SOUTHAMPTON City Council will mark the 40th anniversary of the end of the Falklands War this June. 

A commemorative service will take place next week at Holyrood Church to honour members of the Merchant Navy who lost their lives at sea. 

The service will begin at 11am on Tuesday, June 14, with a Chinook helicopter from 18 (B) Squadron, RAF Odiham, flying over the church if the weather permits.

The Southampton service will be conducted by the Right Reverend Debbie Sellin, Bishop of Southampton, and the Reverend John Attenborough. 

Councillor Satvir Kaur, Leader of Southampton City Council, said: "Southampton played a key role in supporting the task force during the Falklands conflict and many residents will have played a part or have friends or family who did.

"It's so important that we mark the anniversary so we can continue to educate future generations, thank many for their service, and honour those who bravely gave their lives."

A contingent from 17 Port & Maritime Regiment RLC - who have previously been awarded Freedom of the City - will be present at the service alongside veterans.

They will lead a parade through the city after the service ends. 

The parade will start at Holyrood Church and make its way along the High Street, through the Bargate before heading north onto Above Bar and ending in Guildhall Square. 

There will be limited public access inside the church. However, members of the public are welcome to congregate in the area surrounding the church.

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Meanwhile, a specially curated display of the liners QE2 and Canberra, which were converted for use as troop carriers, is also on display at SeaCity Museum.

The display also includes six paintings related to the conflict by former President of the Society of Marine Artists, David Cobb. 

The paintings were donated to the City Council’s Maritime and Local History collection in memory of Commander David Joel RN, who was the Naval Liaison Officer in Southampton during the Falklands War. 

The paintings were owned by Joel and donated by his wife after he died.

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