We are now off to the Falkland Islands, to visit Cape Pembroke Lighthouse, and interview some ex Keepers.
The islands are British overseas territories located in the South Atlantic, 8,000 miles from Britain. We used to send Principal Keepers there, who served alongside 2 local island keepers, but that process ended quite a while ago I believe, as it was eventually all local keepers only.
My trip was compliments of the Falklands Governor and Government, and I was looked after by Jane Cameron & Rob Ijssel. Jane was later killed in a tragic accident.
As Cape Pembroke Lighthouse is several miles (7, I believe?), I did one walk out there on my own, then 2 more trips out there when I was driven out there with the team that were renovating it.
The Lighthouse was very badly shot up during the War in 1982, when Argentina invaded.
I've pieced together footage that I took, overlaid with the Keepers interviews.
Some of the interviews are obviously about the War and the Keepers perceptions at the time.
When I travelled in 1997, it was from RAF Brize Norton, and at the time the only way of getting there. Nowadays there are other ways, which you can find at the following:
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Call us on +500 22215, write to us at Jetty Visitor Centre, Stanley, Falkland Islands, FIQQ 1ZZ
Also:
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For RAF flight details contact the Falkland Islands Government Office:
14 Broadway, London SW1H 0BH
T: +44 207 222 2542
F: +44 207 222 2375
E: travel@falklands.gov.fk
Where I stayed at Saunders Island:
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Others you may find useful:
trinityhouse.co.uk/contact
phone: 020 7481 6900
Cape Pembroke Lighthouse restoration project due to start soon, see details here:
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Two books that may be of further use are: The British Lighthouse Trail, by Sarah Kerr and Lighthouse Accommodation, Britain & Worldwide by Joy Tubby
Also: The Association of Lighthouse Keepers (ALK)
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Also if you are still into Lighthouses, you may wish to give this other youtuber a visit, search for Lighthouse Buffs.
W.J. Lewis, a Principal Keeper from Britain served at Cape Pembroke, from 1937 to 1946, wrote a book entitled:
Ceaseless Vigil, my lonely years in the Lighthouse service
ISBN 0 245 50352 8
well worth a read, he dedicates a chapter to Cape Pembroke.
The book was printed in 1970, so you will have to search the previously owned sites to locate it.

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