Surviving the Falklands

In 1982 Ken Enticknap was a 28-year-old Chief Petty Officer in frigate HMS Ardent, sent to the Falklands with the task force dispatched to the South Atlantic to liberate the islands.
40 years later, the now-retired commander sat down with a Royal Navy photographer to share his moving story of survival and remember the 22 shipmates - one in eight of the ship’s company - who never returned.
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[@mjcrabtree8073]

Hi Ken - We never met and I have just watched the video. It brought back quite a few memories for myself, as I was the pilot of the Wessex that rescued you - hope all is well and best wishes for the future. Mike Crabtree

[@eliasblum753]

What a remarkable coincidence. I hope you guys get to meet up.

[@mickmcmenemy7701]

God bless you.

[@alantoon5708]

All of you did a great job under the most challenging of conditions.

[@alertbri]

Thank you Mike, for your service. 🙏

[@Freebird67]

God bless from submarine veteran from that campaign

[@peterfeeney721]

Dunno what to offer you, Ken. I was on my basic trade training then. We were desperately wishing the course would finish so we could come and help you all. I was a Soldier's son. When they laid the Naval Party in the mud; when they sank Sheffield, then Coventry, then the Conveyor then ... it caused a rage in me which drove me to deploy every op I could blag my way on to. I needed to be there in case I could help. I signed off in 2011 when my boss told me that he would not allow me to deploy to Afghanistan because others needed to "go for their careers"!! And now I am out, Discharged from the Reserve in 2022 as "Too Old"; and, though the Bugle still sounds 'Rally' and 'At the double", I am left unable to go, praying that somewhere there is not a Chief, pinned under something, needing someone to lift it off him. My greatest respects to you, Ken.

[@paulcardin6344]

A very moving story by Ken. I was an LRO on Yarmouth and not 'on watch', so I went up top to help out. I watched two guys in life jackets jump into the sea and be winched up by Broadsword's Wessex. To this day, I never knew if they'd survived. I do now.

[@billmagowan1492]

Fantastic to be so well informed albeit so late in the day!😃👍

[@sebastiancorrea3950]

Desde Argentina mis respetos a este Sr Veterano, emocionante testimonio.

[@peterwhent66]

What a brave man. No hyperbole, just an honest and very human account of his heroism.

[@joshuahicks4574]

Never seen somebody make cuddling another crewmember seem heroic and moving.

[@garethgriffiths8577]

Nice one Jack from a former Royal who served with you in 82

[@truck5050]

Peter Ratcliffe 22 SAS Sergeant at the time of the Falklands, who retired as a Major. He rates the Royal Navy as absolute heroes. Enough said for me.

[@keithlillis7962]

Beautifully filmed and a great telling. I am familiar with Commander Enticknap's story, as he has been kind enough to share it in previous Falklands documentaries of long ago. I am very pleased he is doing well. Much respect.

[@lawrencefish791]

Incredible story.... These guys went through hard time

[@davidhoward5392]

My buddy was the LMA on the Ardent, he survived. Keep in touch with him, saw him about 6 weeks ago, in Plymouth when I was across from Australia, visited the Ardent memorial at the National Arboretum when I was in the UK

[@bikenavbm1229]

Honesty Humility what a Human Being what a Man. thanks for recounting for us clearly there was pain there for you in the memories.

[@mickmacfarlane8705]

Honest and powerful account. I wasn’t there, but served with Sandy Nelson on the 79 Pompy Crew, will never forget his loss or all the others.

[@richardshrimpton7817]

Sandy Nelson was my Division PTI during my HMS Fisgard Tiff training in 1980. A very fair PTI and a standup guy. On Remembrance Sunday I always make a point of remembering him and those others I knew who didn't come back from the Falklands.

[@robogamer5384]

My grandad brother and son all served in the military, and have all seen active service in war zones, thank god they made it home safely,but some are not so fortunate and make the ultimate sacrifice, God bless all servicemen who have died in war they will never be forgotten .

[@Kevin-Brent]

A true Sailor, and a man of Duty & Honor.

[@iansoutryer3189]

How humble and matter-of fact this man is!

[@kristianbrowne4429]

The Ardent's ships bell was recovered by our ships divers when we went down after the war, we brought it back to Gib. So that's the anchor the bell and that bit of shrapnel (HMS Amazon) :-) posted by Kevin Browne

[@julianjules6698]

God Bless the Royal Navy. Every ship that was hit seemed to be on the early morning radio news. My Dad would wake me up early to tell me and so no doubt I would think on it and as a mark of respect. To this day I remember the six names. My hometown ship was the Coventry.

[@angip8724]

Got my baby girl joining next year, she'll be 17.. She has brother there already to hold her hand like he always has... My grandad was chief officer Parkes. And he would be so proud as he always was. I love you all with immense pride 🌟❤️

[@markandaimeelou]

A very brave man.

[@johntait491]

A first class and very moving interview. Thank you. 👍

[@stevesvids]

Well done Ken. As tough for you today as it was then. Thank you for your service. Thank you to them all. 🙏🇬🇧

[@teresaponziani161]

Deeply moving account! God bless all who served!

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

What do imaginary gods have to with it? What an insult to the Wessex crew. Shame.

[@MikeLewis-h8v]

An old work mate of mine was on the Ardent during the Falklands war, Cleve Meyerhoff..

[@murrayeldred3563]

TOP MAN.

[@JohnDoe-tw8es]

That was rather sad. I spent some time in Belfast with the army and think about it off and on. Sometimes I think am I the only one who does.

[@jimdonahue5723]

Commander, your bravery, tenacity and leadership is awe inspiring. Well done. I wish you well and good health to you Sir.

[@paulmcgee1867]

Thank you for sharing and your service, promotion and later activities ❤️

[@marcobrian1619]

I'm the half nephew of the 3rd in command of the royal navy during the falcons war. But all that put aside......it's thanks to you and many many other personal, by doing your little part made a huge difference to the out come. Thank sir.

[@59patrickw]

BZ Please dont do the what IF your alive and can remember your ship mates and keep there memory and of the Ship alive

[@Ravemastergeneral-fn1mc]

God. Bless the senior service .

[@5ch4rn]

I remember him telling his story in a documentary mere months after the war. It one of the most moving things ever, and this re-telling is equally poignant.

[@Northstander]

Thank you for your service and having the courage to tell us about your experience.

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

Says the anonymous coward with ZERO courage!

[@barefootlegend2395]

Absolute •RESPECT!• ..and THANK YOU 🇬🇧❤️

[@MadMatt13]

Beautiful honesty. I have seen the anchor at the Aboretum, powerful stuff.

[@christull6572]

What a Fantastic brave human being!!

[@howarddeane542]

Dear Ken, Thank you very much for this privilege. Very kind wishes Howard Deane (Conservative Party-Member)-Highly confidential

[@Harry-rl5xj]

Hero ❤️

[@sunrayisdown1690]

Hoofing ! Heart of Oak.

[@ramsden35]

Thank you forever

[@SimonAmazingClarke]

Incredible stories from ordinary young men.

[@hunglikeadonkeybutnotassmelly]

Were anybody to wonder... This is what strength of character looks like.

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

Yet you don't have the minimal strength required to use your real name, you coward.

[@judebrown2672]

Respect.

[@stevewhiting4545]

Bravo Zulu young Sur

[@Foxbat1155]

Very disrespectful to have this hollywood thriller music going on in the background.

[@PhweeRage]

Background musical ambience adds feel and emotion to the story. Ken was sent the draft video before release for any recommended edits and he was happy with the production. Virtue signalling is disrepectful to people like Ken whom you patronise. Good intentions poorly directed.

[@stupotingoole]

I shall pay my respects to your fallen comrades at your ships anchor next time I visit the NMA,ex pongo…

[@paolodechipiece1027]

Thatchers defence cut backs left the RN pitifully exposed during the Falklands war, with little or no air cover. Kept the two (previously sold) carriers out of range which reduced effectiveness of the few harriers the UK could muster. If it hadn't been for the help Chile, France and the USA provided it could have been much worse. God bless all who served

[@Andrew-is7rs]

Wont be long before the far left Guardian run another piece calling our islands ‘Malvinas’

[@MrLaizard]

You should rather get concerned about your inmediate neighbours across the strait of Calais calling them MALOUINES