It is with great sadness that the assocation has learnt that Betty, mother of Jon Major, has passed away. Betty’s funeral took place on Thursday 19th November at Haltemprice Crematorium, Willerby.

Betty was a staunch supporter of the Assocation and attended all but one of our reunions. She is pictured here onboard the QEII in 2007 as part of the Assocation contingent attending the 25th year celebrations in Southampton. Jon would like to say thank you to everyone for their very kind words of condolence. 

Our condolences and thoughts are with Jon and his family at this sad time.

The 2009 annual wreath laying at the Falklands Maritime Memorial on Plymouth Hoe was very well attended on Remembrance Sunday.

Due to Len’s absence at work, Tony Ray laid the wreath.  He was supported by John and Jane Foster along with their son and daughter. Also attending was Mick Langley and his wife, Yorkie Cunningham, Kate Goddard and daughter. Paul Bodinham, with his mate from the St levan’s Inn, and several ex-Amazon crew who were there to greet Mike Brain who had come over from Australia for the Ambuscade reunion that took place on Friday 6 November.

John, Jane and family afterwards laid the second wreath at the HMS Ardent memorial Anchor at the China Fleet Club.

A reduced edition of Ardlines (29) has now been posted out and/or emailed to all Assocation members. It’s also available to download in the members area, a userid and password is required.

***Update****

Just in news that missed the newsletter:

The Official opening of the new Ardent accommodation block in HMS Raleigh will now not take place until the new Commanding Officer is in place.

As this will not happen until the end of the year the official opening will not take place until sometime in the New Year.  We will keep members posted as soon as we find out the date.

It is with great sadness that the association heard our shipmate Cliff Sharp lost his battle with lung cancer on 16 October 2009.

Cliff’s funeral took place on Tuesday 27 October 2009 at St James Church in Gorton.

The latest edition of Ardlines has now been emailed and posted out to all members. This edition covers the 2009 reunion as well as having the latest news from around the assocation.

The newsletter can also be downloaded now from the members area here.

On 10 January 2008, The Under-Secretary of State agreed to extend the use of indulgence Passage to the Falkland Islands on Aircraft of the RAF and other MOD chartered Aircraft to certain categories of Veterans of the 1982 South Atlantic Conflict. This scheme is Restricted “Solely” to holders of the South Atlantic Medal and does not include next of kin, other family members, partners or carers.

Veterans of the 1982 conflict who wish to return to the Falkland Islands are hereby encouraged to use the SAMA 82 sponsored Indulgence scheme and should apply for an application form by following the procedures in this attached note from SAMA which includes the contact details.