Baroness Thatcher opens exhibition to mark 25th anniversary of Falklands War
15th May 2007
Daily Mail
Baroness Thatcher has opened an exhibition to mark the 25 anniversary of the Falklands War.
The nine-month display at the Imperial War Museum was opened by the 81-year-old former Prime Minister who oversaw the conflict.
Today the 81-year-old looked well as she met General Sir Jeremy Moore, former commander of the British Land Forces Falkland Islands, who accepted surrender from the Argentinians.
Although Lady Thatcher was helped up the museum steps by one of her protection officers, she strode into the hallway alone clutching her signature black handbag.
Baroness Thatcher listens to chairman of the Imperial War Museum, Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire (right) after she opened the Museum's exhibition on the Falklands War. She became IMMENSELY popular with the British public after declaring war on Argentina in 1982 after the Argies invaded the Falklands. She won the 1983 General Election in an overwhelming landslide victory
She was dressed in a smart grey and blue check suit and her hair was immaculately coiffured.
She greeted the media warmly, but seemed a little bemused by the number of camera flashes she faced.
She told photographers: "I think you'll have to stop soon, you are making me blind."
Lady Thatcher met a number of people involved in the war before touring the exhibition.
The exhibition explores the remarkable stories of both British and Argentinian service personnel through personal items and memorabilia.
One item is the joystick of the Scout helicopter shot down on its way to pick up Lieutenant Colonel "H" Jones, the mortally wounded Paras' commanding officer who was later awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.
When the helicopter was shot down, one member of the crew, Sgt Bill Belcher, lost a leg. He will meet Lady Thatcher. His fellow crew member Lieutenant Richard Nunn was killed in the attack.
Baroness Thatcher shakes hands with former commander of the British Land Forces Falklands Islands, General Sir Jeremy Moore, flanked by chairman of the Imperial War Museum, Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire
The exhibition will also display the diary and medals of The Royal Navy Surgeon Commander Rick Jolly, who established and ran the British field hospital at Ajax Bay which became known as the "Red and Green Life Machine" and which treated the wounded from both sides.
Jolly was honoured by both Britain and Argentina for his humanitarian work - a unique distinction in modern conflict.
Visitors will also see a letter written by Lt Col "H" Jones to his wife Sara, who will be present at today's event.
Baroness Thatcher (right) shakes hands with Sarah Jones, widow of Lieutenant Colonel
A hand-written news despatch from Goose Green belonging to BBC correspondent Robert Fox will demonstrate how news of the war reached those at home.
Sir Rex Hunt, who was governor of the Falklands at the time of the invasion, will also be there.
READERS' COMMENTS
Any chance she can open the door of 10 Downing St again?
- Lickyalips, Richmond Surrey
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I wish Baroness Thatcher was still in power. Take a look at the wimpish men and women who are attempting to take control from all the Parties. Not one of them appears to have the true strength of a leader.
- Karen, ex pat (USA)
--------------------
I wish we still had you Maggie, you were great.
- Roger Kingston, York
dailymail.co.uk
15th May 2007
Daily Mail
Baroness Thatcher has opened an exhibition to mark the 25 anniversary of the Falklands War.
The nine-month display at the Imperial War Museum was opened by the 81-year-old former Prime Minister who oversaw the conflict.
Today the 81-year-old looked well as she met General Sir Jeremy Moore, former commander of the British Land Forces Falkland Islands, who accepted surrender from the Argentinians.
Although Lady Thatcher was helped up the museum steps by one of her protection officers, she strode into the hallway alone clutching her signature black handbag.
Baroness Thatcher listens to chairman of the Imperial War Museum, Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire (right) after she opened the Museum's exhibition on the Falklands War. She became IMMENSELY popular with the British public after declaring war on Argentina in 1982 after the Argies invaded the Falklands. She won the 1983 General Election in an overwhelming landslide victory
She was dressed in a smart grey and blue check suit and her hair was immaculately coiffured.
She greeted the media warmly, but seemed a little bemused by the number of camera flashes she faced.
She told photographers: "I think you'll have to stop soon, you are making me blind."
Lady Thatcher met a number of people involved in the war before touring the exhibition.
The exhibition explores the remarkable stories of both British and Argentinian service personnel through personal items and memorabilia.
One item is the joystick of the Scout helicopter shot down on its way to pick up Lieutenant Colonel "H" Jones, the mortally wounded Paras' commanding officer who was later awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.
When the helicopter was shot down, one member of the crew, Sgt Bill Belcher, lost a leg. He will meet Lady Thatcher. His fellow crew member Lieutenant Richard Nunn was killed in the attack.
Baroness Thatcher shakes hands with former commander of the British Land Forces Falklands Islands, General Sir Jeremy Moore, flanked by chairman of the Imperial War Museum, Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire
The exhibition will also display the diary and medals of The Royal Navy Surgeon Commander Rick Jolly, who established and ran the British field hospital at Ajax Bay which became known as the "Red and Green Life Machine" and which treated the wounded from both sides.
Jolly was honoured by both Britain and Argentina for his humanitarian work - a unique distinction in modern conflict.
Visitors will also see a letter written by Lt Col "H" Jones to his wife Sara, who will be present at today's event.
Baroness Thatcher (right) shakes hands with Sarah Jones, widow of Lieutenant Colonel
A hand-written news despatch from Goose Green belonging to BBC correspondent Robert Fox will demonstrate how news of the war reached those at home.
Sir Rex Hunt, who was governor of the Falklands at the time of the invasion, will also be there.
READERS' COMMENTS
Any chance she can open the door of 10 Downing St again?
- Lickyalips, Richmond Surrey
---------------------
I wish Baroness Thatcher was still in power. Take a look at the wimpish men and women who are attempting to take control from all the Parties. Not one of them appears to have the true strength of a leader.
- Karen, ex pat (USA)
--------------------
I wish we still had you Maggie, you were great.
- Roger Kingston, York
dailymail.co.uk
