It has now been 43 years since the UK and Argentina fought over the Falkland Islands after scrap metal merchants, infiltrated by Argentine Marines, raised the country’s flag at South Georgia Island on March 19, 1982. Tensions then escalated as the South American invaded the territory on April 2. British troops recaptured South Georgia on April 25, as part of Operation Paraquet. After this milestone, the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, told reporters in Downing Street: “Just rejoice at that news and congratulate our forces and the marines. Goodnight.”

The press then asked: “Are we going to war with Argentina, Mrs Thatcher?”. The Iron Lady replied: “Rejoice.” Britons are familiar with what followed, including the sinking of Argentine General Belgrano by the Royal Navy submarine Conqueror on May 2, resulting in the deaths of 323 Argentine sailors, and Buenos Aires’ attack on HMS Sheffield on May 10, which resulted in the death of 20 British naval personnel.

After the victory at Goose Green, British forces began their battle for Stanley, the archipelago’s capital, and soldiers raised the Union Flag over the city on June 14.

Mrs Thatcher received great plaudits after the archipelago was taken back, and triumphed at the 1983 General Election that followed, when she won a huge majority.

Four decades later, Argentina continues to lay claims on the Falklands, but the UK remains clear in its will to respect the desire of locals to remain part of a British Overseas Territory. Photos have shown Argentine war veterans and their relatives attending a vigil in San Andres de Giles in Buenos Aires province today. They wore medals and held aloft flaming torches.

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Since the end of the war, a UK military presence has been maintained on the islands.

The purpose of the 2,000-strong garrison of troops and a squadron of fighter jets and transport aircraft based around the main airport at Mount Pleasant is to deter any future aggression from Argentina.

“Argentina is always a bit of a shadow over our shoulder,” Leona Roberts, a member of the Falkland Islands legislative assembly, told Sky News.

“The threat and the situation… has not changed.”