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  • 1 year ago
Chatham Historic Dockyard has welcomed veterans of HMS Endurance along with journalists who saw its return 43 years ago.

Henry Luck reports
Transcript
00:00This painting recaptures the incredible moment 10,000 people welcomed the HMS Endurance at
00:14Medway. Created by Beerstead artist Catherine Oetham, this special artwork was revealed for
00:21the homecoming of the Vessels veterans and even some of the journalists who witnessed the ship's
00:28return after it was at sea for 11 months as part of the Falklands War. Endurance played a major role
00:36in that. It warned the British government that the Argentinians were going to invade the Falklands.
00:42It played a major part during the Falklands War and so returning home needs to be remembered. We
00:48need to know why it is important to remember our history. It might have been scrapped long ago
00:56but the HMS Endurance has come back to life thanks to this oil painting. The reveal was followed by a
01:03toast of rum to memories of the last remaining icebreaker in the conflict.
01:09HMS Endurance!
01:13It was unbelievable. School kids on the tugs all screaming and
01:19and just like going into everywhere else and I'd say you know 66 year old if it's not the greatest day
01:28of my life it is certainly one of the greatest days of my life. You know live with me till I dare die.
01:38I came to Chatham about five years ago and there was a big display about the endurance there then and
01:45that was quite emotional bringing tears to my eyes because it was a big part of my life being on
01:50board. Well I think it's because we've done so much before the war down the Antarctic and just to
01:57keep it Nick Barker, Captain Nick Barker, we'd like to keep his memory alive and he was HMS Endurance.
02:04He was a true gentleman and a true professional. A man that's shut from the hip and he was just
02:10very very professional man. So it looks like this legendary navy ship will live on in painting
02:18to inspire a new generation. Henry Luck for Kane TV in Chatham.
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