FALKLANDS Veteran Peter Rowe laid a wreath at Launceston’s War Memorial on Saturday, May 21, to remember his 22 shipmates who have maintained their watch for 40 years in Grantham Sound, Falklands, since HMS Ardent was sunk.

On May 21, 1982, whilst lying in Falkland Sound and supporting Operation Sutton, providing protection to the landing forces which went on to liberate the islands, by bombarding the Argentinian airstrip at Goose Green, HMS Ardent was attacked by at least three waves of enemy aircraft.

The air strikes resulted in the sinking of HMS Ardent and the loss of 22 members from the 199 crew who later abandoned ship on to the frigate HMS Yarmouth.

Peter was a Chief Petty Officer on board, and laid a wreath on the Launceston War Memorial, in memory of his 22 shipmates who have maintained their watch on the ship for 40 years.

He later attended a short service at the Falkland’s memorial on Plymouth Hoe.