When planning to install a memorial for the Falklands Conflict we were not happy to have just a single bench. We wanted something that meant something more to people.

The idea that we had was to create two memorial benches that were joined together from the beginning with a chain. The design on each bench was reflected in the other, with the one having a silhouette of the UK and the other having one of the Falklands.

At the time it was ready to install these benches, the first was shipped to the Falkland Islands 8,000 miles away, whilst the other was installed at the Short Heath cenotaph. The idea was that the chain was split at the time of installation so that each bench had a link with the other despite being over 8,000 miles apart.

These benches are there for everyone who has a connection to the conflict. It is there for the veterans of the conflict, it is there for those who fell, and it is also there for those who lost their loved ones.

When the chains holding the two benches were split, three links were retained. The first link was given to Mr and Mrs Anslow, the parents of Adrian Anslow. The second link was given to Julie Dodsworth, sister of Mark Dodsworth. Both of these men lost their lives in the Falkland War.

The third link was retained by Short Heath Lest We Forget.

The unveiling of the bench at the Short Heath Cenotaph was conducted by Lord Lieutenant Sir John Crabtree. Also in attendance were Falklands veterans Neil Binder (HMS Antrim), Dave Cooper (HMS Endurance), Dave Coomer (HMS Intrepid), Guy “Tug” Wilson (HMS Sheffield) and Valerie Pollard who cared for the wounded.