This June marks the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, a 74 day conflict between Argentine and British forces. Tam Noble, veteran and Foreign Forces Account Manager at Landmarc, served in the 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment as a Section Commander during the conflict. Tam tells us how he will be marking the occasion and how he spends his time outside of Landmarc giving help and support to veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
“This year the Falklands are marking the 40th anniversary of their liberation with a year-long programme of commemoration and celebration, reflecting on the brave sacrifices of those who restored freedom, as well as showcasing the modern Falkland Islands, their achievements since 1982, and their ambitions for the future. The strapline that sums up the spirit of the anniversary is ‘Looking forward at 40’, which sends out the clear message that they are a forward-looking nation, determined to take control of their own destiny and shape their own success.
The Falklands War
“The Falkland Islands have never had any native inhabitants and no indigenous people have ever been displaced, instead the Islands were entirely unoccupied until 1765, when they were first claimed by the British who established a garrison at Port Egmont. Over the years, the British, French and Spanish periodically had garrisons within the Islands until 1811 when all were withdrawn.
“On 6 October 1832, an Argentine military garrison arrived in an attempt to establish sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, disregarding the British claim of 67 years prior. Less than three months later, on 2 January 1833, the Royal Navy evicted the military base with no loss of life. The civilian population, who had sought permission from Britain to live there, were invited to stay. A year later, a small, permanent British administration was established and in 1845 Stanley become the capital.
“The Islands enjoyed a peaceful existence until 1 April 1982, when an Argentine military force invaded. For 74 days they lived under foreign occupation, until they were liberated by British forces on 14 June 1982. Nearly 1,000 Falkland Islands, British and Argentine lives were lost as a result of the war.
Awarded the Mention in Despatches
“During the conflict in 1982 I served with A Company 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment as a Section Commander at the age of 22, where I led eight soldiers into battle.
“We were heavily involved in the attack for Mount Longdon on the 11-12 June 1982, one of eight critical high defensive positions along the main axis into Port Stanley, where the close battle took place. It was for this that I was awarded the Mention in Despatches (MiD) for bravery and gallant service during the campaign by Her Majesty The Queen.
Life at Landmarc and beyond
“After transitioning from the Armed Forces, I joined Landmarc in September 2018 as Account Manager, to promote and manage the use of the Defence Training Estate by Foreign Forces from across the globe.
“Outside of Landmarc I am part of my Regimental Committee and help to take care of veterans in the Wiltshire area, who served with Airborne Forces. I am involved with the organisation of the Falklands 40th Anniversary Commemoration Parade which is to be held in Aldershot on the 18 June 2022, supported by Landmarc.
Supporting veterans with PTSD
“I am large supporter of Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health. For almost a century, they’ve helped former servicemen and women deal with issues like trauma, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Today, they provide support to veterans from every service and every conflict.
“Having suffered early symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) myself, I have now made it my mission to help out those veterans who suffer from the disorder, helping them to re-shape their lives, find housing and try and find stability in a new career. By supporting them to realise that they can transfer the management skills they gained in their military career into civvie street helps to remove the fear of those soldiers coming to the end of their military career and into civilian employment. Initiatives like the guaranteed interview scheme set up by Landmarc make that step much easier.”