Sheffield Sea Cadets hold virtual presentation on anniversary of Falklands War Liberation Day

Cadets of Training Ship Sheffield organisation the online ceremony via Zoom to commemorate the 38 years since the military conflict between Argentina and the UK.

Falklands Liberation Day is a public holiday which marks the freedom of islanders from Argentine military occupation at the end of the Falklands War on June 14, 1982.

33 guests including the Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire Andrew Combe, Vice Lord Lieutenant John Holt and Sheffield Lord Mayor Anthony Downing were treated to a pre-recorded video presentation made by the trainees.

Cadets wrote the presentation script as part of their module towards their next promotion to Cadet Sergeant.

The ceremony concluded with the new Unit Chaplin Father Grant Taylor, offering prayers, while a Royal Marine Cadet performed the last post on the bugle.

Public Relations Officer and Royal Navy Veteran, Christopher Smith said: “Our Unit and city share a history with the Islands and the Falklands conflict.

"We have staff who are veterans of the Falklands conflict, and our cities namesake; HMS Sheffield, which was tragically sunk protecting the Royal Navy Fleet from air attack, and we continue today still having strong ties to the HMS Sheffield Association.

"In November last year, Sheffield Unit welcomed the Honorable member of the Legislative Assembly of the Falklands; Leona Roberts from Port Stanley.

"She presented us a Falklands Island flag and plaque, cementing relations between the Falklands government, and Sheffield Sea Cadets’ Unit – named The Falklands Training Centre.

"Within our Unit, stands a memorial to Robert Griffin, a former Sheffield Sea Cadet drum major.

"Robert Griffin, 22, was killed in action on landing craft F4 during Argentinian air attack.”

South Yorkshire District Officer Commander Keith Bingham described the ‘carefree’ and ‘good’ person Robert was.

He commented: “Royal Marine Griffin (Bob to his friends) was a Sea Cadet with me at TS Sheffield Sea Cadet Unit in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

"He was a lovely carefree lad who was never without a smile on his face.

"He saw the best in everyone and a very good friend to have.

“Although a few years younger than me we had a lot in common and got on well together.”

Cadet Corporal Oliver O’Brien, who has been in the unit for six years added: “Our presentation was a fantastic team effort where everyone from the padre to the cadets chipped in. “It was however difficult, as we had to create a script that really captured the events of the Falklands conflict.

"We eventually achieved this with the help of zoom and started to record the audio, sending it to those who were creating the presentation and who uploaded it to iMovie.

"We are really proud of how it turned out and we hope this demonstrates our commitment to this wonderful new relationship as well as our commitment, as the next generation, to the memory of those who sacrificed their lives in the conflict.”

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