A service in Coalville marked 40 years since the end of the Falklands War - with a plea from the organiser not to let it become a forgotten conflict.

Whitwick British Legion organised the commemoration, even though the branch's chairman could not even bring himself to discuss the horrors of what he saw in the southern Atlantic until a couple of years ag.

Phil Beet had been blocking out what he saw as a medic during the 1982 battles with Argentina for the Falklands Islands.

All the veterans who attended the service lined up for a photo at the Clock Tower

But he felt the 40th anniversary of the British victory could not go without being marked in some way.

So he organised what turned out to be an emotional and poignant service in Memorial Square beneath the Clock Tower.

Veterans of all ages gathered to hear messages those who were there, including Phil and Coalville councillor Craig Smith.

Phil read an excerpt from the diary of a young solider who lost a foot and could only think about how he would now be able to drive the car he had just bought.

The bagpipes of the Seaforth Highlanders Pipes and Drums came in after the figure of a solider, complete with backpack walked on to the square to the tune of Rod Stewart's 'Sailing'.

Afterwards, Phil spoke to Coalville Nub News about the day - but did not want to go into detail about what he had seen 40 years previous.

He said: "I recently took on the role of chairman for the Whitwick branch, and I just felt for myself, and for all the Falklands veterans, in the area, we cannot let this go.

"It mustn't become a forgotten conflict.

"It's not just about the guys who stayed there, and are still on patrol, it's about the guys who came back, damaged, physically and mentally, it's to say to them. Thank you for being there and being brothers - and all these guys, irrespective of rank and regiment, cap badge, whatever you want to call it, we're all brothers.

"We weren't fighting for anybody else other than each other, and it's difficult to describe that, that closeness, that brotherhood.

"I can turn to any one of these guys, and I know they've got my back.

"There is a true deep bond that exceeds family. Because they are family."

Phil admitted this was a day that meant a lot to him as well as everyone who attended.

He added: "Sunday laid a lot of demons to rest for me.

"Until a couple of years ago, I didn't want to know anything about it.

"Seriously. I would avoid anything about it on the TV or the media, whatever it was, I just pushed it away."

Phil admitted what he saw in 1982 is not something he wants to discuss.

He added: "It was the same as the guys from the First World War, the Second World War.

"Korea, Aden, Borneo, Burma. We don't talk about this sort of thing, but people have to know.

"There are people alive today, who went off to a far and distant land to defend the opportunity for people to protest, to complain, to tell us we are wrong. That's fine.

"But we know that somebody's got to stand up.

"What I wanted to do here, on behalf of myself, but also for the Legions to say "thank you guys", thank you for your willingness to sacrifice."

Phil described his role as a medic during the conflict.

He said: "I was a medic. I was initially attached to the Gurkhas, King Edwards Gurkha rifles, I was then dragged away from them and was sent off as an independent to be with people such as Queen's Lancashire Rifles, Royal Engineers,

"I was a good medic, and for my sins, they said we need you with them, then we need you with them. I went where I was asked.

"I read an extract from the soldier's diary at the service, you've got that young guy lying there with no legs or no arms,

"I wasn't with him, but I saw a lot of others."

• You can hear Phil reading from the diary on our Facebook live video which can be found on the Coalville Nub News Facebook page.