THE SUN SAYS GOOD LUCK LADS patriotic badge - Falkland Islands war (1982)
The Falkland Islands are British governed territories in the South Atlantic but whose sovereignty is also claimed by Argentina. Argentinean sovereignty claims over the Falkland Islands had gathered pace during the Peronist government in the 1970’s. In December1981 the Argentinean government was overthrown in a coup and a Junta (military government) set up under the Presidency of General Leopoldo Galtieri. In March 1982 Galtieri launched a military invasion of the Islands and won an easy victory over the islanders, guarded only by a small detachment of Royal Marines. However, what was unexpected at the time was that the British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher had launched a Royal Navy led task force to retake the Falkland Islands. This Task Force set sail on the 5th April 1982 and encountered their first action against the Argentinean Defence Forces on the 1st May. The result was the largest sea battle since WW2 and by June the same year the Argentineans were defeated, withdrew and Rex Hunt reinstated as Governor of the Islands. 908 people had lost their lives during the conflict – 649 Argentinean Servicemen, 255 British Servicemen and 3 civilian islanders as well as great material loss on both sides.
One of the effects the Falkland’s war had in both countries was to produce a wave of patriotic sentiment. In Argentina, the political aftermath was mainly negative and hastened the downfall of Galtieri’s Junta government. Whereas in Britain, it strengthened Margaret Thatcher’s popularity and ensure another electoral win for her government in 1983. The Falkland Islands also greatly benefited from increased investment to make their hard-won sovereignty more secure.
The war also enhanced the standing of Britain’s defence forces who benefited from an increased budget, modernisation programme and an increased interest amongst new recruits. It also earned a fearsome respect for the French-built Exocet anti-ship missile that the Argentine navy possessed at the time and used to devastating effect.
The Sun was first published in 1964 but struggled with a declining circulation until its fortunes were revived after by Robert Maxwell and later Rupert Murdoch under the editorship of Larry Lamb. In 1979 the Sun endorsed Margaret Thatcher’s candidacy during the 1979 general election and remained her firm supporter, which explains the background to their patriotic merchandise relating to the Falkland’s war. The tone of the Sun newspaper was extremely popularist and often controversial but remains one of Britain’s best selling daily nationals.
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References:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falklands_War (The Falkland Islands war).
www.yendor.com/vanished/falklands-war.html (Falkland Islands war - chronology of events).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sun_(United_Kingdom) (The Sun newspaper).
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Print: Lithography in 2 colours (red & blue)
Finish: laminated.
Material: Tinned steel.
Fixer: Pin.
Size: 1 ¾” in diameter (about 45mm)
Process: Button badge.
Maker: No maker’s name or mark.
.
Thank you for reading.
Stuart.
THE SUN SAYS GOOD LUCK LADS patriotic badge - Falkland Islands war (1982)
The Falkland Islands are British governed territories in the South Atlantic but whose sovereignty is also claimed by Argentina. Argentinean sovereignty claims over the Falkland Islands had gathered pace during the Peronist government in the 1970’s. In December1981 the Argentinean government was overthrown in a coup and a Junta (military government) set up under the Presidency of General Leopoldo Galtieri. In March 1982 Galtieri launched a military invasion of the Islands and won an easy victory over the islanders, guarded only by a small detachment of Royal Marines. However, what was unexpected at the time was that the British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher had launched a Royal Navy led task force to retake the Falkland Islands. This Task Force set sail on the 5th April 1982 and encountered their first action against the Argentinean Defence Forces on the 1st May. The result was the largest sea battle since WW2 and by June the same year the Argentineans were defeated, withdrew and Rex Hunt reinstated as Governor of the Islands. 908 people had lost their lives during the conflict – 649 Argentinean Servicemen, 255 British Servicemen and 3 civilian islanders as well as great material loss on both sides.
One of the effects the Falkland’s war had in both countries was to produce a wave of patriotic sentiment. In Argentina, the political aftermath was mainly negative and hastened the downfall of Galtieri’s Junta government. Whereas in Britain, it strengthened Margaret Thatcher’s popularity and ensure another electoral win for her government in 1983. The Falkland Islands also greatly benefited from increased investment to make their hard-won sovereignty more secure.
The war also enhanced the standing of Britain’s defence forces who benefited from an increased budget, modernisation programme and an increased interest amongst new recruits. It also earned a fearsome respect for the French-built Exocet anti-ship missile that the Argentine navy possessed at the time and used to devastating effect.
The Sun was first published in 1964 but struggled with a declining circulation until its fortunes were revived after by Robert Maxwell and later Rupert Murdoch under the editorship of Larry Lamb. In 1979 the Sun endorsed Margaret Thatcher’s candidacy during the 1979 general election and remained her firm supporter, which explains the background to their patriotic merchandise relating to the Falkland’s war. The tone of the Sun newspaper was extremely popularist and often controversial but remains one of Britain’s best selling daily nationals.
.
References:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falklands_War (The Falkland Islands war).
www.yendor.com/vanished/falklands-war.html (Falkland Islands war - chronology of events).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sun_(United_Kingdom) (The Sun newspaper).
.
Print: Lithography in 2 colours (red & blue)
Finish: laminated.
Material: Tinned steel.
Fixer: Pin.
Size: 1 ¾” in diameter (about 45mm)
Process: Button badge.
Maker: No maker’s name or mark.
.
Thank you for reading.
Stuart.