Page 20 - Flaming Cauldron – Issue 60

ACC ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Catering Platoon 2nd Bn Scots Guards –

Falklands Islands 40th Anniversary

Members of the Catering Platoon the 2nd Bn Bellew replied ‘It’s ok, I’ll stay as I am!’ ‘I’m not asking you,
Scots Guards met 18th June 2022 at the Mercure I’m telling you!’ Came the reply. By the time I changed and
York Fairfield Hotel, York to commemorate and got into my bag shaking and feeling out of it, Colour Sergeant
remember their time and experiences during Rankin had thrust a mug of tea in my hand. ‘Drink it, it will
the Falkland’s War – 40 years on. stop the hyperthermia!’ I drank up and went to sleep, Jimmy
On the lead up to the dinner, two of those right beside me to stop me uncontrollably shivering.
that deployed in 1982 (Nick Corbett and Matt It was an act of kindness I will never ever forget and helped
Bellew) designed and created a handout titled Echoes changed my whole ethos as a person. God bless you Colour
of 82 One platoon’s memories of 40 years ago. It is from this Sergeant Jimmy Rankin, rest in peace and I will never forget you.”
document that I have used to provide a snapshot of their Matt Bellew
memories – the full printed handout is available on the ACC
Association website (document library) – I thank them for I was only 20 in 1982, when I was pitched into a battle
Echelon “
allowing use of this document. on a cold, wet and wind swept rock, somewhere near the
1982 – Catering Platoon 2nd Bn Scots Guards South Pole. Almost 40 years later, it all seems so surreal, like
a film I watched as a kid. I only ever talk about it with people
Left Flank G Coy Right Flank who were there, but on occasion, other friends and family
Sgt Taylor Sgt Wilson LSgt Whittall SQMS Connor have asked me how I felt about it. The overriding emotion is
LCpl Thompson LCpl Galvin LCpl Morling Sgt Backhurst of sadness for the loss of life, mixed with immense pride in
Pte Martin Pte Corbett LCpl Skates LSgt Trodden what we achieved and the knowledge that when called upon,
Pte Queen Pte Stewart Pte Bottoms LCpl Miles I did my bit with courage.”
Pte Bellew Nick Corbett
Pte Delves
Pte Green I did everything in the space of 4 months, I had never
Pte Houston-Robb sailed in a boat and yet I went on the QE2, the Canberra
Pte Laycock and sailed down to the Falklands.
I had never been in a chopper and flew in a chinook, I also
Echoes of 82
flew o
“n airplane. Another 3 things I had never done: I got the
The 6th June 1982 is quite hazy for me and for good rea- chance to go on HMS Invincible for 2 days R&R. And to
“ end it all I got caught up in a little war and once I did all that
son. After an 8 hour journey exposed to the full force of
the South Atlantic sea, I entered a small boat shed with dozens
I got to go to Buckingham Place to get my Medal. Not bad
of others freezing cold, soaked to the skin and mentally beaten.
for 4 months.”
I was suddenly woken up by a soft Scottish voice. ‘Get out of
your clothes, get changed and into your grot bag,’ Belligerent Joe M Queen
Catering Platoon – A Bit of Soldiering

PAGE 20 SECRETARY@ACCASSOCIATION.ORG | WWW.ACCASSOCIATION.ORG