Falklands War’s local victim remembered with new plaque
A PLAQUE was added to the War Memorial at the top of Smith Street yesterday, 40 years to the day of the death of the only Guernseyman to be killed in the Falklands War.
Petty Officer Peter Brouard was one of 22 who perished aboard HMS Ardent when the vessel was attacked by enemy aircraft on 21 May 1982. The Type 21 Frigate sank the following day.
Yesterday, the Lt-Governor, Lt-General Richard Cripwell, and the Bailiff, Richard McMahon, unveiled a plaque commemorating Petty Officer Brouard, who was a mechanical engineer with 815 Naval Air Squadron. He was 31 when he died. The Dean of Guernsey the Very Rev. Tim Barker blessed the plaque.
PO Brouard’s widow, Anne, who travelled to the island from Yeovil, and niece Claire Penney attended.
Speaking of the unveiling. Mrs Brouard said: ‘I think it was the right thing to do and we’re pleased that it’s been done after all these years. It means a lot to all of the family and we are exceptionally proud of him.’
Parade Commander, Lt-Commander Tim Slann, a Falklands War veteran who served on board HMS Intrepid, said he had first made enquiries in 2015 about how to go about having a plaque there.
‘This is a hugely important occasion to have PO Brouard remembered in the same way as other servicemen who served and lost their lives down south have been remembered around the UK,’ he said.
As chairman of the Channels Island branch of the South Atlantic Medal Association, he said the association was grateful for the help of head of Heritage Services Helen Glencross, who had helped to bring the project to fruition by facilitating the plaque’s installation.
‘It was an honour to work on this project and see PO Brouard added to the memorial, alongside so many other islanders who have given their lives for the freedom of others,’ said Mrs Glencross
Yesterday’s ceremony was also attended by representatives of the cadets and veterans and the standard bearers.
n On the 30th anniversary of the conflict, on a visit to the Falklands, then Bailiff Sir Richard Collas laid a wreath on behalf of PO Brouard on the water near where HMS Ardent sank.
