Still on patrol: remembering HMS Ardent
Magicman CEO and HMS Ardent survivor Mark Henderson attended the unveiling of a new memorial commemorating the 22 sailors killed in action during the Falklands Conflict exactly 33 years ago.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester has kept close ties with the crew of the HMS Ardent since she launched the ship in 1975 and is the sponsor of the HMS Ardent Association. So it was appropriate that she unveil the anchor memorial following its move to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, where it now resides alongside the main Falklands Memorial.
The Duchess of Gloucester and Mark Henderson. Photo by Richard Gough.
On May 21st 1982 HMS Ardent was lying in Falklands Sound where she was supporting landing troops by bombarding the Argentine airstrip at Goose Green. The Royal Navy Type 21 Frigate with a crew of 199 was attacked by at least three waves of Argentine aircraft which resulted in her sinking the next day and the loss of 22 sailors. The average age of the crew was just 23.
The anchor memorial. Photo by Richard Gough.
The focal point of the memorial is one of the frigate’s original two anchors which was lost in Portland harbour in 1980 when the ship was sheltering from a storm but recovered by the Queen’s Harbour Master at Portland, and former First Lieutenant of HMS Ardent, Commander Nick Crewes RN (Retired) following her demise.
Admiral Lord West and the Duchess of Gloucester. Photo by Richard Gough.
Also attending was the president of the HMS Ardent Association, Admiral the Lord West of Spithead GCB DSC PC. He was the commanding officer and last to leave the sinking ship and was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Lord West was First Sea Lord and Commander in Chief of the Royal Navy from 2002 until 2006.
“I was extremely proud and honoured to be asked to assist Pete and Rene Hanson to lay a wreath in memory to their son Shaun who was killed in action on 21st May 1982 when HMS Ardent was attacked throughout the day and finally sank. Both Magicman and myself personally are happy to support the Association in memory of my shipmates who made the ultimate sacrifice on that day. As a 21 year old Leading Marine Engineer I was I/C of the after damage control pumping and flooding party. That day lives with me forever and I make it a mission to visit the Falklands every 10 years to pay my respects to those still on patrol.” Mark Henderson
The HMS Ardent Association was set up immediately after the Falklands Conflict so that HMS Ardent and the names of the 22 fallen crewmates would not be forgotten. They were AB(S) Derek Armstrong, Lt/Cdr Richard Banfield, AB(S) Andrew Barr, POAEM(M) Peter Brouard, CK Richard Dunkerley, LCK Michael Foote, MEM(M)2 Stephen Ford, STWD Shawn Hanson, AB(S) Sean Hayward, AB(EW) Stephen Heyes, WEM(R) Simon Lawson, MEM(M)2 Alistair Leighton, AEMN(M)1 Allan McAulay, LS(R) Michael Mullen, Lt Brian Murphy, LPT Gary Nelson, POWEM(R) Andrew Palmer, CK John Roberts, Lt/Cdr John Sephton DSC, LMEM(M) Stephen White, LMEM(L) Gary Whitford and MEM(M)1 Gilbert Williams.
The commemorative plaque. Photo by Richard Gough.
The story of HMS Ardent and her crew is retold in the book Through Fire and Water by Mark Higgitt (Mainstream Publishing, ISBN 1 84018 356 X).
For more information visit hmsardent.org.uk
More photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgough/sets/72157652854181800/
