Falklands veterans share stories with pupils

Veterans of the Falklands War have held a remembrance service for Shropshire school children, where they shared their experiences of the conflict.

Held at St Mary's Church, Market Drayton, the service was organised by the local branch of the Royal British Legion.

One of the veterans there was Tony Matthews, who served as a mechanical engineer marine on board the HMS Alacrity.

“It’s good because this is actually living history. People have still got stories and we can still tell stories,” he said.

"Sometimes [the war] feels like it was yesterday, especially with the wars going on now.

"You think: 'Why, why, why?' We didn’t want to go to war, but sometimes we have to."

Speaking of his role in the battle, which sought to liberate the islands after Argentina invaded them in 1982, Mr Matthews said it was a poignant time for him.

"I lost friends and colleagues down in the Falklands," he said.

"They’re still on watch down there."

"It was actually really interesting, because without experiencing it, you can think about what they went through," said 10-year-old Ella from Longlands Primary School.

Autumn, 10, added: “They explained it very clearly to us.

"I liked how we could see some of the pictures."

Her classmate, Lena, said: "It was interesting but kind of emotional."

On Remembrance Sunday, Mr Matthews will take part in a march and go to the local cenotaph, carrying the standard.

"I'm doing it for them," he said of his fallen comrades.

"They can’t do it, so I’ll do it for them.

“I didn’t wear my medal for 20 years because I didn’t feel I deserved it. But I wear it now for those guys who can’t."

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