08/02/13 Falklands feature - Newton Park Hotel, Newton Solney, DE15 0SS, BurtonNigel Fielding - Falklands veteran who served on Exocet-hit HMS GlamorganTHE unveiling of two memorials to British sailors who died during the Falklands War came as islanders voted in a referendum on whether to remain British territory.
The 1,672 eligible voters in the Falklands Islands were asked whether they want the islands to remain an internally self-governing British overseas territory.
Memorials to sailors who died on board the HMS Glamorgan and HMS Coventry were unveiled at the National Memorial Arboretum on Sunday.
Nigel Fielding, who served on board the HMS Glamorgan during the conflict and now works at the Mecure Hotel in Newton Solney, said he has no doubts over the result.
He said: “It is a historic moment but it will be a close run thing…between 99 per cent and 100 per cent to stay British.
“We mentioned the referendum at the service and we sent a message of good will and best wishes to the islanders.
“We have many friends out there now who we visit.
“It was good to see so many amazing pictures coming out from there on the news over the weekend.
“But as I always say it’s the Argentine politicians who will want to put a positive spin on things.”
Argentine forces invaded the Falklands Islands on April 2 1982, starting a 72-day conflict.
During the war, 255 British and 650 Argentine servicemen were killed before Argentine forces surrendered.
