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During our time in the Falklands, the Captain and ships company received lots of letters and telegrams of support. Many were from Chester our affiliated city, others from all over the country. Even one from the USA! All of them were touching, instilling a deep sense of pride and purpose for the task which lay ahead of us. We cannot possibly print them all in this one book but here are just a few of them, the tip of the iceberg as it were....

Nadeana Carter Aged 7
North Cheam Surrey

Dear Sailors,

I hope you are all getting on well. 1 keep hearing about you on the news, and I know you must be lonely because you are so far away. I thought it would be nice for you to have a letter from somebody back home. I thought I would write to you because I have seen your boat on television and it looks very nice.

Please be careful, and if you would like me to I will write to you again.
Love from Nadeana Carter. 7

1st Tarporley Cubs
Nr Chester

Dear BROADSWORD,

We hope the crew are feeling well and happy through all weathers.  We hope everything goes well, and we appreciate what you are doing for us, and I hope you come back safely because we are thinking about you all the time.

 

Red Six. Roy Sant, Anthony Ogden, Paul Dutton

Helen Aged 7

2nd Vicars Cross Brownies
Chester

Dear Sailors,

All the 2nd Vicars Brownies are thinking of you so are other people. I hope you are not seasick and I hope you're safe and come back safe and people that have died I feel sorry for them and 1 hope no one else will be hurt. I think you are very brave. All the best.

 

Helen Aged 7

Portswood
Southampton

Dear HMS BROADSWORD,

I am 15 years old and a pupil at Hampton Park School and also a L/C in the Army Cadet Force, and I know the type of conditions you are going through, and I am behind you 100^. tf I could get there and join you I would* 1 think your cause is just and right. As for the Pilots in the Task Force they are doing a marvelous job and especially the SBS and SAS and all the TASK. FORCE. Keep it up. If any of you out there can write and tell me how you are and that you have received by letter I would be pleased to hear from you because you can't rely on news reports.

Good luck HMS BROADSWORD and all the Task Force and get the Falkland s back for Britain.

 

Keep your heads down lads. (Ed. - we did!)

Leon Goston

We heard with great regret that your ship had been hit. Whilst we don' t have any members of our family serving with the Task Force» we feel for all of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God be with you all in your difficult task. A safe return to Home Port.

The Sanson Family

Deborah Lennon
St Annes
Lytham St Annes
Lancs

Dear Hero's

Congratulations! Bravo! Well done! Three Cheers! Felicitations! HAIL! You are the best in the World! What more can I say. Lots of love, Hugs and Kisses to you all.

Deborah

Hi Chaps

Its me again, just a few lines to let you know that everyone back home is still thinking of you.

The atmosphere in Britain is tremendous. Everyone is so proud and concerned for you all.

I've had a really good tee-shirt made. It says "Stick it up your Junta" on the front and "The British Empire Strikes Back" on the back. Everyone thinks its great. I've even been stopped in the street by people who have said "That it, you tell them".

 

God bless, look after yourselves, lots and lots of love to all of you.

Deborah

Hollywood
Florida 33020
USA

Ships Company, HMS BROADSWORD,

Just a short note to tell you we are keeping abreast of the news, and know exactly what you are going through. Very shortly you will all be back home safely and happily with your families and friends. We believe in what you are doing and are very proud of each and every one of you. You are in our prayers daily. Keep your spirits high, you are heroes in our eyes. God bless.

Take care, Your friends in Fort Lauderdale

PS. We are 100^ behind you

CPO Derek Kimber
c/o HMS NELSON
(HMS COVENTRY Ships Co)
Portsmouth Hants

Dear Mr P.

On behalf of the COVENTRY CPO Mess I would like to thank you for the assistance and hospitality which you offered to all those members of our ships company on the 25th May 82.

On reflection your own troubles were equal to ours and yet everyone onboard has remarked on the calm and kindly way we were looked after.

We always felt safe with your ship around us and we all wish you luck in your continued front line roll.

If we may be of assistance with any problems at the Pompey end on your eventual return, please do not hesitate to contact me. I have enclosed my home address as a contact point, or barracks if you prefer. Please pass my personal regards to Bill Skilleter and remind him it's his round next.

 

Yours with sincere thanks,
Derek Kimber

SIGNALS

From: CRF

To: TF

Operation Sutton.

The following message has been received from Mr Rex Hunt, Governor of the Falklands, and is forwarded with pleasure. On behalf of the Falkland Islands government, the councils and the people of the Falkland Islands. I should like to express my respect and admiration for the Armed Forces under your command now operating in and around the Falkland Islands. My appreciation for their courage and dedication under the most difficult conditions, and my deepest condolences to those who have lost relatives and friends in the recent actions to reoccupy the Falklands and dislodge the Argentine agressor.

No one can doubt that right was on our side, and that the aggressor cannot be allowed to enjoy his spoils, I know I speak for all Falkland Islanders when I say that they have been encouraged and heartened by the tremendous British response and that their gratitude to the brave troops under your command knows no bounds.

From: MODUK NAVY

To: TASK FORCE

Now that the Falkland Islands are repossessed the Admiralty Board wishes to congratulate everyone in, the Naval Service, whether uniformed. Civilian or in the Merchant Marine who have had a part to play in this brilliantly successful operation* Those who have seen act ion have shown qualities of skill fortitude and bravery which have won the admiration of the whole nation* The hard work, dedicated professionalism and ingenuity of all those involved in support of the front line have also been superb. It has been a magnificent team effort.

We all feel great sadness for the many who have been killed or injured their sacrifice has been for a good and just cause and our thoughts are with them and with their families. WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

From: CTF

To: TF

Operation Corporate.

Following received from Chiefs of Staff and fowarded with the greatest pleasure.

At this historic moment the Chiefs of staff send you and all those engaged on Operation Corporate under your command our warmest congratulations on the exemplary and brilliant way you have carried out all the tasks given to you by Her Majestys Government against very considerable odds.

We are enormously proud of the Gallantry, Stamina and Professionalism shown at every stage of this operation by the Armed Services, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary the Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service, the Merchant Marine and other civilian members of the Task Force.

Our thoughts at this time are also very much with the families of chose who have lost their lives and with those who have suffered wounds in the service of their Country*

We echo the admiration and gratitude of the Nation when we say quote WELL DONE unquote.

From: CTF

To: TF

Personal from CINC.

I have had the honour to receive the following message from Her Majesty the Queen and pass it to you all with great pleasure. Quote, I send my warmest congratulations to you and to all under your command for the splendid way in which you have achieved the liberation of the Falkland Islands. Britain is very proud of the way you have served your Country. Signed Elizabeth R. Unquote.

From: Captain HMS COVENTRY

To: Captain HMS BROADSWORD                    Dated: 27th May 1982

My survivors were overwhelmed by the sympathetic assistance and the generosity of your Ship's crew, especially in the difficult circumstances under which you were operating. Thank you very much indeed.

CPO NOYES and LAEM KOSIOR in good heart.
Your slippers in Fort Austin! Good Luck!

From: CTG 317.8

To: All Ships. CTG 317.I
                    CTG 317.0                  Dated: 26th June 1982

Letters of congratulation, thanks, support, and sympathy continue to pour in. The following text from one such letter is typical and shows the pride, gratitude and depth of feeling being expressed as the result of your achievements.

"There are many formal expressions of thanks and gratitude being made over here, miles away from the appalling conditions that the members of the Land and Sea Forces are experiencing. I hope that you can find a way, with the sophisticated equipment at your disposal, to send thanks and three cheers to all members of your Task Force from this particular, most grateful family.

You have been in our thoughts day and night for weeks, as we are aware of the relative luxury we live in, and the small price we pay for our freedom and peace.

Thank you to all of you who make this freedom and peace possible. May you all be home soon, and safely.

We shall remember those who will not now come home, and their families"