The Falkland Islands Defence Force celebrated 100 years of its formation in December 2020.

The organisation changed from the Falkland Islands Volunteers on December 13, 1920. The 100th anniversary of this was marked with an open day and reception on December 12, 2020. The day included displays of motor vehicles, weapons and equipment as well as historical displays and family activities. Listen to News Editor, Gavin Short's coverage of the formal part of the event.

The Falkland Islands Defence Force celebrated 100 years of its formation in December 2020.

The organisation changed from the Falkland Islands Volunteers on December 13, 1920. The 100th anniversary of this was marked with an open day and reception on December 12, 2020. The day included displays of motor vehicles, weapons and equipment as well as historical displays and family activities.

Listen as News Editor Gavin Short speaks to former members of the Force about their memories.

Have you ever wanted to know more about the history of land mines in the Falkland Islands?

We all know they were laid in 1982, but how many and what attempts were made to clear them after the conflict?  Patrick Watts, who was in charge of Falklands Islands Broadcasting Station in 1982, explains.

This interview was recorded in November 2020.

On a remote farm on East Falkland a family was woken up early by Argentine forces.

Forced out of the house they were then locked up in a hall at Douglas Station for four days.

Clara McKay was incarcerated in the hall and she spoke with News Editor, Gavin Short, about her side of the 1982 conflict.

Will the Cape Pembroke Lighthouse ever work again?

Years of neglect have left the lighthouse on East Falkland in disrepair, is hope lost for the historic structure? We speak with the National Trust and a lighthouse technician from Trinity House about the fate of this national monument.

This programme was broadcast on Falklands Radio on July 6, 2020

In this second interview with archaeologists Tim and Mark, they talk about their finds which include live munitions. 

From their base at the museum in Stanley, the two archaeologists spoke of the excavation of a WW11 military camp. They found many items from the 1940s garrison that was stationed there including bottles and personal effects. They also found a large number of items left by Argentine forces from the 1982 conflict including unexploded ordinance. 

This programme was broadcast on Falklands Radio on March 27, 2020

Listen to the history of a WWII site in the Falkland Islands.

The 11th Battalion of the West Yorks was posted in 1942 to protect the Islands from attack by the Japanese. In 1944 the garrison was replaced by the Royal Scots. The men were housed in Nissen huts that were built on almost every available open space in Stanley.

One of these former sites, Bennett's Paddock, was given planning permission to turn into a residential area. The Museum and National Trust took the opportunity to arrange archaeological examinations before construction work began. Working with two archaeologists from Cambridge University, areas of Bennett's Paddock to the west of Stanley were excavated. This site was also used by the Argentine military in the 1982 conflict. During the excavation, Tim and Mark found items used by the military from both time periods.  

This programme was broadcast on Falklands Radio on March 20, 2020