WITH the renewed claims by Argentina for the return of the Falkland Islands, it is timely to consider the role in that territory’s history of someone who was later to be a prominent figure in late 19th century Bournemouth.

Bartholomew James Sulivan first visited the Falklands in 1833 when he was second officer of HMS Beagle on its famous voyage around the world. The main purpose of the voyage was to survey the coasts of South America, but it has become better known for having Charles Darwin on board.

During the 19th century, the people of South America began rebelling against their Iberian overlords, with Argentina being the first to claim independence in 1810.

Britain remained neutral during these upheavals, but wished to retain a watching brief from its offshore island vantage point, which it had claimed unchallenged in 1690.

Navigational charts of the South Atlantic coasts needed improving and Sulivan was appointed in 1842 to the Falklands in charge of HMS Philomel.

He returned with his wife, who bore him a son – James Young Falkland – claimed to be the first Englishman born on the island.

During the internecine battles across the River Plate, Sulivan piloted the English and French fleets up treacherous waters to protect their nationals caught up in the fighting.

Returning to England when this spell of duty was over, Sulivan soon wished to be back there.

In 1848 he secured a three-year leave from the navy to establish a change in lifestyle.

Sulivan took his family, servants, three horses and some sheep to settle on the Falklands.

Sulivan was knighted for his later actions in the Russian theatre of war, but peace was to prove an anticlimax.

He retired as a Rear Admiral to Bournemouth in 1865, living in Grove Road.

The remaining 25 years of his life was spent involved in local organisations.

Despite his major achievements, he remains little known, yet how many Bournemouthians are depicted on a postage stamp?

He has a lake named after him in Falkland West Island, and helped improve the sheep bloodstock on which the Falklands depend.