Falklands veterans share stories with pupils

PARAPHRASED_TITLE: Falklands War Veterans Share Experiences with Shropshire Students
CATEGORY: Education
PARAPHRARED_CONTENT:
A remembrance service was conducted by Falklands War veterans for school children in Shropshire, during which they recounted their experiences from the conflict. This event took place at St Mary’s Church in Market Drayton and was arranged by the Royal British Legion’s local branch.

Among the veterans present was Tony Matthews, who served as a mechanical engineer marine aboard the HMS Alacrity. He stated, “It’s good because this is actually living history. People have still got stories and we can still tell stories.”

Mr. Matthews remarked, “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.”

Reflecting on his involvement in the battle, which aimed to reclaim the islands following Argentina’s invasion in 1982, Mr. Matthews described it as a deeply moving period for him.

He shared, “I lost friends and colleagues down in the Falklands,” adding, “They’re still on watch down there.”

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

Another 10-year-old, Autumn, further stated, “They explained it very clearly to us. I liked how we could see some of the pictures.”

Her classmate, Lena, observed, “It was interesting but kind of emotional.”

On the upcoming Remembrance Sunday, Mr. Matthews plans to participate in a march and visit the local cenotaph, where he will carry the standard. Regarding his fallen comrades, he expressed, “I’m doing it for them. 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.”