Remembrance Sunday/Armistice Day Sunday 11th November 2001 - Stanley Falkland Islands.
QE2 was on a voyage down the East coast of S/America and by coincidence, or possibly just good forward planning by Cunard, QE2 was scheduled to be anchored off Stanley in The Falkland Islands on Sunday 11th November 2001.
In remembrance of her Service during Op Corporate [the retaking of The Falkland Islands in 1982] QE2 had been invited to join the Islanders at their Remembrance Service and, as we would be at anchor The Captain, Ray Heath, & Staff Captain would not be able to leave the ship. As such, Captain Heath invited my self & The Ch Officer to attend on his behalf and lay wreaths from Cunard & QE2. I had formerly been a Royal Marine Warrant Officer and The Ch Off had worked for FI Government Fishery Protection, so we both had links to the islands.
The morning arrived but things were not going to be conducive to tendering from the outset, as there was a storm brewing and as such it was decided that the call would be cancelled. anybody who has visited Stanley will know that it's a long, difficult and fairly uncomfortable tender ride at the best of times, let along in rough weather. Still hoping to be able, at least, to join the islanders for their Remembrance Service The Captain tried hard to be able to launch one tender to take The Ch Off and myself ashore, but as time went on even this became impossible and the sad decision was made to totally abort the call.
A Remembrance Service was hastily arranged for later that morning in the Theatre onboard where the Wreaths were laid, instead of ashore.
I think that this was one of the last times, if not The last time, QE2 visited The Falkland Islands, so it was sad that it should end in such disappointment, not only for the passengers but also for The Islanders.
