Falklands troops in Thatcher funeral plans

A line of British soldiers in camouflage advancing during the Falklands War. Some troops from the war will be involved in Margaret Thatcher's funeral service. Source: Getty Images

SOLDIERS involved in recapturing the Falkland Islands will be involved in the funeral procession for former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Details of the funeral came as Baroness Thatcher's son spoke for the first time of his 87-year-old mother's death on Monday saying she would have been "honoured and humbled" by her funeral arrangement and particularly the planned attendance by the Queen.

The British Ministry of Defence said today the Welsh Guards would be among the troops and act as coffin bearers next Wednesday during Baroness Thatcher's funeral procession from The Strand to St Paul Paul's Cathedral.

The Welsh Guards, which suffered heavy losses during the Falklands conflict with 32 fatalities among 48 members of the British forces who died when troop ship Sir Galahad was bombed by the Argentines in May 1982.

Baroness Thatcher's coffin will be taken on a Gun Carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery from St Clement Danes Church, the church of the Royal Air Force, in the Strand to St Paul's.

The Gun Carriage will be drawn by six horses, three of which are to be mounted, with a sergeant riding alongside, an officer riding in front and three dismounted troops on foot.

A Bearer Party made up of all three services will walk alongside the coffin, and will include those from ships, units and stations notable for their service during the Falklands Campaign.

Members will be taken from the Royal Navy/Royal Marines; the Scots Guards; the Welsh Guards; the Royal Artillery; the Royal Engineers; the Parachute Regiment; the Royal Gurkha Rifles; and the RAF.

A band of Royal Marines will also take part in the procession, and as it takes place the Honourable Artillery Company will fire Processional Minute Guns from the Tower of London.

Sir Mark Thatcher said his mother had been blessed with "a long life, and a very full one", but her death was a very sad moment.

"We have quite simply been overwhelmed by messages of support, condolence, of every type, from far and wide, and I know that my mother would be pleased they have come from people of all walks of life," he said.

Sir Mark added the messages of support following his mother's death would be a "source of encouragement and strength as we face the inevitable days ahead".

Yesterday, Prime Minister David Cameron led the tributes to Baroness Thatcher's legacy at a hastily recalled parliament.

Mr Cameron gave an animated address, peppered with colourful anecdotes from her life, illustrating her contrast as a strong leader and a caring and loving wife and mother.

He recognised many in the House, particularly from Labour ranks, would have profoundly disagreed with her policies but he said it showed the importance of British statesmanship that so many attended parliament during what is suppose to have been a recess.

He said she was an "extraordinary woman" who had rescued Britain from post-war decline and while her policies were controversial, many were now accepted by politicians of all colours.

"They say 'cometh the hour, cometh the man', well in 1979 came the hour and came the lady," Mr Cameron told the House.

"She made the political weather, she made history, and - let this be her epitaph - she made our country great again."

Leader of the Opposition Ed Miliband gave a very measured, deft view of her legacy, praising her for recognising the economy needed to change, right to recognise the Falklands needed to be defended, right to reach out to Mikhail Gorbachev – that would later lead to the thawing of the Cold War and warned of climate change before many people had even heard of the term. She broke the mould in many respects he said.

But he said it had to be recognised she also created deep divisions, her policies had left communities feeling anger and abandonment and some sections like gays and lesbians felt stigmatised, she was wrong in action against the miners and misdirected in her criticism of Nelson Mandela.

He said she did however define the age and take on established orthodoxies and believed that ideology mattered.

Third speaker for the day was Tory MP John Redwood, a former chief policy adviser for Baroness Thatcher who became an MP himself, described her as the best boss he had ever had. He began his speech praising both the prime minister and Opposition leader for their very fine tributes.

A substantial number of Labour MPs chose not to attend the recalled Westminster sitting.
 

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Falklands troops in Thatcher funeral plans

Dengan url

http://dewasaseo.blogspot.com/2013/04/falklands-troops-in-thatcher-funeral.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Falklands troops in Thatcher funeral plans

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Falklands troops in Thatcher funeral plans

sebagai sumbernya