverhampton, please visit Type=articles;Articleid=4568;Title=Help for the Armed Forces community;.

  • released: Monday 5 June, 2017