2019 Lord West reads a lesson on 17th June 2018 the Chapel Memorial Room. Our the Chapel which means so much CHAIRMAN’S LETTER thanks to everyone who has helped. to so many. Life at the Falklands Chapel has The Chaplain, Rev. Neil Jeffers, At the Falklands Chapel, we The Trustees and I are hugely been almost as busy this year as will willingly accommodate are indebted to so many of you grateful to a Friend who died in last year. This goes to show that veterans and families who may wish for helping us, whatever your May and bequeathed the Chapel a remembrance is not just about to request services, or prayers, or a contribution. Our Friends, who wonderful legacy in memory of his anniversaries; it is a perpetual group visit tailored to their needs. provide regular income, are key brother who was killed in action on facet of our lives which must be One such occasion, in September, to our being able to maintain board RFA Sir Galahad in 1982. continued for present and future was a Memorial Service for Captain the Chapel. In addition our good (Page 2) generations. Steven Hughes RAMC/2 Para in relations with organisations and 1982. (Page 2/3). Rev. Jeffers also charities such as the ABF Soldiers And finally, I am pleased to be able At the June 2018 Annual Service, conducted a Memorial Service for Charity, the RNBT, Seafarers to inform you that the 2019 Service we welcomed a number of our Commander Keith Evans Royal UK and the Falkland Islands of Remembrance and Thanksgiving regular attendees and many Navy, an Old Pangbournian, who Government have meant that, will be held on Sunday 16th June newcomers. These included high- was a familiar figure, albeit latterly when larger sums are needed, at 12.00 and we look forward to ranking representatives from the wheelchair bound, at every Annual they have always been there seeing many of you again. Royal Navy, the Army and the Service. During the year we were to support us. The costs of our Royal Air Force along with our also sad to record the deaths of Air Annual Service and newsletter, With very best wishes to you all for President, Lord West of Spithead, Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire, a which are probably the most vital the coming year. the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, former Chapel Trustee representing facets of our work, are considerable Mr James Puxley, and Sukey the RAF, and Surgeon Captain Rick but are every bit as important. Major General Jeff Mason Cameron of the Falkland Islands Jolly who had been instrumental in We thank you all for being there for Chairman of the Trustees Government. We were also pleased donating the SAMA’82 Garden to welcome representatives from of Remembrance computer in the Almighty God, from whom all some of the charities who have PRAYER FOR Memorial Room of the Chapel for helped us, as well as many families thoughts of truth and peace proceed: its official opening in 2000. THE YEAR and veterans. We are always by Reverend Neil Jeffers kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all, pleased to accommodate increasing Following the success of the Wish the true love of peace and guide with numbers of reunion groups, and for a Window appeal, so generously your pure and peaceable wisdom those new to the event this year, were supported by so many of you, I am who take counsel for the nations of the a group of 2&3 Para veterans and pleased to report that the work earth that in tranquillity your kingdom the engineering artificers’ Fisgard to replace the 144 window panes Association, the latter having been above the Chapel’s main entrance may go forward, till the earth is filled busy raising significant funds for was completed over the summer. with the knowledge of your love; the Chapel Trust. There was also a Contributors to this appeal are through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. record number of Standard Bearers! acknowledged in the appeal (Francis Paget, 1851-1911) (Report pages 4/5) register on permanent display in 2018 chapel events BZ The Fisgard Alan’s War Diary Association! On 16th August 2018 a group Commenting on the visit, Major of veterans, accompanied by General Mason said: “It was a their wives, visited the Chapel privilege to meet HMS Alacrity’s to present FIMCT Chairman, flight team and their families Major General Jeff Mason, with at the Chapel and a pleasure a copy of ‘HMS Alacrity in the to receive Alan’s diary of the Falklands War 1982’ for the Campaign; it is a very special Chapel Library. The gentlemen gift for the library and well worth were all members of the Ship’s a read.” Flight team in 1982. Many years ago when the Chapel The author of this diary of was first built, the Ship’s Bell experiences was Alan Slater, from HMS Alacrity was given to Senior Maintenance Rating, who the then Trustees who decided was joined by other members that it would make an ideal font. including Flight Commander, It has since ‘christened’ many From February to June 2018 of Fisgardians, including Eric Bob Burrows, Pilot Rob babies and was brought out of members of the FISGARD and his wife plus Chairman Pat Sleeman and Electrical Engineer its home in the vestry for the ASSOCIATION (Engineering Bradley and his wife and Reg Chris Read. Flight Team’s visit. Artificers) collectively raised Maitland and his wife, joined the the remarkable sum of £3,400, throng at the Annual Service with gift aid added, for the where Eric made a special Chapel Trust! cheque presentation to Chapel President, Lord West. It all started when Eric Haskell, Deputy Weapons Engineering Chapel Chairman Major Officer on board HMS Alacrity General Jeff Mason subsequently in 1982, visited the Chapel with thanked Association Members his wife in November 2017. by writing to the Chairman, Pat Such was their admiration of Bradley, in a letter published the memorial building that he in the autumn edition of the suggested sponsoring a Seat or a Fisgardian magazine: window pane, in memory of the 14 engineering artificers who lost “It was a great pleasure for all their lives in 1982, to his fellow of us at the Falklands Chapel to Fisgardians. Magnanimously they meet your group of members at agreed and an appeal for funds our Annual Service and I know L to R: Major General Jeff Mason, Alan Slater (front) / Ruth Sleeman, Pat Read, June Slater (middle) Rob Sleeman - Lynx Pilot, Bob Burrows - Flight Commander, Chris Read - Chief Electrician was launched in the February that Lord West was delighted to edition of the FISGARDIAN receive your very large cheque! magazine. As the weeks rolled You have now succeeded in on the Fisgard Association’ sponsoring not one but two Secretary, Reg Maitland, was Seats in the Chapel and have kept very busy collecting, logging contributed greatly to our Wish and mailing numerous donations for a Window appeal. Thank you from generous members to the for your collective generosity Chapel Secretary, Angela Perry. and a significant contribution to By June the donations had our funds.” totalled £2,723 and a cohort A Welcome Legacy... The memorial bench pictured here acknowledges a most generous legacy to the Chapel from Chapel ‘Friend’ – Graeme S Henry – whose brother was killed in 1982: In Memory of Paul A Henry GM RFA, Sir Galahad KIA in 1982 From His Brother Graeme S Henry deceased 5th May 2018 : “…my hero who showed me the true meaning of what being human is about – putting others first, always..” Enjoying the moment! Lord West and Eric Haskell 2018 chapel events Remembering a very special Doctor When you read about the Chapel, Major General Julian montage of photographs of ‘Doc’ inspiring and extraordinary Thompson CB OBE, and Lt Gen Hughes, as he was known. medical capabilities of Captain Sir Hew Pike KCB DSO MBE. Amy “Doc Hughes saved my life Steven Hughes RAMC 2 Para was joined by her mother Carol, twice,” Dave ‘Charlie’ Brown during some of the bloodiest brothers Jamie and David, her tells us. “The first was after the battles in the Falklands War aunt Lesley Ann and paternal war in the 80’s; I was in a very and beyond, it does not surprise grandparents Ken and Sylvia. bad way with PTSD living in you that so many of his former After a rousing first hymn … London with my parents. I had colleagues and veteran patients And did those feet in ancient a job with 10 Para at White gathered to remember him on A moving tribute: Amy Hughes time… Amy and her god-father, City who put me in touch Friday 14th September at the Lance Corporal Bill Bentley, with ‘Doc’ who was working at Falklands Chapel in Pangbourne. former colleague and close friend Hammersmith Hospital and, He was clearly a remarkable of Steve Hughes, made their even though he admitted to man whose sense of foresight own personal tributes to him. suffering PTSD himself, he saved and preparation for what was to Amy highlighted her father’s my life by putting me in touch come was key to the survival of formidable power of compassion with psychiatrist Dr Morgan many an embattled soldier during and told how he had taught her O’Connell, and I joined his the events of 1982. Attached to the importance of kindness to re-hab programme at HMS 2 Para, under the command of others; Bill for his part said that Haslar in Portsmouth. Doc Lt.