Falklands' veteran opens San Carlos bar in HMS Drake
A VETERAN commander from the Falklands Conflict has ceremonially opened a new-look bar at Devonport Naval Base.Retired Royal Marine Lieutenant Colonel Ewen Southby-Tailyour OBE unveiled the plaque at the bar in the senior rates and warrant officers' mess at HMS Drake.
The bar has been named San Carlos, because San Carlos Bay was the scene of military operations in the Falklands.It was also thought the name would represent the tri-service work during the conflict as the success was dependant on close working between the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, RAF and Army.The opening was followed by a full ceremonial regimental dinner.Colonel Garth Manger, commanding officer of city-based 1 Assault group Royal Marines, said: "This highly successful opening and Regimental Dinner in the San Carlos Bar has helped to keep alight the memory and links the Royal Marines and Royal Navy have with the Falklands Campaign, while also serving to highlight the combined nature of warfare both in '82' and today."The bar is in a first-class location within the heart of HMS Drake, adjacent to RM Tamar, and will be an integral part of 1 Assault Group Royal Marines."Lt Col Southby-Tailyour served for 32 years in the Royal Marines and in 1978 he was the officer commanding a small Royal Marines detachment that was posted to the Falkland Islands.On his own initiative he sailed around the islands and extensively charted the waters, filling more than 100 pages in his notebook with data on harbours, inlets and landing spots.His personal knowledge of the area would later prove highly valuable in the Falklands War.