THE landlord of the Royal Oak Inn, Meavy, has attended a dedication ceremony for the HMS Ardent Association Anchor Memorial, which was led by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester.

Stephen Earp, who was 18 and a Royal Marine engineer on board HMS Ardent, was joined by his daughter Imogen at the dedication ceremony.

Also attending were more than 100 association members and guests.

The service was conducted by the Deputy Chaplain of the Fleet, followed by the unveiling of the commemorative plaques by the Duchess.

The Duchess of Gloucester led the dedication ceremony for the memorial located in the grounds of the National Memorial Arboretum on the 33rd anniversary of the sinking of HMS Ardent in Falkland Sound.

The anchor serves as a lasting memorial to the 22 members of the HMS Ardent crew who gave their lives in the service of their country helping retake the Falkland Islands from the Argentinian occupying forces.