Recollections of the Falklands War

2022 marks the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War in 1982.

The Falklands War was fought between Argentina and the United Kingdom who were fighting over two of the British dependent territories in the South Atlantic, the Falkland Islands and the territorial dependency of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

This article is about the recollections of Mr Alan Norris (left), who served and fought with the 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment during the conflict.

The Parachute Regiment was formed by Winston Churchill in 1940, when he requested the formation of an elite corps, numbering at least 5000 parachutists. During the course of 5 months, parachutists were fully qualified in the Parachute Training School. In February 1941, these men took part in the first British airborne operation, Operation Colossus. Soon after further battalions were raised, 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

The Parachute Regiment emblem –  Major General Frederick A. M. Browning

In October 1941, Major General Frederick A. M. Browning, was ordered to form an Airborne Division, and appointed as its General Officer Commanding. Browning who was married to author Daphne du Maurier, was instrumental in adopting the red beret, and assisted the artist E. Seago in the design of the Parachute Regiment emblem depicting the warrior Bellerophon riding Pegasus, the winged horse.

Before enlisting with the Paras, Alan served as a cadet for 4 years with the Army Corps Force, Morriston Detachment. Boy soldier Alan enlisted on the 4th August 1980 for the Parachute Regiment. After 6 months of training at Aldershot, he joined the 2nd Battalion.

At the outbreak of the Falklands war, Alan had returned home on leave to stay with his parents. Whilst at a Swansea home game at the Vetch, Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion on 6th April, the game was interrupted by the commentator making a public announcement that Private Norris was to return to his army barracks, due to the outbreak of the Falkland War. Also, don’t forget to bring back some corn beef! How did the army know that he was at the game? They didn’t. Alan’s mother made the call to the Vetch.

Recently promoted to the First Division, Swansea City, went on to win the game 3-1, with goals scored by Christopher Marustik, Alan Curtis and Bob Latchford.

Alan returned to his barracks, but it wasn’t until the 27th April, when the British Cabinet gave its approval for Operation Sutton, that both MV Norland and MV Sir Bedivere departed from Portsmouth enroute to the Falklands. Alan was to sail on the Norland which was a P&O roll-on/roll-off ferry, operating between Yorkshire and Rotterdam, it was commandeered by the MOD to be used as a troopship, transporting both Commandos and Paratroopers. On the 7th May, Norland landed at Ascension Island. This island is an isolated volcanic island situated in the South Atlantic Ocean, and 6,300 kilometres from the Falklands. The regiment stayed here for a week.

It wouldn’t be until the 21st May that the 3rd Commando Brigade, of which the 2nd Paras were attached to, would execute landings in the San Carlos Waters, East Falklands. The following day, the Brigade Maintenance Area was established at Ajax Bay. 

Top left: Colonel H Jones Top right: Major Keeble Above: Surrendering Argentine soldiers

Sir Galahad, Sir Lancelot and Sir Tristram were bombed on the 24th May, but the bombs failed to explode. On the 26th, the 2 Paras, under a false start leave Sussex Mountains, East Falklands for an advance on Goose Green. On the 28th, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel H. Jones, the 2 Paras fought in the Battle of Goose Green, this would be Alan’s first action in the conflict. 18 including Lieutenant-Colonel H Jones were killed. Jones was awarded a posthumous VC.  Jones was the instigator of 2 Paras being in the Falkland War, as he asked permission from the Cabinet, which was granted.

After his death the command of the battalion was passed to Major Keeble, who received and accepted the Argentine surrender and over 1,000 POWs on 29th May.

On 2nd June, the 2 Paras flew to Bluff Cove, East Falklands. Whilst here, on 8th June Alan witnessed the Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram being hit by bombs in Port Pleasant. At the time of the bombing, the Sir Galahad was preparing to unload soldiers from the Welsh Guards. The explosion and fire caused 48 deaths, and Alan assisted in removing the casualties from the sea.

A burning Sir Galahad in Port Pleasant

Alan would celebrate his 19th birthday that June. On the 13th June, the 2 Paras saw action during the Battle of Mount Tumbledown when they attacked Wireless Ridge. By the following morning the assaults had been successful, and the Argentine forces surrendered. The war was over. During the following weeks the regiment returned to their families at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire.

A total of 255 British servicemen were killed in action. 14 of the casualties are buried at Blue Beach Military Cemetery, San Carlos, Falklands, including Lieutenant-Colonel Jones VC. A large number of casualties were repatriated, and some of the dead were buried at the Military Cemetery in Aldershot or buried in their home towns.

I would like to thank Mr Alan Norris for the information provided.

Copyright - The Bay Magazine, Winter 2022