RECEPTION MARKS 150 YEARS FOR FIDF
By J. Brock (FINN)
The Falkland Islands Defence Force has celebrated their 150th anniversary with a reception held in their Headquarters on Saturday evening. The venue began at 2000 with drinks and nibs and included a presentation about the history of the FIDF. “I regard the formation of the Volunteer force 150 years ago as the origin of the FIDF,” explained the Officer Commanding, Maj. Peter Biggs in his opening remarks. He went on to mention the presence of retired and present and their worthwhile efforts on behalf of the FIDF.
The slide show, a brief profile of events important in FIDF history, had some of the oldest photographs and graphics of Islanders in uniform and equipment, going back to the first formation of volunteers in 1854, to avert privateers associated with Russia during the Crimean War. WO2 Adam Cockwell and Sgt. Paul Watson presented the slide show and talk, which covered the Falkland Islands Defence Force’s participation at home and abroad during two world wars as well as the 1982 Falklands Conflict, when all of the records and equipment of the organisation went missing. The history included the refit and training provided by HM Forces after the conflict. Diversification of the role of the FIDF, as the men explained, went into search and rescue as well as fisheries protection in 1999, with the introduction of an Orlon 20mm gun aboard M/V Dorada.
H. E. the Governor Mr. Pearce then presented promotions: Andy Brownlee to Captain, Justin McPhee to Lieutenant, Paul Watson to Colour Sergeant, Gerard Ford to Corporal, Nigel Bishop to Corporal, Owen Betts to Corporal, and Richard Morrison to Corporal.
After presenting the promotions H. E. the Governor Mr. Pearce said:
“First of all, I would like to congratulate all of those who have just received their promotions. And, in the FIDF this is a serious business. Promotions are hard earned and very well deserved. My warmest congratulations go to all of you.
I think one key thing in the presentation we have had on the history of the volunteer force in the Falklands, going back 150 years to the relatively early years of administration here in the Falkland Islands, what that shows is that Falkland Islanders have always been ready to stand to in their own defence. I think that therefore is an extremely impressive( key point)one. In those days of the Crimean War through to the 1st world war, where many people volunteered here in the Islands also went and volunteered to go and fight in Europe. And there is an extraordinarily impressive list of medals earned by Falkland Islanders during the First World War to the Second World War and, of course, 1982. That is a record of courage and commitment and bravery, which I think Falkland Islanders can and should be proud.
I think you should also be proud of the FIDF as it stands today. A quick mental calculation leads me to conclude that if the same proportion of the UK population volunteered for the Territorial Army, then there would be some 2 Million. That’s quite an impressive figure.
In the almost two years that I have been here, I have admired the hard work, the commitment and the professionalism, which goes into the FIDF by people who have full time jobs. They commit an enormous amount of time and effort and energy in everything they do. Everything they do, they do extremely well. They provided a wonderful guard of Honour at my wedding as well as man the rigid raider and Fisheries Protection, regular Military exercises with British Forces South Atlantic Islands. I know there is a great deal of admiration on the part of the professionals here for the FIDF and the work that they put in. And, I know that they are able to exercise very effectively together. Now, I don’t want to embarrass CBSAI once again by referring, as is quite understandable in the history of the FIDF, to the success of the FIDF in the Commando Challenge. I am not too sure when the next Commando Challenge is going to be but I know there will be lots of entries from the South Atlantic Islands and I think it’s going to be very hard fought. I was very impressed by the effort of the FIDF, who won that competition the last time.
I wish you all the very best for the next 150 years.”
CBSAI, Air Commodore Lacey, presented Long Service and Good Conduct Awards in respect of over 12 years of service to Lt. Justin McPhee, Cpl. Gerard Ford, Pte. Stuart Wallace, Cpl. Russell Smith and LCPL Denise McPhee.
After the presentation of Long Service and Good Conduct Awards Air Commodore Lacey said:
“It is a great pleasure for me to be here this evening to present the long service and good conduct awards. Long service and good conduct awards to me are one of the most significant awards that anybody can achieve in peacetime. I am very conscious that the five people that received the awards this evening have each put in 12 years minimum distinguished service in the Falkland Islands Defence Force to qualify for the award they received this evening.
Now, I am quite used to doing this at Mount Pleasant for people who get their long service and good conduct award there. But they are all professionals and we expect them to do what is necessary to get that award. I think, in particular, volunteers who have given, over such a long period, have been so much, so consistently and so well, I think is absolutely outstanding. And, I would just like to add my congratulations to the five people who received the award this evening because what they do is meaningful. And, the fact that they have done it for twelve years I think is outstanding.
I noted this evening that not only do I have the pleasure of awarding the first of these awards to a female member of the FIDF, but I noted also that it was a husband and wife combination. Congratulations to both of you.
Perhaps you will allow me also to say a few words of congratulations to the Defence Force on its 150 years. In the short term that I have been in the Falkland Islands I have had the pleasure of seeing them at work. They regularly participate with the regulars under my command at Mount Pleasant and, frankly, they are indistinguishable from the professionals. They are really unique. I have seen them operate on a number of different occasions and they are extremely professional. And, the Falkland Islands Community should be extremely proud of the Falkland Islands Defence Force for all it has achieved since its foundation and particularly what they have achieved today. I particularly like the fact that the training opportunities that they actually present to my organisation. We would not have the training for the particular roles that we have, were it not for the Falkland Islands Defence Force. They are the most difficult “enemy” that we have ever faced. They really give us a hard time. So, Peter (Biggs) a very heartfelt thank-you for the Falkland Islands Defence Forces contribution to keeping us safe.
I would also like to mention the outstanding achievement - the Governor has already mentioned it - of the number of times that the Falkland Islands Defence Force has won the March and Shoot and the Commando Challenge. It goes to show the qualities of the Falkland Islands Defence Force. Yes. You do mop the floor with us. You are an extremely proficient and professional organisation and my hearty congratulations to you on the 150th anniversary of your formation.”
The evening finished as it began, with friends and acquaintances as well as family members with an association with the FIDF chatting about their various contributions to the Force over the years.
Other pictures show Air Commodore Lacey presenting Good Conduct and Long Service Awards to CPL Gerard Ford, Pte.Stuart Wallace and CPLRussell Smith. He is also pictured chatting with LCPL Denise McPhee before presenting her with a Good Conduct and Long Service Award.
