Memorial to victims of Falklands War

FORMER COMMANDING OFFICER RETURNS TO ISLANDS

- ANDY PHILLIPS

A FALKLANDS War veteran who lives in Wembury has returned to the islands which he helped to liberate to dedicate a memorial to members of his regiment killed or wounded in the conflict.

Colonel Ivar Hellberg was part of a large contingent of former and current Royal Marines who made a return journey to the Falkland Islands to dedicate a memorial in Ajax Bay, where his regiment set up operations in 1982.

As commanding officer of Commando Logistic Regiment Royal Marines, Col Hellberg oversaw an increased regiment of almost 900 personnel, and played a crucial role in liberating the island after it was invaded by Argentina.

It was 42 years ago this week that his regiment suffered six deaths, with another 27 wounded, in heavy bombing of Ajax Bay and San Carlos water by Argentine forces.

Now 81, Col Hellberg has been working towards a memorial for 'decades' and finally completed the mission this month as part of a week-long visit.