Death of former Falklands governor Haskard (100)

THE funeral has taken place in Bantry of the former governor of the Falklands, Sir Cosmo Haskard KCMG MBE. Sir Cosmo, who celebrated his 100th birthday last November, died peacefully at his home in Tragariff last Tuesday.

Sir Cosmo was described by locals in the area as an ‘enormous character’ who lived  in the area with his wife Phillada and their son for over 40 years, following his retirement from his high profile post. The house he lived in was built by his father, John McDougall Haskard, an former officer in the British Army. Born in Dublin in 1916, Sir Cosmo joined the army at the start of World War II and served with the King’s African Rifles in Burma. 

He was appointed the Governor of  the Falklands in 1964  and served there until 1970 and was a keen supporter of the islanders living there who opposed handing the Falklands sovereignty over to Argentina.

Such was his concern about this possible change in British Foreign Policy at the time, he flew to London in 1967 to present his and both the islanders’ views to the British government. While subsequent talks on sovereignty later failed, the people of the Falklands were grateful to Sir Cosmo who kept them well informed on any developments.

Despite leaving the Falklands in 1970, Sir Cosmo had strong connections to the place. 

For his 100th birthday last year, members of the Legislative Assembly, through a representative, presented Sir Cosmo with a gift of a painting of Government House in Stanley to mark his milestone birthday.

Sir Cosmo is survived by his wife Phillada, son Julian and daughter-in-law Michelle and his three grandsons, Cosmo, Piers and Hugo, who live in Australia.