Following on from the article on the forum newsletter, Rupert Ballantyne had contacted me with the offer to send a copy of the diary he kept from May 12 to June 11, 1982. I have transcribed the text of the diary entries, so as to post on this forum topic. Having the opportunity to read what Rupert had written nearly 40 years ago was a fantastic experience. You can read official accounts or historical information but to have this first hand account that was written by a young man who was a member of Cunard's crew, gives a different perspective.
Rupert Ballantyne
QE2 Hotel Officer
Falklands Service
Log book 12 May 1982 to 11 June 1982
Voy400QE2
“This is an account of the daily activities as seen by myself on this memorable voyage”
Rupert Ballantyne
May 12: I was woken at dawn as the first troops boarded the vessel. Troops continued boarding until lunchtime, when all were onboard.
Amazing scenes as ship left the berth on schedule at 4 pm. At approximately 6 pm the ship anchored 3 miles South of NAB tower to carry out repairs overnight, to boilers.
6.30 pm 2 x Sea King Helicopters touched down on flight deck. I met up with Col. Tony Holt RA, friend of Chris Linn.
May 13: Woken up at 5.30 am by Gurkhas outside my cabin, training. Quite amazing seeing these soldiers running up and down Boat Deck. Serious training started all over the ship.
At 5.30 pm Sea King Helicopters took off two medical cases to Truro Hospital.
6.30 pm The first Replenishment at Sea (RAS) trial took place when RFA Grey Rover came 130 feet off Starboard Beam.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RFA_Grey_Rover_(A269)
May 14: More intensive early morning training by troops. Buzzed by Dutch Rec. plane at 11.30 am. More intensive weapon training in evidence. Live ammunition being used soon.
Meeting in Wardroom at lunchtime with Captain James RN, who informed the ship’s Officers that we would be at Freetown on Tuesday 18th and Ascension on the 20th. We would be there for three days before heading South. He also confirmed that there are two subs around - Quite alarming!
May 15: Ship now getting into a routine. Live ammunition used for the first time today. Helicopters in action most of the day and carried out first landing on forward pad. Quite warm today, thus I spent an hour in the sun.
May 16: Today is Sunday Church Services held onboard by the 3 padres - 1 RC, 1 C of E and 1 Scottish. I did my tour of duty in the kitchens. Blacking out the ship starts tomorrow. I was given an ID card issued by the Geneva Convention stating that in the event of capture all I had to give was my name.
May 17: More training going on everywhere round the ship. Troops now practicing embarking on helicopters with full kit.
During the afternoon Captain James and Brig. Wilson addressed the whole of the Cunard crew and explained what the mission was all about and answered questions.
Doctor had party for Army Medical Team in the evening.
May 18: Very sticky and clammy. We came alongside in Freetown at 11.30 am and sailed at 0100 hours the next day. More helicopter drills in the day time. Ship nearly totally blacked out this evening.
May 19: Equator day more weapon training. Helicopter landing trials.
Big ceremony as we crossed the line.
Change of plans we will lie 100 miles off Ascension and then after a day or two head South. South Georgia has been muted.
Blackout enforced.
May 20: We arrived 100 miles off Ascension at about 1 pm. HMS Dumbarton Castle met us. Our helicopters plus 1 RAF Rescue One, transferred 100 more troops plus equipment. A very interesting day!
Tony holt came by for a drink in the evening. He expressed concern about the safety of the ship and also the capabilities of the task force against the Argentine Garrison.
Russian intelligence ship seen today. Circled by a Nimrod.
May 21: Flying Stations called at 9.30 am. General Moore, 1 Brigadier and 5 Colonels flew in mid morning. Our 2 Sea King, 2 Wessex and 1 Chinook, brought in supplies and Mail. Vague news of invasion received.
May 22: More flying in the morning. Then Ascension seen for the last time and ship headed South. Ship’s Officers invited to Sgt’s. Mess after dinner for horse race meeting. Ended up £22 up! News of the first landings clarified and that Canberra went in very close has really hammered the seriousness of the situation home to everyone, including myself.
May 23: The second Sunday away. Church services took place again and were better attended - I can’t think why!
Machine guns put up on Bridge Wings and blow pipe by the funnel.
Weather beginning to get cooler. Rumour of another RAS flying around.
May 24: It is now confirmed that we are heading for South Georgia to rendezvous with some of the task force and Canberra, to transfer our troops. We should be there on 27th. The transfer will take a long time, mainly because of the equipment. Twice today we had to alter course very sharply as other ships had been seen on the horizon.
Also today we had news of forthcoming heavy weather. Blues tomorrow.
May 25: Still heading for South Georgia. Weather getting very much like an English Autumn. Rendezvousing with Antrim Noon on 27th as General Moore is going to Falkland. More Helicopter landing practices today in difficult conditions with high winds.
May 26: We now discover we are rendezvousing with HMS Antrim at 10 am to transfer General Moore and 80 Officers & men. Lt.Col. Tony Holt is leaving with his party. We then steam to South Georgia to meet Canberra and Norland and transfer troops. We then take the seamen who have lost their ships I.e. Sheffield, Ardent, Antelope, Coventry to Ascension. News about Coventry and Atlantic Conveyer has caused much concern in our crew.
counted....
