NEWPORTONIANS played a prominent part in the ceremonials as a memorial to the men of the Merchant Navy who died in the Falklands conflict was unveiled in London by the First Sea Lord.

Bertram Bale, of Ridgeway, Newport, and vice-president of the Merchant Navy Association and the event's co-ordinator, greeted the First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Alan West.

As the 1,000 veterans preceded by the band of the Royal Marines marched past they were marshalled by Regimental Sergeant Major Neil Smiles, of the Newport-based 104 Regiment, Royal Artillery.

Leslie Thomas, the Newport-born author, was a guest of honour, alongside the mayor and mayoress of Newport, Councillor Ken Critchley and his wife, Sue.

The route was lined by soldiers of the Welsh Guards, the regiment which was decimated after their ship, the Sir Galahad, was hit by Argentinian warplanes at the height of the campaign.

The regiment was represented by Lieutenant-Colonel Ben Bathhurst and by the Quartermaster, Captain Martyn Miles, from Crumlin, who was a Lance-Sergeant in the Falklands campaign and aboard the Sir Galahad when she came under attack.

Also present was the Regimental Sergeant Major Mike Regan, who is from Newport.

The memorial, near the Tower of London, is surmounted by an anchor and bears the name of 17 civilian sailors who died in the conflict, many of them Hong Kong Chinese.

Buddhist, Muslim and Jewish religious leaders took part in the service along with their Christian counterparts. As each name was read out the ship's bell, recovered from the Sir Galahad, was tolled in solemn tribute.

"The statue is a fitting tribute to very brave sailors who gave their lives fighting for a just British cause," said Mr Bale, who is also chairman of the Newport branch of the Merchant Navy Association.

"As a former Welsh Guardsman myself I am delighted that the regiment was able to play a prominent part in proceedings.

"The Merchant Navy and the Welsh Guards, who lost over 50 men, have a strong bond through their Falklands experiences."

Lieutenant-Colonel Bathhurst, commanding officer of the 1st battalion, the Welsh Guards, said: "We are very pleased to have been given the opportunity to participate in the unveiling of the Merchant Navy Falklands memorial.

"Throughout the 1982 campaign the Welsh Guards and the Merchant Navy shared a special link through the tragic loss of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel Sir Galahad, aboard which so many Merchant Navy men and Welsh Guardsmen died or were injured."