The Captain’s Steward: Falklands, 1982

Authors	Barrie Fieldgate
Publisher	Melrose Books
ISBN  #	1-905226-46-2
On-line Merchant	Melrose Books

Cover Notes

Barrie Fieldgate was The Captain's Steward onboard the Royal Navy frigate HMS Broadsword, which operated in the South Atlantic during the Falklands War. As the title indicates, the core of this book comprises the observations of a Falklands War veteran during the period of that conflict.
Fieldgate's diary provides a detailed insight into the private thoughts, fears and views of a crew member whose main source of information was lower deck chat, supplemented by periodic situation reports from a senior officer. The end result, in the words of his commanding officer, is a book which "while obviously of greatest interest to Broadsword's ship's company during the period from April to July 1982, will also appeal to a wider readership". Specifically, it should make a good read for anyone who had an involvement with the Falklands War or wants to gain a greater understanding of what it was like for some of the ordinary service personnel who took part.
The diary begins on April 5, 1982, with the author outlining his general duties and daily life on board Broadsword. The author then describes routine naval life and many of the incidents that he and his colleagues have been involved in. He recalls that there is always excitement among the crew of a vessel when it arrives in a new port, particularly one overseas.
Reverting back to the specific period of time covered by the diary, the author recalls that after leaving Gibraltar and heading for Naples in Italy, concern among the crew began to increase as they hear that more naval ships are being ordered to take on stores in Gibraltar. They are of course already well aware that tension is building up between Britain and Argentina over the Falkland Islands. Even so, he remembers, at that stage most of the crew think a peaceful solution will be found. Later that evening, though, Broadsword receives "the one and only signal that the whole ship's company had hoped would never be received". Specifically, the ship is ordered to return to Gibraltar and prepare to sail to the South Atlantic - and war. "We all realise that this is for real," writes the author.
The rest of the diary charts the progress of the war, the mounting casualties as a number of British ships are hit by enemy fire and the thoughts of the author and his crewmates during that period. In the author's own concluding words, "from May 1 until May 24 our ships were under constant attack and this book reflects exactly what I saw of it". That last comment highlights the dominant feature of this diary - the fact that it is very much a personal account of the war and the author's thoughts as events unfold..

Reviews

Please note that your review will not show up on this page straight away.