Queen's Birthday, 21st April The Falkland Islands have been given special dispensation by Her
Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate her birthday on each anniversary
of her birth (21st April) rather than on her official birthday which falls
during the Falklands winter. Each year detachments from the Falkland
Islands Defence Force and from each of the services stationed in the
Islands, often accompanied by a visiting military band, march along Ross
Road to Victory Green. The Governor, in the full regalia including
the traditional ostrich-plumed helmet which he wears to each parade,
arrives to take the Royal Salute. The Royal Standard is raised to
symbolically represent the presence of Her Majesty the Queen. A
twenty-one gun salute is fired and RAF planes and helicopters fly
past. Afterwards the Governor inspects the military detachments,
together with the uniformed representatives of the Sea and Marine Cadets,
Scout and Guide organisations. The day is a public holiday, and the
parade is usually supported by a large turn-out of local residents and
visitors keen to watch the colourful ceremony.
Liberation
Day, 14th June For Falkland Islanders 14th June is the most important date in the
year, the day when they give thanks for their liberation from Argentine
occupation, remember all those who died during the Conflict, and show
their respect and appreciation for Her Majesty's Forces. It is a
somber and emotional public holiday which begins with a
multidenominational service in Christchurch Cathedral, attended by
councillors, local residents and representatives of the armed
forces. The Roll of Honour is carried into the Cathedral during
the service. Afterwards the congregation make their way towards the
1982 Memorial which lies at the west end of the centre of town, close to
Reservoir Road, between Ross Road and the Government Secretariat on
Thatcher Drive. Detachments from the Falkland Islands Defence Force
and from each of the services stationed in the Islands march along Ross
Road to the 1982 Memorial. Despite the bitter winter weather,
uniformed representatives of the Sea and Marine Cadets, Scout and Guide
organisations are also on parade. Once the Governor arrives a short
service of commemoration is held. Prayers are led by the military
chaplain and by the leaders of the local Churches. A hymn is sung if
the weather isn't too inclement. The service is followed by a
wreath-laying ceremony, frequently accompanied by a bagpiper playing a
lament. After the wreaths are laid by dignitaries, local residents,
representatives of the Falklands Families Association and other services
organisations, the Last Post is sounded, and more prayers said, before the
military detachments march away to a private gathering at the Defence
Force Club. Local residents and the many members of the military who
are in attendance but not part of the marching detachments make their way
to the Town Hall on Ross Road where the Governor hosts a reception for
residents and military alike.
Remembrance Sunday In Britain Remembrance Sunday is held each year on the Sunday closest
to 11th November, the anniversary of the Armistice at the end of World War
One. The Falkland Islands is a British Overseas Territory which sent
large numbers of its young men and women to support the war effort in both
World Wars. Many of the young men didn't return, killed in
action. Even today many young men and women from the Islands join
Her Majesty's Forces, in the past decade serving on active duty in such
diverse locations as Kosovo and Iraq. Remembrance Sunday is
commemorated in Stanley with the same solemnity as it is observed in
towns throughout Britain. A multidenominational service is held in
Christchurch Cathedral in the presence of flagbearers of the Royal British
Legion and the Royal Naval Association, local residents and members of the
military including the Falkland Islands Defence Force. After the
service a parade is formed to march from the Cathedral to the War Memorial
beside the Cemetery at the east end of town. Members of the Royal
British Legion and the Royal Naval Association march alongside current
members of Her Majesty's Forces. The parade is followed by members
of the public, who gather around the War Memorial, accompanied by
uniformed members of the Sea and Marine Cadets, Scouts and Guides.
The Governor arrives and inspects the troops. Prayers are said and
hymns sung, a bagpipe lament played, wreaths laid in remembrance of those
who died, and the Last Post sounded.
Battle Day, 8th
December On 8th December 1914, in the second major naval engagement of the
First World War, close to the shores of the Falkland Islands, a small
British fleet destroyed the German South Atlantic Squadron led by the
renowned Admiral Graf von Spee. Following the war, 8th December or
Battle Day became the Falkland Islands' own national holiday. A
beautiful memorial - the 1914 Memorial - was constructed on a headland
west of Government House. Each year a service of commemoration is
held in Christchurch Cathedral to remember the many (mostly Germans) who
lost their lives in the Battle. The service is attended by members
of Her Majesty's Forces including the Falkland Islands Defence Force and
by flagbearers of the Royal British Legion and the Royal Naval
Association. After the service members of the public make their way
to the 1914 Memorial. Military detachments, accompanied by a
military band, parade along Ross Road to the 1914 Memorial, where they are
drawn up to await the Governor's arrival. After a short service of
commemoration, followed by a fly-past by RAF planes and helicopters, the
Governor inspects the troops and the detachments from the Sea and Marine
Cadets, Scout and Guide organisations. Once the inspection is over,
the Governor walks back to Government House, where he stands on a dais in
the garden to take the salute from the troops as they march past.
This colourful parade which takes place shortly before mid-summer always
attracts a large throng of residents and tourists.
