Last year we brought you the amazing story of Edward Denmark. The Wirral man with terminal blood cancer is taking on the Argentinian government in order to fight for the justice of the Argentinian soldiers he once fought against in the Falklands War — soldiers who have been living like peasants with no recognition for their service.
Now, in key developments, Edward’s video plea to Argentina’s President Macri has been seen by the country’s leader and with pressure from the Argentinian press, history could be made. Here at La Vida Liverpool, we’re leading the media fight in the UK and our press release is making waves. Here’s the incredible story….
Edward Denmark of Moreton, Wirral, fought in The Falklands War as a Rapier Missile Operator in 1982, before going on to serve in Northern Ireland. In The Falklands he was responsible for shooting down enemy jets and his rapier shot down one enemy jet, with his regiment shooting down 14 in total.
Edward retired due to injury after serving in Northern Ireland and has since been writing autobiographical books about his time serving Queen and Country. In 2015 he was diagnosed with a terminal form of blood cancer called multiple myeloma and this led him to look at life differently.
In 2016, Edward decided to get in touch with some of the Argentinian soldiers he once fought against in The Falklands War. After many conversations with various Argentinian ex soldiers, he discovered that the Argentinian soldiers who fought on The Falklands Islands were recognised for their efforts however ones who fought on the Argentinian mainland were not.
Moreover, many of the Argentinian soldiers who fought in The Falklands War have in fact been living in a state of poverty for the last 37 years – without any pension or national healthcare. On the contrary, all British soldiers who fought in The Falklands have been recognised for their service to their country.
Argentinian ex-soldier Julio Herrera Vidal Vgm (above), who Edward liaises with regularly, told us: “I have so many friends living like dogs in the street. We have been forgotten by state and country. I was lucky I was born in a middle class family but thousands were not. Injustice is our middle name. This injustice has gone on for 37 years and many have died in bad conditions without being recognised.”
In 2014, David Cameron extended the criteria for British military personnel to be recognised for their service during The Falklands War. This meant that the soldiers who served in The Falklands after the war had ended also received the South Atlantic Medal – the same award as the soldiers who fought during the war – as they were technically still at risk of attack.
The Argentinian soldiers and air men who fought on The Falklands Islands have been awarded 3rd Grade medals and the air men who fought on the mainland have been awarded 4th Grade medals. However, approximately 9,000 have not been recognised whatsoever by the Argentinian government for their efforts – even though their lives were at risk from British Special Forces landing on the mainland.
Edward’s life changing event of being diagnosed with terminal cancer has led him to fight for the justice and recognition of the Argentinian soldiers who fought on the mainland. His work has received a lot of media exposure in Argentina and his recent Youtube video has been seen by Argentinian President Macri.
Edward told us: “After hearing about the plight of my former enemy and the fact that they have been left unrecognised for 37 years, I decided this was unjust and morally wrong. Using a newly found friend and Argentinian veteran, Julio Herrera Vidal, I offered my support in the fight to get these men recognised for their courage and dedication to their country.”
A group of thousands of Argentinian ex-soldiers have come together to raise money for Edward to visit Argentina and confront the Argentinian government, with the hope of convincing them to at least recognise the Argentinian soldiers who fought on the mainland.
Unfortunately, Edward has so far been too ill through his condition to travel such a long distance but hopes to raise awareness of the campaign and encourage the Argentinian government to reward the soldiers – many of whom continue to live a very poor quality of life.
Check out an article from the Buenos Aires Times HERE!
***PLEASE SHARE TO HELP THESE POOR MEN BE RECOGNISED***
