Stratford-upon-Avon's Kim returns from pilgrimage to honour first casualty of the Falklands war
A STRATFORD woman says a pilgrimage to the Falkland Islands in memory of her dead brother has given her “peace in my heart” .
Kim Casey’s older brother Petty Officer Aircrewman Ben Casey was the first casualty of the 1982 Falklands War. The 26-year-old was reported missing, presumed drowned, after the Sea King helicopter he was aboard crashed into the sea during bad weather. The incident happened en route to the South Atlantic, south-west of Ascension Island, off his ship, HMS Hermes.
Kim undertook the journey in the hope that meeting the Islanders and see them living as a free people would heal old wounds. “It’s been a hard forty years,” she said.
She made the trip, which was sponsored by the Falklands Veteran’s Foundation, with her partner Steve Welton. After having had the trip postponed for two years due to the Covid, the couple finally took off from RAF Brize Norton on 6th October for the 18-hour journey. They spent seven days in the capital Stanley on a mixture of social visits, sightseeing and private reflection which included tea with the Falklands governor Alison Blake.
A particularly poignant trip was to Pebble Island, the most northerly part of the territory. While on a sightseeing trip organised by the island’s owner Dot Gould, Kim and Steve visited a picturesque cove with aqua-coloured water and asked whether it could perhaps be named Casey Cove after Ben.
“Dot said yes in a heartbeat. It was amazing,” Kim told the Herald. “That little piece of heaven on earth reminded me of Ben because he loved windsurfing. Surf, sand and beach is the perfect tribute. What a privilege.”
Another memorable part of the visit was the hospitality and friendliness shown to the couple by the Islanders. “Nothing was too much trouble,” she said. “They were all so very sad about it all and they will never forget the sacrifice of these boys. Ever.”
“I came with heavy heart and low expectations as I didn’t want to have them dashed but I have come back with a lot of peace in my heart. I really have.”
Kim added: “I’d like to see his cove again especially if we get a proper memorial, but even if I never go back again I will have had a trip of a lifetime.”
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