Ardents: The remarkable men of F184
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- Опубликовано: 25 июн 2022
- At 2300Z on Thursday, May 20, 1982, the 200 men of HMS Ardent were called to Actions Stations as the Type 21 Royal Navy frigate closed on the Falkland Islands.
Within 20 hours, 22 of them would be dead, another 30 wounded.
For every one of them, there’s a story. For each of their loved ones, there’s another. This is just one more, a Falklands War 40th anniversary commemoration of the spirit of Ardent, and the shipmates still on patrol, told by some of those who were there or waited at home for news.
By association, it’s also a tribute to all others who experienced life and death in a warship heading for battle, and the other members of the UK Task Force whose sacrifices ensured the freedom of the islanders.
A film by Mark Higgitt, author of Through Fire and Water: HMS Ardent, the Forgotten Frigate of the Falklands War (Lume Books)
A very touching production, which will keep the memory of the Ardents fresh. I left the Coventry some months before the War.
Thanks for taking the time to watch. I hope the story of the Ardents also represents those of the other gallant ships of the Thin Grey Line, like the Coventry, Sheffield, Glamorgan, Argonaut, and Antelope.
Knocker was my class leader in Part 2 at Sultan. He was known as 'Snowy' then. Superb bloke, great fun and brilliant to be in the presence of. I was shocked and gutted when I learned he had fallen.
I never knew Knocker, but you've summed him up in pretty much the same way as all his Ardent shipmates remember him.
RIP Lads
Thank you all for putting this together. Still amazed all 4 of us made it off the Seacat Deck. A mix of emotions. Always remembered, never forgotten. The White Ensign flies proudly in Florida.
Thanks, Kevin. Your response explains why it was important not to let the 40th anniversary pass without marking your remarkable achievement and sacrifice.
@@MarkHiggitt Mark, I cant speak for others, but to me you will always be thought of as an "Ardent", one of the crew.
@@kevinmacdonald9827 Thanks, that means a lot. I'd regard that as an honour. Mind you, based on my dismal day in the DRIU during research, I don't think I would have cut the mustard, somehow.
Thank you so much for making this film happen. Such a terrific tribute to so many brave and gallant men - God Bless you all - Heroes every one of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Veteran Warrant Officer - 32 years service
What a brilliant film and also an excellent book. My dad served on the Antrim during the Falklands Conflict and I served in the navy for 12 years. I've always had an interest in the Falklands and this helped bring it to life.
Thanks for those kind comments. I'm not sure either the film or the book could ever adequately do justice to the courage and professionalism of the Ardents.
This a lovely tribute. What a lad he must have been.
Thanks, Stewart. That's much appreciated.
After reading the book HMS Ardent ‘Through Fire & Water’ found this moving tribute. Adds faces and voices to some of the crew members I have read about. Brings the book to life and strengthens its feeling of courage,pride and loss as your ship took a right hammering sacrificing itself to save others . Also listening to the interviews it reminded me of my Dad who was Royal Navy but has ‘crossed the bar’ as the matelots say. Thanks.
Thanks, Mike. They are remarkable men and remarkable families, and so typical of the other men I'm honoured to know who served in the Falklands War.
@@MarkHiggitt I was 12 at the time of the Falklands and my fascination with that conflict continues to this day. I like that you also tell the stories of the familes at home. My Dad arrived in the TEZ around the same time as the Coventry was sunk and remember hearing the news before the ship had been named and the feeling of not knowing.
Next read ‘17, The death and life of private Jason Burt’. (The same age as my youngest son now).
@user-vk2zd6zp9u Mike, I stumbled on Jason's story while chatting to a member of the ship's company at an Ardent Remembrance Service, one May.
He'd recently on a Falklands pilgrimmage and met a 3 Para veteran in Stanley, doing the same thing, and about to head off to Mount Longdon to pay his respects.
Once you hear those kind of stories, they're impossible to forget.
I hope you take as much from '17' as you have from TFAW.
Your all very Brave .
Duty done .... This has been a real testament to what happened down South .. My Dad Served on Arrow , and previously in 1981 HMS Sheffield. Thanks for Sharing this video.
You're very welcome, Simon. The entire Thin Grey Line did its duty down South. If circumstances had been different, it might have been Arrow on the gunline that day. Instead, her history's forever connected with the Sheffield.
Thank you, John. A response like that from someone with your background and experience means a great deal.
Thanks for those very kind comments, Jennifer. They're much appreciated.
A very poignant film ...i was a baby medic aboard Canberra that day ....and held Ken's arm in position when the surgery was performed on his hand ....never forgotten. Bumped into Steve Alves who was a junior seaman in my class at Raleigh a couple of years earlier...what a place to have a reunion ....well done Ardents ...ordinary sailors ordinary heroes
Thanks for taking the time to watch the doc, and for adding your memories, Kieran. You're among the heroes, in my eyes.
Wow! What a fine tribute to the Ardent and those who were lost. They certainly weren’t forgotten. I had never heard of this ship or about this day in the history. I found it very sad to watch at times but also fully gleaned the amazing camaraderie you guys had formed while on this ship and afterwards. This was also just after watching another documentary about a ship who was in every way had quite the opposite atmosphere than you. And with this, nearly as many men that y’all lost during your battle was about how many of their men survived (around 900 were lost). Every one of you are hero’s and certainly helped change the course of history. I’m really sorry that y’all had to experience people looking down on you afterwards simply because the Ardent sank. Hopefully that mentality has changed now in your area, or at least after watching this it will. God bless you all. Love from the USA 🇺🇸❤🫡
Nicely done Mark and Richie. Just been able to watch this. Happy/sad memories from a long time ago and far away.
Thanks, Rob. That means a lot.
Well done guys a brilliant memory ,play hard ,drink hard, fight hard, proud of you guys. Cheers Bill Stacey ex TAs ape .Ps “always look on the bright side of life”
Thanks, Bill. The Thin Grey Line was full of guys like the Ardents.
My mate was the LMA on the Ardent that day, he and his Dr survived, last saw him last year when I was across from Australia 🇦🇺,
Rob's a top bloke, David. Thanks for taking the time to respond.
@@MarkHiggitt spoke to him on the 21st, do every year, he's fine was off to a service at 1830. Yes, top bloke shared many a beer with him being LMA's, he was the class in front of me at Ganges and Haslar, both did our 22 year., The Dr was the PMO on the Fearless when I was the Chief MA, 92 - 94.. small world even smaller branch
my friend, i'm in 😢tears, joined up in early '90.....many friends were there😔we'll be good in tough moments, gott talk🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
I served on HMS Glamorgan during The Falklands. I remember the day Ardent was hit. Little did I realise that we too would be hit a couple of weeks later. I have read the book. Excellent read.
Thanks for the kind comments, buddy. Glamorgan played a key part in bringing the war to its close, so you're up there with the Ardents... and, of course, know what it is to lose so many of your shipmates. Huge respect to you all.
@@MarkHiggitt Thanks. Normally when I comment on Falklands related videos, I get trolls and keyboard warriors commenting on a subject they know F all about. I invited one Scouse git , to come to our reunion, and voice his opinion. Needless to say, he never replied. No offence to Scousers , just this one.
brave brave men. everyone a hero
hi on 1hr 26 mins is the Mt Campito memorial.In 1985 whilst on Diligence I went ashore to get a suitable rock and mounted on it the ships plaques of Ardent and Antelope then assisted on getting the memorial constructed RIP those lost and departed since.
From all I've learned, over the years, it's clear that the Type 21 memorial at Campito is such an important place for Ardents to pause and reflect on their pilgrimages. Many have felt the weight of the events of May 21, 1982, and the years since, lifted in that special spot. Thanks for taking the time to add your personal connection.
Stephen White was from Stanhope Co. Durham, 6 miles from me.
Well done you old salts.
The land battles could not have succeeded - without your dedication offshore.
You have more than done ' your bit '
Stand down - ffs