TO mark the 40th anniversary of the start of the Falklands War, Grays Thurrock branch of the Royal British Legion will be hosting an event in Grays.

It will be exactly 40 years since the start of hostilities in a conflict that was to run from 2 April 1982 until the surrender of the Argentinian forces on 14 June.

The war was the result of the Argentine invasion of the British-owned Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic that Argentina had long claimed as part of its territory.

On April 2, 1982, Argentine forces landed in the Falklands, capturing the islands two days later. In response, the British dispatched a naval and amphibious task force to the area. The initial phases of the conflict occurred mainly at sea between elements of the Royal Navy and the Argentine Air Force. On May 21, British troops landed and by June 14 had compelled the Argentine occupiers to surrender.

During the war, Britain suffered 258 killed and 777 wounded. In addition, two destroyers, two frigates, and two auxiliary vessels were sunk. For Argentina, the Falklands War cost 649 killed, 1,068 wounded, and 11,313 captured. In addition, the Argentine Navy lost a submarine, a light cruiser, and seventy-five fixed-wing aircraft.

The Legion event, during which they will be showing what the Legion has to offer in a bid to boost recruitment, will take place in Grays Town Park off Bedford Road, running from 10am to 4pm and based around the next to the park's community café.

There will be a minute's silence at the park's new memorial at 11am.