Funded by the Welsh Guards Charity, a Memorial to commemorate the capture of Sapper Hill by the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards during the Falklands War was unveiled by His Excellency Mr Nigel Phillips CBE, Governor of the Falkland Islands on Wednesday 11th April 2018.
Brigadier Johnny Rickett CBE, the former Commanding Officer of the Welsh Guards, together with Lt Col Julian Sayers and Major Charlie Carty MBE, who had both been in the Battalion during the conflict, flew out to the Falklands for the ceremony. Between 30 and 40 people had been invited to attend, whom apart from a number of friends of the regiment, who have done so much for our returning veterans, included members of the Royal Navy, the Army Garrison and the RAF currently serving in the Falklands.
Brigadier Rickett gave a short résumé of the Battalion's actions after the bombing of the Galahad and explained the reason for the Memorial. He pointed out the part played by the Battalion in the final battles for Stanley culminating in the seizure of Sapper Hill, the nearest hill to Port Stanley itself.
The words on the plaque are as follows:
At 1230z hours on the 14th June 1982, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards with A and C Companies of 40 Commando Royal Marines under command, received orders from HQ 5 Infantry Brigade to attack Sapper Hill, the final Hill overlooking Stanley. During the Battalion's move forward by helicopter, 9 Troop of C Company, who had been landed too far forward, was involved in a sharp firefight and sustained two casualties. The Battalion pressed on rapidly linking up with this troop and secured Sapper Hill at 1657z. Just after this word came through that the Argentine forces had surrendered and the war was over.
The plaque is made of bronze, the stone cairn was constructed under the direction of Mr Tim Miller, who, together with his wife, have done so much for our veterans over many years.
