In The News

Former governor of the Falkland Islands Sir Rex Hunt passes away

Former governor of the Falkland Islands Sir Rex Hunt passes away

SIR Rex Hunt, who was governor of the Falkland Islands at the time of the Argentine invasion in 1982, has passed away. He was 86.

Sir Rex was taken prisoner when Argentine soldiers took over the capital of the islands, Port Stanley. He was then expelled from the islands and flown to Uruquay.

The people of the Falklands have always regarded Sir Rex as a hero for the dignified way he dealt with the invasion. At the time, only a small number of soldiers were stationed in the Falklands and they were quickly taken prisoners by the invaders.

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher ordered a task force to sail from Britain to reclaim the islands.

The conflict which followed was to last 74 days and claim the lives of 255 British military personnel and three islanders. More than 600 Argentine soldiers died in the conflict.

As soon as the conflict ended, Sir Rex was allowed to return to Port Stanley. He remained as governor until 1985 when he was granted the Freedom of Stanley in recognition of his contribution to the islands.

The Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands has paid tribute to their former governor.

A statement said: “Sir Rex will forever be remembered in the islands for his years of service as governor, and particularly for his courage and dignity in facing the Argentine invasion in 1982.

“A loyal friend of the Falkland Islands, he served for many years as chairman of the Falkland Islands Association and as president of the UK Falkland Islands Trust.

“His passion and commitment to the Falkland Islands will be sorely missed. The thoughts and deepest sympathies of all Falkland Islanders are with his family and friends at this sad time.”

Sir Rex had been living in retirement in Stockton-on-Tees.

To view archive material from the time of the Falklands conflict, click here.

View previous In the News items: Former Coronation Street star Bill Tarmey passes away, Headstone is erected 94 years after burial of Portadown soldier, Tributes are paid to actor Clive Dunn, Funeral of Comber soldier Channing Day to take place, Funeral of murdered prison officer David Black takes place, Former racing driver John Fitch passes away, Tributes are paid to songwriter Bill Dees, Tributes are paid to musician Jo Dunne, Composer Hans Werner Henze passes away, Battle of Britain pilot William Walker passes away, Veteran US politician George McGovern passes away, Genius inventor Stanford Ovshinsky passes away, Former footballer Helmut Haller passes away, Tributes are paid to veteran MP Sir Stuart Bell, Scientist behind cloning breakthrough passes away, Tributes are paid to former cricketer Kevin Curran, Former PoW Eric Lomax passes away, Atom bomb physicist Robert Christy passes away, Great session guitarist Big Jim Sullivan passes away, Tributes are paid to historian Eric Hobsbawm, Motown producer Frank Wilson passes away, Veteran actor Herbert Lom passes away, Singer Andy Williams passes away, Former football manager John Bond passes away, Tributes are paid to Cookstown funeral director, Tributes are paid to top wine merchant, Former London gangster Charlie Richardson passes away, American poet Louis Simpson passes away, Funeral takes place of tragic father and sons, Former footballer Jimmy Andrews passes away, Man behind advances in Formula 1 racing safety passes away, Discovered remains may be those of Richard III, Film producer Jake Eberts passes away, Inventor of modern laptop computer Bill Moggridge passes away, Wildlife expert Terry Nutkins passes away, Singer songwriter Joe South passes away, Funeral of motorcycle road racer takes place, Oscar nominated actor Michael Clarke Duncan passes away, Oscar nominated actor Michael Clarke Duncan passes away, Comedian and entertainer Max Bygraves passes away, Former junior minister Sir Rhodes Boyson passes away, Former Royal Navy frogman Sydney Knowles passes away, First man on the moon Neil Armstrong passes away, Character actor william Windom passes away, Amy Winehouse Foundation supports hospice in Dublin, Author Nina Bawden passes away, Comedian Phyllis Diller passes away, Tributes are paid to singer songwriter Scott McKenzie, Tragic mother Winnie Johnson passes away, Science fiction writer Harry Harrison passes away, Disability rights pioneer Lord Morris passes away, Darts broadcaster Sid Waddell passes away or Special effects expert Carlo Rambaldi passes away

 

If you have a relative or a friend who has passed away and feel they should be mentioned in our In the News section, then please email us.