An Argentine war veteran is visiting the Wirral seaside town of New Brighton in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Falklands (Malvinas) War between the UK and Argentina. The two week visit on 3rd May 2022 will also include a trip to London to request justice for Argentine war veterans who have still yet to be recognised by their government.
Julio Herrera Vidal VGM has been invited to the area by local veteran, Edward Denmark, who is keen to build bridges after the short yet bloody combat of 1982. Edward suffers from terminal blood cancer but is united with his former enemy to help them gain recognition for their part in their country’s war.
For more information visit the Forgotten Men Of The Falklands / Malvinas War FACEBOOK PAGE!
The unlikely allegiance came about in 2019 when Edward came into contact with his former enemy on social media after releasing his book, Not For Queen & Country. Edward discovered that all the Argentine men guarding mainland Patagonia and servicing the planes that caused the British the most problems had not been granted veteran status or given healthcare or pensions.
Edward, a rapier gunner in the conflict, said: “I became friends with my former enemy and realised they are just men like us. When I learnt that over 10,000 of them hadn’t been recognised for their important part in the war, I felt compelled to help their cause and I am determined for them to be recognised before I die.”
For more information visit the Forgotten Men Of The Falklands / Malvinas War FACEBOOK PAGE!
Despite having terminal cancer, Edward made the trip to Argentina in January 2020 — accompanied by journalist Justin Hopper from La Vida Liverpool. He met his former enemy, including pilots he once shot at, and appeared on some of the biggest news channels in Argentina including TN News and A24 News.
Ignoring ongoing efforts and Edward’s official visit to the Argentine Embassy in London in 2021, the Argentine government still refuse to address the injustice — with some of their veterans living in abject poverty. Edward and his former combatants are aiming to change this with Julio Herrera Vidal’s visit to the UK in May 2022 — serving an affidavit to the Argentine Embassy and staging a protest outside it.
For more information visit the Forgotten Men Of The Falklands / Malvinas War FACEBOOK PAGE!
Edward said: “There are two reasons for the visit. Firstly, it will be great to see my good friend Julio again and show him the UK — he’s been desperate to visit for a long time now but it hasn’t been possible due to the pandemic. It will be a great act of solidarity to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the regretful war.”
He continued: “The second reason for the visit is to visit the Argentine embassy again in London and hand them an affidavit. This is an official document from key UK military personnel that confirms that their men guarding the mainland were indeed under threat and attack in the war — therefore they should be recognised as veterans. We will also be holding a protest outside.”
For more information visit the Forgotten Men Of The Falklands / Malvinas War FACEBOOK PAGE!
New Brighton’s regeneration project and CIC, Rockpoint Leisure, is helping facilitate the visit of Julio and his wife Laura by offering them accommodation in the colourful seaside town. CEO Daniel Davies, who is fighting his own cancer battle, is keen to help veterans and people from all walks of life.
Daniel explained: “I’ve been aware of the fight for justice for these veterans for a while now and I commend the work Edward is doing to help his former enemy. As a CIC here in the seaside town, we’re keen to help people from all walks of life, especially if there’s been an injustice, so hopefully by hosting Julio and Laura here we can help in some way.”
For more information visit the Forgotten Men Of The Falklands / Malvinas War FACEBOOK PAGE!
Whilst in New Brighton, Julio will also be meeting local SAS hero Rusty Firmin — who’s mission was to attack the mainland Argentinian airbase during the 1982 conflict. The airbase housed the Super Etendard aircraft, pilots and exocet missiles that had caused so much damage. Julio was also on that airbase at the time but the mission was later aborted. The legendary British veteran is a national hero due to his key role in thwarting the Iranian Embassy siege of 1980, representing another very special meeting for Julio.
For more information visit the Forgotten Men Of The Falklands / Malvinas War FACEBOOK PAGE!
Julio’s visit will see him re-united with his friend Edward and will give him the opportunity to meet other UK veterans, as well as visiting UK military sites. A lover of British history and culture, it will be a unique opportunity for him to experience the best of what the UK has to offer whilst building bridges and further attempting recognition for him fellow Argentine veterans.
Julio said: “This has been an injustice that has gone on for 40 years and we will not give up the fight. We are very grateful to Edward for all he is doing to help our cause — he is a man of honour. My wife Laura and I are looking forward to the visit — we have been wanting to visit for so long — and hopefully our visit to the Argentine Embassy in London to hand over the document will finally bring about recognition.”
For more information visit the Forgotten Men Of The Falklands / Malvinas War FACEBOOK PAGE!
Julio Herrera Vidal VGM will be visiting New Brighton, Wirral, on Tuesday 3rd May 2022 until Tuesday 18th May 2022 — with a trip to London to hand over the official document that they hope will achieve recognition for the ‘Forgotten Men Of The Falklands War’.
For more information visit the Forgotten Men Of The Falklands / Malvinas War FACEBOOK PAGE!
