What was supposed to be a joyful wedding celebration in Portsmouth turned into public outrage this week after a fish and chips van unknowingly parked in front of a memorial honoring the fallen soldiers of the Falklands War.
The sight of the catering truck, called The Cod Fellas, sitting directly in front of the tribute wall left locals heartbroken and furious, especially just weeks before Remembrance Day.
Locals Call It an “Act of Gross Disrespect”
The mobile food van had been set up on Tuesday in front of the Falklands War monument in Hampshire — a spot that commemorates the 128 British personnel, sailors, marines, and civilians who lost their lives in the 1982 conflict between the UK and Argentina.
For residents like Richard Turpin, who lives in the historic naval city, the incident struck a deeply emotional chord.
Turpin, a friend of a soldier who died in the war, described the act as “a moral failure” and “utterly disgraceful.”
“This memorial honors the men who fought and died for this country,” he said, explaining that one of the names engraved there is the father of his close friend, Sergeant A.P. Evans.
“To find a fish and chip van parked right in front of this sacred wall, blocking their names and filling the air with the smell of frying oil, is beyond comprehension.”
“This Is Not a Marketplace — It’s Sacred Ground”
Turpin’s anger was shared by other residents who felt the same sense of disrespect.
He went on to say the memorial was not a “photo backdrop or a convenient spot for a food business,” but a place of solemn reflection where families come to remember loved ones.
“Allowing a takeaway van to trade there shows a complete lack of judgment and moral awareness,” he added.
“It’s a moral failure that has deeply offended veterans, families, and citizens alike. The fallen deserve far better than this.”
Council Steps In After Public Backlash
Following the outrage, Portsmouth City Council quickly responded.
Council leader Steve Pitt, a Liberal Democrat, confirmed that the van had no official permission to operate in that location.
He explained that The Cod Fellas was catering a private wedding at the nearby Square Tower, a historic 15th-century fort now used for events, and that the van was mistakenly told to park there.
“It won’t happen again,” Pitt said firmly. “The council would never have allowed it.
It was completely inappropriate, and measures will be put in place to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
He added that clearer communication will now be required for event organizers, especially regarding memorial sites.
“Everyone must respect the sanctity of these spaces, particularly during the remembrance period,” he said.
Van Owner Apologizes, Says It Was a Mix-Up
The owner of The Cod Fellas, Mr. Singh, who had traveled more than 100 miles from Northamptonshire for the event, said it was an honest mistake.
He explained that staff from the Square Tower told him where to park, and at no point did anyone indicate it was an inappropriate spot.
“When we arrived, we were told to park in front of the pier doors,” he said.
“If we parked there, we would have blocked access to the pier.
So we called the organizers, and they told us it was fine where we were.
I totally understand why people are upset. If we’d been told to move, we would have.”
Event Organizers Issue a Public Apology
The Square Tower management team — Steve Hender, Julia Hender, and William Owen — released a heartfelt apology following the backlash, taking full personal responsibility for the incident.
“We sincerely apologize for the incident in which a catering van was temporarily parked in front of the Falklands Memorial during a private wedding event,” they said in a statement.
“We understand the upset and offence it has caused, particularly within the Falklands and wider veteran community.”
To make amends, they announced that they will donate to a veterans’ charity as a gesture of respect and promised that new event procedures will prevent such mistakes in the future.
“This will never be allowed to happen again,” they emphasized.
Remembering the Fallen
The Falklands War remains a significant chapter in British military history — one marked by courage, sacrifice, and loss.
For those who visit the Portsmouth memorial, it is a sacred space where names etched in stone carry stories of bravery that should never be overshadowed by commercial activity.
As the city prepares for Remembrance Day, locals hope this painful mistake will serve as a reminder of how important it is to honor the memory of the fallen — not just with words, but with respect for the spaces that keep their legacy alive.