20th Anniversary of
Liberation

Issue Date: 14th June 2002







This issue commemorates the liberation of the Falkland Islands by British Forces on the 14th June 1982.

The historical events from the initial Argentine invasion on the morning of 2nd April 1982 up to the liberation on the 14th June 1982 have been well documented over the years.

The stamps in this issue link events from 1982 to activity in the Falkland Islands today and are available in sheetlets comprising 5 pairs of each value.



The 22p values se-tenant pair shows HMS Hermes in 1982 and the locally registered Fishery Patrol Vessel M V Dorada in 2002. Income from the sale of fishing licences is the Falkland Islands main revenue source.

The 40p values show British Troops landing in 1982 and Redfire mine clearance equipment in 2002. A poignant legacy of over 20,000 land mines in a 117 mine fields remain from the conflict. The need for Explosive Ordinance Disposal is therefore still essential.

The 45p values show a RAF Harrier onboard HMS Hermes in 1982 and a RAF Tristar aircraft over the Falklands in 2002.

The regular RAF air-bridge between the UK and the Falklands via Ascension Island is a vital communication and passenger link for the Islands today. Both Military and civilian passengers use the service and from a postal viewpoint it provides an essential priority airmail link.

Tourism has grown in the Islands with both land based and cruise ship visitors. A weekly scheduled air link with Chile operates and this provides another option for travel to tourists, residents and the Falklands business community.

The 20th Anniversary of Liberation is attracting a lot of media attention to the Islands during 2002. Most people visiting the Falklands find a thriving, vibrant forward-looking community with the bleak images of 1982 being a thing of the past.

The First Day Cover shows the Falkland Islands Defence Force at the Liberation Monument in Stanley with weapons at arms reversed. A church service followed by a parade along Ross Road to the Liberation Monument is held on the 14th June each year to remember those who died liberating the Falkland Islands.

Technical Details

Release Date: 14 June 2002
Designer: Andrew Robinson
Photographs:
HMS Hermes-
Fishery Patrol Vessel-
RAF Tristar-
Liberation Monument with FIDF-
All of the above reproduced by permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office.
RAF Harrier- The trustees of the Imperial war Museum, London
Troops Landing- HultonArchive/Getty Images
Redfire- Andrew Hamilton
Printer: The House of Questa
Stamp Size: 28.45 x 42.58mm
Perforation: 14 per 2cms
Sheet Format: 10 (5 se-tenant pairs)
Watermark: CA Spiral

Value & Designs

22p: HMS Hermes 1982.
Fishery Patrol Vessel 2002.
40p: Troops Landing 1982.
Redfire-Mine Clearance 2002.
45p: RAF Harrier aboard HMS Hermes 1982
RAF Tristar 2002.




Copyright: FI Philatelic Bureau Created and Maintained by: Cyberpoint Limited