Who are we?

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 Former Royal Marine, Joined in 1972 first draft to the Falkland Islands NP8901 in 1977, during the Falkland War was serving with Commando Logistic Regiment. 

I have been working with returning veterans and NOK since 2002,  soon after becoming Chairman of SAMA FI Trust 82.  I've been helping with Liberty Lodge since its very early beginnings when it was a dream for Smokey Cole. 

In 2010 I was awarded a MBE for my work with veterans returning to the Falkland Islands. I am now proud to be the Chairman of the charity “FVF Liberty Lodge FI”.

 born 10th March 1955 in Chesterton  Staffordshire, I lived most of my life in Tunstall Stoke on Trent I enlisted in the Army and joined the Army Catering Corps serving in Cyprus , Northern Ireland, Germany as well as United Kingdom. 

I came to the Falkland Islands on Op Corporate in 1982 as I was serving with 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment. 

After the Battle of Goose Green I was fortunate to meet my wife Teena who had been locked up in the Community Hall we were married in 1983  and have 2 Daughters Terrianne 21 12 1985, and Krysteen 18 12 1988, I also have a son Liam 22 2 1976 and a daughter Mellissa 11 5 1978. 

On leaving the Army in 1995 we settled here in the Islands, I became a committee member of SAMA FI Trust 82 and took on the role of Treasurer/Trustee which I am still doing to this date I have also just recently took on the position of Trustee for FVF Liberty Lodge F.I. as the Trustees in UK were retiring. 

I also do other Charity work in the Islands , I am a Trustee of the Local Youth Club The Shack 20 years, I am a trustee of Cancer Support and Awareness Trust, I am also the Senior Standard Bearer for the 6 Standards we parade and I personally carry the SAMA FI Trust 82 Standard. 

My hobbies are Park Run, Stamp Collecting, and I also work the Summer Season as a tour guide .

Born 24th June 1950 in Port Stanley, Falkland Islands.

Joined the Falkland Islands Defence Force in 1966 and had just completed basic training when the Aerolineas Argentinas DC4 hi-jacking occurred on 28th September 1966 and remained on active service until March 1967.

After serving a 5-year apprenticeship as a Wireless Operator with the British Antarctic Survey, spent 18 months at South Georgia as Wireless Operator/Technician. On returning to the Falklands was seconded to the Falkland Islands Company for a short period as Radio Officer on the RMS Darwin. In 1972 returned to the Antarctic for a further 15 months at BAS Base F, returning shortly before BAS transferred their operation in the Falklands to Cable & Wireless in October 1974.

Was WOII (Force Sargent Major) and in charge of external communications at the Cable & Wireless office on the night of 1st/2nd April 1982. Subsequently arrested and interned at Fox Bay for the duration of the Conflict.

Represented the Falkland Islands Defence Force at the “City of London’s Salute to the Task Force” parade in October 1982.

Commissioned in 1983 and commanded the Force for 11 years and retired from active service in 1996, transferring to the reserve platoon and finally retiring in 2017.

Represented the Falkland Islands in the full-bore rifle shooting team at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.

Represented the Falkland Islands Defence Force at the “VJ” 50th Anniversary Commemorations in London.

A member of the Volunteer Fire Brigade for many years and was Fire Chief from 1979 – 1982 and again in 1984.

   I’m a sixth generation born and bred Falkland Islander currently working for the Falkland Islands Government. I’ve had the pleasure of growing up welcoming veterans’ home to their Islands with some staying at our house. More recently I have been part of the driving team taking veterans out around East Falklands with my dad, Keith. 

I lived in the UK for 6 years when I went away for College in Chichester and University in Winchester, I graduated with a BA (Hons) in Educational Studies and Drama – I am a fully qualified Drama Queen! As soon as I graduated in 2016 I came home and started working for the Government. Alongside this I’ve worked as a nanny, cook for shearers, ballet teacher, tour guide and anything else I can try my hand at. 

In 2013 I had the honour of attending Lady Thatcher’s funeral as part of the Falkland Islands cohort. Throughout 2022 I was part of the 40th Anniversary committee involved in the yearlong commemorations, with the highlight being able to meet and host visiting veterans and Next of Kin in November 2022.

While I was born 12 years after the war I’ve always been indebted to the brave servicemen and women, without whom I wouldn’t be here. I’m delighted to be a trustee for FVF Liberty Lodge and will continue to do as much as I can to show my gratitude. 

I am a Former Royal Marine who served for over 26 years, joining in 1989 and retired from active duty in 2016. A Mountain Leader, ML1, who served around the globe with operational tours in Iraq, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan.

I first came to the Falkland Islands in 2011, on an accompanied draft with my family as the Permanent Staff Instructor with the Falkland Islands Defence Force (FIDF). During my 4 years with the FIDF it was a privilege to revisit Battlefield locations with Falklands War Veterans from all services, following in their footsteps, listening to their first hand experiences during the war. 

As a family we thoroughly enjoyed our time living in the Falkland Islands, being part of the community and we considered the RMA FI to be our second family whilst here.

My wife and I returned to the UK in 2015, our children remained in the Falkland Islands to make it their home.  In 2023 we decided to permanently move back to the Falklands to be with our growing family, we now have two grandchildren.

I now serve King and Country once again, swapping my coveted Green Beret for the FIDF beret and I am honoured to have recently been Commissioned to be their Second in Command. 

I look forward to meeting Veterans and families who return to the islands and I am delighted to have been asked to become a trustee for FVF Liberty Lodge.

 Falkland Islander Born on 30th March 1965.

Worked all my life in the Falkland Islands from working on sheep farms and part owner in a farm for several years on West Falklands.

Then moved on to catering side of things, cooking for the road gang on the West Island and when that finished up moved to the capital Stanley, where I took up employment at Malvina house hotel waitressing and then receptionist.

Moving from there to the Rose Bar to work in the kitchen and serving customers.

Started work part time at liberty lodge in March 2021 before being promoted to manager a year later.

My Job has a variety of tasks from bookings to organising trips for guests’ requests, bookkeeping to name but a few. I would say one of the most important things is being there for our guest with an open ear or a shoulder for comfort.

I Love what I do and to be able to meet so many wonderful people and be able to help veterans and NOK, and hopefully bring some closure for so many of them.

This was by far the best decision I have made in my career.

 Alan, most commonly known as ‘Sharkey’ served on board HMS Herald as a Marine Engineering Mechanic ‘Stoker’ during the Falklands War.  

Sharkey has just started his 48th year in The Royal Navy having joined in July 1977.  Sharkey is currently deployed and based at Mount Pleasant in The Falkland Islands until 2027/2028. His role there with NEFI (Naval Engineering Falkland Islands) is as the carpenter and this involves the maintenance and repairs of many of The Falkland Memorials from 1982.   

In 2019/2020 Sharkey and his wife JoJo helped raised over £10,000 for the Liberty Lodge which helps towards the running costs  

Sharkey is due to retire from The Royal in 2027/2028 and is looking forward to becoming more involved with the Charity 

Andy Trish served aboard HMS Hermes during the Falklands War, while his brother David was simultaneously serving on HMS Antelope. 

After 17 years of service in the Royal Navy, Andy transitioned to civilian life, founding his own IT company. From humble beginnings as a one-man operation, he grew the business into a highly successful global enterprise, earning numerous awards along the way, including prestigious worldwide recognition from Microsoft.

In addition to his business achievements, Andy is a Trustee of two other charities. His connection to the Falklands remains strong, and he was honoured to be named an Ambassador for Liberty Lodge FI.  This cause is deeply personal to him, having returned to the Islands multiple times since the war and witnessed the positive impact of providing a peaceful, comfortable place for veterans to stay. He understands first-hand how meaningful it is for veterans to have a sanctuary where they can reconnect with one another.

Reflecting on his experiences, Andy shares: “The work we did as youngsters has made such a difference to so many, yet it is us, as we age, who get to truly appreciate how grateful the Islanders are."