Parents of Craig Jones from Tenbury who died during Falklands conflict welcome vote (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Parents of Craig Jones from Tenbury who died during Falklands conflict welcome vote

8:47am Friday 15th March 2013 in News By Adrian Kibbler

RICHARD and Pam Jones from Tenbury who lost a son in the Falklands war more than 30 years ago have welcomed this week's decision by the islanders to retain their links with Britain.

The couple lost a son Craig who died as British forces closed in on the island’s capital Port Stanley in the final hours of the conflict in the spring of 1982.

“With the administration in Argentine again pressing its claims for the islands in the South Atlantic a referendum has been help to determine the wishes of the people which resulted in a huge majority in favour of retaining links with the British.

“The result was a foregone conclusion but we are glad that there has been a vote and the people have made their position clear,” said Pam Jones.

“Our hope is that Argentina will respect the decision and not attempt to use the islands as a diversion from internal problems as happened all those years ago.

“I think attitudes are different now and I don’t think they will but you never know.”

Since the war Richard, a former Mayor of Tenbury and Pam has made a number of visits to the Falklands.

They were last there at Christmas when they visited Craig Island – a small island they purchased in the memory of their son.

“We were on Craig Island in Christmas day and that was very special,” added Pam.

Richard Jones is from a military family and during his two years as Mayor of Tenbury he chose to support the forces charity Combat Stress that supports servicemen and women with mental health problems.

During the 30 years since the Falklands War more servicemen involved in that conflict have died by their own hand than were killed in the fighting.