‘We’re so proud’: Hull’s Falklands veterans given city’s highest honour
GOING INTO HARM’S WAY: Passenger ferry the MV Norland, which left Hull in 1982 to join the Falklands Taskforce
By Simon Bristow
Veterans of the 1982 Falklands War will receive the Honorary Freedom of the City of Kingston upon Hull this month.
The Freedom Scroll will be presented to holders of the South Atlantic Medal at an Extraordinary Meeting of Hull City Council.
The meeting, called specifically for the purpose, will take place on Thursday, July 20 at 4pm, in the Council Chamber at the Guildhall.
The South Atlantic Medal has been awarded around 30,000 times to service men and women – and civilians – who were involved in the Falklands conflict.
Around 75 medal holders will attend the ceremony.
Nine vessels – including three tugs and the passenger ferry MV Norland – travelled from Hull to aid the naval task force.
The leader of Hull City Council, Councillor Mike Ross, said: “Over 40 years on from the war, it is absolutely right that Hull veterans should be recognised in this official way.
“The Honorary Freedom of the City is the highest honour the council can bestow.
“We’re delighted to be able to commemorate those from the city who played such an important part.”
The Lord Mayor and Admiral of the Humber, Councillor Kalvin Neal, said: “I am looking forward to welcoming dozens of veterans from the city to receive this well-deserved honour.”
Keith Thompson, a South Atlantic Medal holder who worked aboard the Norland, said: “I’d like to thank Hull City Council for doing this for us.
“This honour is such an important thing for us and we’re so proud.
“We have a big affinity with the Falkland Islands, where there is quite a big community of people who have moved over there from Hull.”
As first reported by The Hull Story, the motion proposing the conferring of the Honorary Freedom of the City of Kingston upon Hull to South Atlantic Medal Holders of Hull was carried unanimously by councillors during a Full Council Meeting on May 18.