Royal Fleet Auxiliary Vessels

Issue Date: 28 May 2001









In 1982 the Royal Navy played a leading role during the Falklands War in which a carrier and amphibious task force, supported by nuclear submarines, recaptured the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, which had been invaded by Argentina.

On 22 March 2001, a new £5.3 million science research centre was formally opened at King Edward Point, South Georgia, the only inhabited part of this remote British overseas territory. It is situated close to the abandoned whaling station of Grytviken and just across the bay from the grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton, the great Antarctic explorer.

The new centre, largely paid for by the Ministry of Defence, will house eight scientists and support staff from the British Antarctic Survey. In 1775 Captain James Cook named South Georgia after King George III and claimed the island for the crown.

The Times published a leader (23 March 2001) 'South Georgia becomes a new environmental centre'. It said: 'It is intended to make South Georgia, one of the most spectacularly beautiful islands in the Antarctic region and home to millions of breeding albatross, petrels, king penguins, fur seals and elephant seals, a global model for conservation.'

Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service

The research centre will undoubtedly be featured on future South Georgia stamps. Meanwhile, South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands is highlighting the work of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service on a set of four stamps to be issued on 28 May 2001.

The Crown Agents Stamp Bureau has commissioned artist, Tony Theobald, to design the issue that depicts Royal Fleet Auxiliary Vessels: 37p RFA Sir Percivale. 37p RFA Tidespring. 43p RFA Gold Rover. 43p RFA Diligence.

The Times leader ended: 'South Georgia now has the chance to escape it's past and become an oasis of Antarctic conservation.'







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