My Falklands experience will stay with me forever

Former Royal Navy Rear Admiral who will lead Remembrance commemorations in Edinburgh recalls conflict on the high seas 40 years ago

- HEATHER GREENAWAY

TODAY, as we fall silent to remember the sacrifice of those who have served our country, Mark Beverstock will spare a special thought for comrades who fell in the Falklands War.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the 74-day conflict, which saw 255 British personnel give their lives in the battle to liberate the islands in the South Atlantic from Argentinian invaders.

The retired Rear Admiral, who grew up in Elderslie, Renfrewshire, was just 18 when he was sent more than 8000 miles to fight in the first major conflict since World War II. His Royal Navy ship returned without any deaths, but Mark, 58, admits some ofthe horrors he saw are forever etched in his memory.

As he leads Remembrance commemorations at the Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, he will think back to those 10 weeks in 1982.