Veterans minister Brown returns for Falklands memorial

A Scottish Government minister who served in the Falklands has paid tribute to the “many brave Scots” involved in the conflict as he prepared to return to the islands.

Veterans minister Keith Brown is travelling to the Falklands for a memorial service to mark the 30th anniversary of its 1982 liberation this week.

Brown, who served with 45 Commando, will visit key sites in the battle for the islands. He will also officially represent Scotland’s veterans during the Liberation Day events on Thursday.

He said: “Many brave Scots were part of the task force that set sail to liberate the Falkland Isles, as were the service personnel from other parts of the UK who were based in, and who travelled from, Scotland.

“I was able to witness the tremendous courage, in the face of great danger and huge logistical challenges, that the men and women of the armed forces displayed to repel the Argentine invasion.”

Brown is due to arrive in the South Atlantic islands tomorrow.

He will visit Volunteer Point on Tuesday and Blue Beach cemetery and Fox Bay on Wednesday.

On Thursday, he will take part in the Liberation Day service and parade, organised by the Falkland Islands government in the capital, Port Stanley, three decades on from the war.

Speaking before he set off, Brown said: “Travelling to the Falklands 30 years on will mean I can thank, on behalf of Scotland, all those who sacrificed so much and showed such dedication and determination to repel the invasion.

“I will be able to pay particular tribute to all those Scots, and others who travelled from Scotland, as well as those who were part of the task force who have since made their home in Scotland. While the Falklands conflict was three decades ago, this anniversary should be a reminder of the first-class job that the armed forces did then and continue to do now on our behalf, and the debt we owe them.”