FALKLANDS REMEMBERED: Veteran Signing Event | Steventon Gallery: 27th April
Join us inside the Aces High Gallery, in Steventon, for the unique opportunity to meet an array of British Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy veterans who served during the Falklands conflict, and to hear their accounts first-hand!
Our special guests are looking forward to meeting enthusiasts and signing items for collectors – they include:
Flight Lieutenant BILL PERRINS - flew Vulcans based at Ascension Island during the Falklands Campaign of 1982. He took part in four of the seven planned ‘Operation Black Buck’ missions, with the objective to attack Port Stanley Airport and its associated defences - which were the longest-ranged bombing raids in history at that time. Bill then became an RAF Qualified Flying Instructor and went on to fly Tornado F3s in the Air Defence role. In the world of civil aviation he flew Boeing 747s, 757s, 767s, 787s. Flew as a Training Captain with Virgin Atlantic Airways. Displayed various aircraft including Spitfires, P51 Mustangs and Vulcan XH558. Having flown over 50 types, Bill is now gracefully retired and enjoying pottering about in a de Havilland Chipmunk aircraft - Watch out for his forthcoming book: "From Vulcan to Spitfire and back".
Squadron Leader DAVE FRY – first learned to fly Chipmunks as an air cadet before working in the intelligence flight at Lyneham during the Falklands War. After which he became a qualified Hercules pilot and was posted for 4-months during ’84 flying Herc tankers. He flew on 5 tours with 3 squadrons, including one with the special forces flight of 47 Squadron during the first gulf war. He then flew a stint with the USAF flying mainly the C141 Starlifter as an instructor and flight examiner, later becoming the first foreign pilot to fly the C17 Globemaster. After a final tour as acting Wing Commander OC 70 Squadron at Lyneham, where he was awarded the prestigious Master Air Pilot Certificate from the Guild of Air Pilots and Navs, he started his second career in commercial flying at Virgin Atlantic. 20,000 plus hours later on 6 different 4-engined aircraft, including the iconic Boeing 747, he retired and returned to his first love, the venerable Chipmunk here at Oaksey park.
Sergeant DAVID HORSFIELD – a career spanning 22 years saw David join the RAF in 1971 as an engineer, (airframe mechanic/technician). His first posting was to No.228 Operational Conversion Unit, RAF Coningsby working on the McDonell Douglas F-4 Phantom. David was then posted to RAF Wattisham with No.23 squadron before taking up a Technical Instructor position at RAF Halton. Moving to RAF Wildenrath in Germany, he worked in the Phantom support bays, before completing a tour of the Falklands again with No.23 Squadron in 1985. David’s final posting was to RAF Abingdon Field Repair Squadron, (later Repair and Salvage Squadron), working with the Major Repair Flight.
Leading Seaman LEIGH QURREY – had a distinguished career in the Royal Navy, joining in 1980 and serving in various critical roles during his tenure. His service history reflects his dedication and contributions to both operational and ceremonial duties. Leigh began his service on the historic HMS Victory in 1981, where he served as a tour guide, showcasing the Royal Navy's rich heritage to visitors and ensuring the legacy of Admiral Nelson's flagship was preserved. As an Able Seaman Radar, Leigh was stationed aboard HMS Antrim in 1982 during one of the ship's most significant operations – playing a pivotal role in the retaking of South Georgia during the Falklands War, which contributed to the liberation of the Falkland Islands, cementing its place in naval history. In 1983, on Antrim again, Leigh took part in Operation Urgent Fury, the United States-led invasion of Grenada. Antrim provided essential support to the operation, particularly in a humanitarian and logistical capacity, as part of Britain's contribution. From 1984 to 1987, Leigh's expertise saw him advance to Leading Seaman Radar, serving aboard HMS Cardiff. During this time, he was involved in Armilla Patrol duties in the Gulf, a crucial deployment to maintain the security of maritime routes and ensure the stability of the region.
Able Seaman (Radar) LAURIE ‘RIN TIN’ TINSON – had a short but action packed and exemplary career in the Royal Navy. Laurie joined up on 2 June 1980 at just age 16, undertaking his basic naval training at HMS Raleigh and radar training at HMS Dryad. On completion in 1981, Laurie was drafted to HMS Antrim - and in early 1982, whilst the ship was involved in exercise ‘Springtrain’ near Gibraltar, orders were given to sail south to the Ascension Islands to take part in ‘Operation Paraquet’. They were tasked with leading a small group of ships to retake South Georgia from the Argentine Forces after they invaded the Falkland Islands. On 21 May 1982, whilst in the notorious ‘bomb alley’, HMS Antrim was hit with 30mm cannon fire from Argentinian air attacks and took a direct hit with a 1000lb bomb which fortunately failed to explode. The bomb could not be diffused so was carefully extracted from the ‘heads’ at the back of the ship and lowered into the sea. In 1983, whilst HMS Antrim was deployed to the Caribbean for hurricane patrol, Grenada was invaded. The ship was then put on standby to help evacuate British citizens from the island if required.
Laurie left HMS Antrim mid-1984 and was drafted to HMS Dryad as part of the firefighting team, and then in November, he transferred to HMS Nelson to be demobbed. HMS Antrim was his first and only ship-based draft. Laurie was on board until the ship was decommissioned in 1984 and sold to the Chilean navy.
KIM CASEY – A well-known Falklands ambassador who has attended many events over the years, alongside the Royal Family, and is the sister of the first British casualty during the Falklands conflict, Petty Officer Aircrewman BEN CASEY, 846 Squadron Fleet Air Arm, HMS Hermes, 23rd January 1956 – 23 April 1982, Aged 26.
Someone always has to be the first, whether it’s winning a race or dying in a war. Ben was the FIRST British casualty of the ‘Class of 82’. Born in Rugby, Warwickshire, Ben had one younger Sister, Kim. Ben followed his Father Dennis in to the Royal Navy in October 1972 as an Aircraft Mechanic and posted to RNAS Culdrose. In 1975, Ben joined 820 squadron on HMS Ark Royal. In February 1976, he joined HMS Daedalus where he started training to become a Helicopter Crewman.
Ben was presented with his wings in September 1977. In March 1980, he completed his Petty Officer Aircrewman course and after serving time with 772 and 707 squadrons, Ben joined 846 squadron flying Sea King MK4’s from HMS Hermes.
On the night of 23rd April 1982, POACMN Kevin Stuart Casey became the first casualty of the Falklands War when his Sea King crashed into the South Atlantic, in the dark, in bad weather. The Pilot survived, being picked up by another helicopter from HMS Hermes. Ben was pronounced ‘missing presumed drowned’ after an extensive search.
In 2022, Kim and Partner Steve went to the Falkland Islands where they were treated magnificently by the grateful Islanders. As part of the 40th Anniversary Place Names Project where the 255 members of the Task Force, plus 3 Islanders, who sadly lost their lives, Ben was honoured with a beautiful cove on Pebble Island which is now officially called ‘Casey Cove’. He is sadly missed by his family, friends and former colleagues. He will never be forgotten.
Come and support YOUR military veterans! 🙌
Items purchased at the event over £60 can be signed free of charge - otherwise the signing fee will be £20 per collector with a limit of three items at a time. All of our guests will be delighted to sign autographs and chat about their experiences...
Open from 10am
Signing starts 11am
Healing Military Minds:
HMM is a fundraiser for the charity Combat Stress and provides vital support for former Service members to deal with issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. Their aim is to continue to drive the education and publicity of mental health amongst the military community. Come and say hi and find out about the important work they're doing!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/healingmilitaryminds
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📍Skyfall, Church Lane, Steventon, Oxfordshire, OX13 6SN
Aces High is proud to remember and commemorate!
At Aces High we are in the unique position to remember, reflect and commemorate, through our artwork and events, all those who have served, and do serve, to defend our democratic freedoms and way of life. We feel incredibly fortunate to have the space we do, to welcome our extended family, and to create the opportunity for us all to engage with veterans of conflicts past and present, hearing their accounts first-hand.
But why is remembrance so important to us?
Remembrance of our veterans means recognising the ultimate sacrifice they pay with their lives, and their physical and mental wellbeing. Joining us at our events, and your continued support, allows us to keep the fire burning, raising awareness and helping support anyone who needs it within the Armed Forces community. Thank you for being part of the Aces family and we look forward to welcoming you to the gallery soon!
