The Falklands Islands

the 1950s, 1962, 1982 and 2007

ROUGH DRAFT AT PRESENT

Mary Jenkins a very good friend, is a genealogy enthusiast and found this in her studies,

The story, it is not connected to the 1963 Brazilian constitutional referendum

1962

The action takes place in summer 1962, I am an immature 20 year old at Southampton University with limited basic skills, only in drinking beer, playing golf and driving. Brother Neil is 12.
Mother Jean is teaching at a school in Weymouth for children with learning difficulties.
Bob Taylor is the County Educational Psychologist. A very pleasant job motoring around the Dorset schools, meeting children, teachers , parents and Heads; advising them on learning difficulties and educational initiatives etc.

On the other side of the world – the Falkland Islands children appear to be falling behind where they ought to be in their education. Somehow, a connection is made with Dorset County Council and Bob is selected to visit the Islands and give them some help.

Bob wants to make the journey by land and ship. I doubt there was regular BA non stop flight, Heathrow to Stanley in 1962. Discussions take place with a Travel Agent in Weymouth and a route is proposed. The Crown Agents (1962 version) get wind of the travel plans and “veto” any plan to travel to the Falkands via Argentina. For reasons that become obvious to everyone in 1982. Hence the routing via Brazil .

1962

A route along the following lines is planned and carried out.
– Drive in a convertible Hillman Minx, TTK 992 to Lydd Airport, Ashford Kent.
– Load the car and 4 of us onto a Silver City Airlines Bristol Mk 32 Superfreighter, crossing to Le Touquet.
– Drive across France and Spain into Portugal for a holiday on the coast.

So we drive across France and Spain into Portugal for a holiday on the coast. Swimming on the Portugese coast Bob and Neil were almost drowned having to fight their way back to shore against a strong tide.

The final lap of outward journey was drive to the Spanish port Vigo. We see Bob embark ship – to the Port of Santos, Brazil.
This was a passenger and cargo ship. Bob then picks up, at the Port of Santos, a ship which gets him to Stanley. This was primarily a cargo carrying ship. The Captain befriended Bob who was regularly allowed onto the bridge. Typically the Captain was not happy with the way the Stanley pilot took them into that harbour.

For our return we three drive back the 1200 odd miles to Le Touquet, returning to Lydd airport and onto Dorchester. Not without incident.

1962

Towards the end of 1962, unusually, I receive a telephone call at Glen Eyre Hall Southampton from Mother Jean. She says I must go to Southampton docks where a ship from Spain is docking around 6pm with Bob on board. I do, Jean and I meet Bob off the ship. I then recall having a welcome home drink with them in the Polygon Hotel Souhampton (is it still there? ).

1940 1950 s

Turning to the 1940s and 1950s, Diane’s father, Roy Money is in the Royal Navy serving on various ships including the HMS Protector. One of the Protector’s duties is to patrol the South Atlantic where it calls regularly at Stanley.

2007 USHUAIA

Forward now to 2007, we go on an Antarctic cruise. Travelling via Madrid, Buenos Aries and picking up the cruise ship at Ushuaia (yes Argentina). Our first scheduled stop and refuelling is Port Stanley.

Our connections with the Falklands and Stanley have now surfaced. Diane’s – her father Roy on HMS Protector in the 1950s and mine with Bob’s trip to help the Education department there in 1962.

2007 Antarctic cruise

So we inspect the Education Department.

And the Name of the HMS Protector dug into the land on the other side of the harbour. Along with the HMS Dumbarton Castle and HMS Endurance.