IT WAS the moment civic leaders experienced a touch of deja vu as Hampshire welcomed its second royal visitor in 24 hours.

The Earl of Wessex arrived in Marchwood on Friday to attend the rededication of a memorial to 10 civilian sailors killed in the Falklands conflict in 1982.

The moving ceremony took place the day after his sister, the Princess Royal, had opened a £300,000 pontoon at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club.

Marchwood has close links with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), a civilian-manned fleet that supplies the Royal Navy with fuel and ammunition.

The RFA memorial outside St John’s Church bears the names of men killed on the Atlantic Conveyor and two landing ships, the RFA Sir Tristram and the RFA Sir Galahad.

Captain Phillip Roberts, who was on board the RFA Sir Galahad, unveiled the original memorial in 1984 and returned for the rededication.

St John’s is a short distance from Marchwood Military Port, the home of 17 Port and Maritime Regiment and the scene of intense activity after Argentina invaded the Falklands.

After arriving at the port by helicopter the Earl attended a service at the church before unveiling a plaque on the new-look memorial.

He was joined by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson, and the chairman of New Forest District Council, Cllr Alison Hoare, both of whom had also greeted the Princess Royal the day before.

The Earl’s brother, the Duke of York, served as as Royal Navy helicopter pilot during the conflict.

Fred White, chairman of the local parish council, said: “Marchwood has a very special relationship with 17 Port and Maritime Regiment and more specifically the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

“We are proud to have a memorial to the RFA, which served us so well in the Falklands.”

Following the invasion a task force comprising 127 ships,including 43 Royal Navy vessels and 62 merchant craft were sent to the South Atlantic.

On June 8 1982 the Marchwood-based RFA Sir Galahad was destroyed by the Argentine air force with the loss of 48 soldiers and crewmen.

On the same day the RFA Sir Tristram was also attacked and badly damaged.

Senior officers from 17 Port and Maritime Regiment highlighted the role played by Marchwood Military Port and said it was important to remember the sacrifices made.

After the ceremony, the Earl met military personnel, survivors of the Falklands conflict and relatives of those who lost their lives.