Attention: You are using an outdated browser, device or you do not have the latest version of JavaScript downloaded and so this website may not work as expected. Please download the latest software or switch device to avoid further issues.
13 Nov 2022 | |
Written by Phillip Plato | |
OP News |
Amongst the many acts of Remembrance this Sunday, the country rightfully also commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War. It seems appropriate therefore that on the eve of the Remembrance Service shortly to take place in the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel at the College this year, to also remember the 255 UK service personnel who lost their lives in this brutal campaign and to reflect upon the contribution made by OPs in this war.
Whilst mercifully, no OPs were lost to this conflict, fifty one former cadets of Pangbourne College, were involved with the South Atlantic Task Force sent to protect the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands in 1982. Of the Old Pangbournians involved, thirty-five were in the Royal Navy, six were Royal Marines, five were serving in the Merchant Navy, one in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and three were in the Army. A further Old Pangbournian civilian was captured and was later liberated
Thirteen Old Pangbournians were decorated for their part in the Falklands Campaign and four were serving on vessels lost to enemy action.
Pangbournians around the globe may wish to watch a video recognising the contribution made by OPs in this conflict. The video can be found at the bottom of the page in the link herein which also contains all the still images from the OP 40th Anniversary Commemorative weekend in Portsmouth, the link to which is - Commemorative Video of OPs contributions to the Falkland War .
There have been few OP novelists among the one hundred or so published OP authors. We now have one more with the 2024 publication of “Barty – A Tale of a Stolen Bronze.” by James… More...
On Monday 2nd December, 22 OPs gathered for a Christmas lunch in the renowned 'ye olde' pub, the Wykeham Arms. More...
Richard Givan (1957-60) was part of a team which won the Sarcoma UK fund-raising award for 2024 at a glittering ceremony… More...
On Thursday 21st November we welcomed back to the College Paralympic Gold Medal holder Frankie Allen (OP 2015 - 20) for … More...
The annual showdown between the College’s current pupils and their more “experienced” predecessors took place at the spl… More...
On 6th June 1944 the largest amphibious invasion in the history of warfare took place. Many OPs played their part, here we commemorate them and highl… More...
Read the extraordinary story of actor Peter Butterworth's WWII exploits as uncovered by his son OP Tyler Butterworth (1972 - 1977) More...
Two OPs of widely differing vintage appeared prominently in a recent Channel 5 documentary "The Marvellous Maggie Smith: A Celebration." More...