The following report from Commander D.A.F. Parsons, RN, HMS Intrepid, with which the School’s CCF was associated, was published in The Shirburnian, Michaelmas 1982:
After the Argentinian surrender on 14 June the ship was tasked to organise the collection of prisoners of war from West Falkland. On 15 June some o150 men of 40 Commando, Royal Marines were transported to the settlement of Port Howard to disarm about 730 prisoners and at the same time HMS Avenger entered Fox Bay and sent parties ashore to take control of another 900 prisoners. Most of the prisoners seemed cold and dispirited and a considerable number appeared to be badly undernourished. They all seemed to be rather pleased that they were now on their way home and co-operated fully. Having been assembled ashore a total of 1600 were brought on board HMS Intrepid between 15th and 16th June and then taken to the San Carlos anchorage where they were transferred to SS Canberra and MV Norland for subsequent repatriation to Argentina.
Concurrently Intrepid was instructed to assist the Falkland Islanders themselves to re-establish their normal pattern of life. The area we were assigned was the whole of West Falkland and most of East Falkland (less the immediate environs of Port Stanley, Goose Green and Darwin) and to undertake the task we were able to use 4 Sea King helicopters from 846 Squadron to fly teams ashore. Altogether 35 settlements were visited to check that the community were in a good state of health, to identify any shortages of food or other necessities, and to take a full census of the population.
Not surprisingly the teams received a tremendous welcome and they found that the islanders were fit and cheerful. As far as could be determined in the areas visited, very few had suffered any privations but we were able to send working parties to help clean up properties which had been occupied and to distribute certain urgently needed supplies. The Sea King Supermarket – a helo filled up with a range of commodities (e.g. flour, salt, tea, coffee, sugar and other vital items – toilet rolls, etc.) toured the settlements to make sure that their stocks were sufficient to last until the next resupply boat appeared. When it was heard that a little boy in one settlement was about to have a birthday the cooks on board set about making a large birthday cake and assembled a collection of sweets from the ship’s company all of which were delivered by helicopter on the due date to the little boy’s obvious delight.
While this was going on various items of equipment were being loaded into ships at San Carlos for transfer round to Port Stanley so that the airfield and the surrounding defences could be established. Intrepid sailed round to Port Stanley and the landing craft were used to assist in the off load of equipment into the town. Finally, when we were finally ordered to sail for UK having embarked 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery, two large landing craft were left behind to continue with the unloading of stores for the repair of the airfield for Sea Harrier operations.
Our passage home has been busy as we have been working hard to bring the ship up to a high standard of cleanliness before our arrival. Of course, we have had some fun as well, like the ceremonial visit by King Neptune and his Court when we were crossing the Equator – all the appropriate people were ‘tried’ for their various ‘offences’ and received the usual sentence of a lathering with soap, a shave and a ducking much to the amusement and cheering of the watching crowd.
Naturally we are all excited about our homecoming, full of pride with what we have helped to achieve and yet remembering all those who died fighting for this particularly just cause. Of those who died we are particularly remembering the crew of the landing craft from HMS Fearless which was sunk by aircraft attack and have now raised £6000 on board to go to the next of kin.
See also: