THIS year is the 25th anniversary of the Falklands conflict in which 255 British servicemen and 655 Argentines lost their lives.

The Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Poole-based Special Boat Service were all involved in the three months of bloody fighting in 1982.

Argentine forces invaded the island they call Las Malvinas on April 2, 1982, and the attack started 74 days of heroism and horror.

Several Royal Navy vessels were bombed and some sunk.

Memorials at the Hamworthy base commemorate six men who were killed when a Special Boat Service landing craft was attacked.

The Prime Minister at the time, Margaret Thatcher, claimed the war "put the Great back into Britain".

The sinking of Argentine cruiser General Belgrano, however, and the loss of hundreds of lives in this incident, remains a contentious issue.

This year there will be several commemorative events both in the UK and on the islands, 7,000 miles south of Britain.

These will include a commemorative parade and concert in Gosport in June and a Ministry of Defence sponsored event on June 17 in London.

In Poole, the Royal Marines will exercise their right to march through the town on May 24.

The parade will march from the ferry port, over Poole Bridge, to the Falklands Square where a service of commemoration will be held.

The Daily Echo is appealing to readers to send in memories of the war for a series of memorial features.

Did you or your family serve in the war? Do you have interesting memories of the conflict?

If so please contact the Echo by email on newsdesk@ bournemouthecho.co.uk or by post to the Newsdesk at the Daily Echo, Richmond Hill, Bournemouth, BH6 6HH.