Listen to Baroness Thatcher's address to the Falkland Islanders

The Queen and Baroness Thatcher joined veterans today for a church service in Berkshire to mark the 25th anniversary of the liberation of the Falkland Islands.

On June 14 1982 the Argentineans surrendered in the Falklands capital, Port Stanley, giving victory to UK forces sent to recapture the overseas British territory, following the invasion by Argentina in April of that year.

British soldiers entered the Falklands’ capital, Port Stanley, on June 14, 1982. The retaking of the town ended the 74-day occupation of the islands by Argentine forces, and a conflict which killed 649 Argentine and 255 British service personnel, as well as three islanders.

About 600 people joined today's gathering, at the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel in the grounds of Pangbourne College near Reading, west of London, including veterans and relatives of those killed in the conflict. Among them were the Queen, Tony Blair, and Baroness Thatcher, who as Prime Minister sent off the Falklands task force.

Mark Coreth, 48, a troop leader with 4 Troop, B Squadron, Blues and Royals, said: “There is sadness but huge feelings of pride. It was a campaign we all were prepared to give our lives for.”

Mr Coreth, a sculptor, has recently crafted a memorial work featuring three flying black brow albatross birds outside the chapel. He said he chose the albatross while in the Falklands last year as he believes it “depicts the courage, endurance and fragility of the campaign but also the islands’ past, present and future”.

James Hailwood, 25, from Chepstow, attending today’s service, lost his father Christopher on RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) Sir Galahad during the conflict. Mr Hailwood, who was six months old when his father was killed, said: “We must remember those who knew them - I never knew my dad - because it’s more difficult for them."

Mark Jones, 46, of Fleet in Hampshire, a Royal Engineers Lance Corporal who served with 3 Parachute Regiment at Mount Longdon, said: “I feel quite emotional to be honest, anxious, but proud as well. I feel proud that we were able to do something for Britain.

He added: "I’m here in respect of the boys who did not come home and their families - they paid the ultimate sacrifice and it’s important they are never forgotten.”

As the Queen arrived for the service Steve Kettless, 50, of Aldershot, Hampshire, who fought as a private with 2 Parachute Regiment at Goose Green, said: “I’m filled with sadness for the boys who never came home. That’s the main emotion in remembering what happened 25 years ago for me - 25 years have gone so quickly.”

Moments before the Service of Thanksgiving began, four Joint Forces Harrier jets performed a flypast above the chapel.

Des Browne, Secretary of State for Defence, said before the service: “The liberation of the Falkland Islands was a huge achievement for our forces, operating in harsh conditions

more than 8,000 miles away, As we remember the service and sacrifice our Armed Forces gave 25 years ago, we remember too those who continue this proud tradition on operations around the world today.”

One of the readings at the service was by Sara Jones, widow of Falklands hero Lieutenant Colonel “H” Jones, who was killed in the battle for Goose Green. In the first major land battle of the war the 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, captured the settlement - a key Argentinian stronghold - but lost their commander.

Lieutenant-Colonel Jones was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for his leadership and bravery during the battle.

After the service, the Queen was to add a final stone to a cairn made up of stones from key Falkland Islands battlefield sites, representing the soldiers who were killed. The memorial cairn follows a Scottish tradition commemorating those who failed to return from battle.

On the islands themselves, a special radio message from the Queen will be broadcast to the 3,000-odd inhabitants.

Prince Edward, the queen’s youngest son, will join Adam Ingram, the Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram, and Lord Parkinson, representing Lady Thatcher’s war cabinet, Sir Rex Hunt, the Falklands governor at the time, for a thanksgiving service in Stanley and a parade to the Liberation Monument.

In Greenwich, southeast London, the Princess Royal is to attend a service of remembrance and commemoration followed by a“heroes' dinner” for those decorated for their part in the conflict.

The Royal Navy’s flagship, the aircraft carrier Ark Royal, is moored in the River Thames off Greenwich as part of the Falklands events.

On Sunday, there will be a march of veterans and their modern-day service counterparts along The Mall, the processional route that leads to Buckingham Palace. There will also be a fly-past of Falklands-era aircraft as well as a live link-up with the Falklands, enabling islanders and veterans to recount the events in their own words.

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