Grantham man returns to Falklands where 13 shipmates died in battle

A former Royal Navy seaman has returned to the Falkland Islands for the first time in 33 years since his ship was hit by an Argentine missile. Phil Davy, of Walton Gardens, Grantham, counts himself lucky as he says, but for circumstances, the exocet missile that was fired at his ship could well have killed him. Thirteen of his shipmates died in the attack.At the end of march he had the chance to go back with his company, Cathodic Protection Co Ltd, based in Grantham, which won a contract to test equipment at the RAF base on the Falklands. Although not directly part of the testing team, Phil was given the opportunity to travel with them to carry out the work and visit the various memorials around the island dedicated to the military personnel lost in the conflict on both sides. Phil was a weapons engineering mechanic on the ship. At 6.35am on June 12 Glamorgan was hit by a missile fired from a makeshift launcher on the back of a lorry. The ship was 18 miles out to see and was turning away when she was hit, avoiding an even worse fate. She returned to England after the war. On his return to the islands, Phil visited the various battle sites, including the spot where the Exocet missile was fired at his ship. But it was the many memorials that Phil found moving, as it brought back many memories of the conflict and friends lost. Phil said: “It was very moving and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to go down there.” He added: “I was fortunate enough to be able to drive round East Island, where most of the fighting during the conflict took place. It was hard to imagine that amongst the serene solitude of this isolated and beautiful landscape, hard battles were fought. Read more HERE   R.I.P.


WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

Woman visits Falklands 32 years after husband's death

It has been 32 years since the Falklands War, when a woman called Jean Stroud-Mort from Bolton got the news every wife dreaded.

Her 20-year-old husband John had been killed when his ship, HMS Glamorgan, was struck by an excocet missile just days before the end of the fighting.See Video
  HERE   R.I.P.

South Atlantic ceremony marks the deaths of 14 servicemen in Falklands War nearly 33 years ago

Missile attack on HMS Glamorgan remembered by latest breed of Royal Navy.A poignant ceremony has taken place in the South Atlantic honouring servicemen who died in a missile attack on HMS Glamorgan during the Falklands War.

HMS Dragon, a Daring-class air defence destroyer, held a service of remembrance 22 miles off the Falklands coast, where crew laid a wreath over the spot where HMS Glamorgan was hit by an Argentine missile nearly 33 years ago.

The tributes to the 14 sailors who died were led by Paul Engeham who, in 1982, was onboard the warship as a staff communications officer.

The impact of the missile destroyed the ship’s helicopter hangar and saw the crew fight for three hours to save the vessel.

Both ships are closely linked to Wales: Glamorgan’s namesake linking her to the historic county, while Dragon is tied to Cardiff, the nation’s capital.

The ships carry a dragon motif on their hulls.

The Dragon’s crew gathered on the deck of the ship to pay their respects to the sailors as Mr Engeham cast a wreath into the ocean.

Referring to the day the ship was attacked, Mr Engeham said: “We lost some really good men that day and I shall never forget the bravery and fortitude of all onboard to get the job done and return to the front line.

“It was a real privilege to pass over the spot where HMS Glamorgan was hit.

“It seemed fitting to do so in a ship which, like Glamorgan, is at the forefront of Naval technology in her time.”Read More   HERE  R.I.P.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

Falklands veteran says support can be better for those returning to civilian life

A FORMER member of the Royal Navy has spoken out at the problems members of the armed forces from the Midlands face when returning to civilian life. Nigel Fielding was stationed on board HMS Glamorgan during the Falklands War and is now working at the Mecure Hotel in Newton Solney. He left the Navy in 1998 after serving for 24 years. However he says that when he first left the navy, the support available to him was minimal. He told the Mail: “From my experience I found that there was little or no after-care available to ex-servicemen, you were left on your own. The only thing was a commitment by the forces to pay your pension on time, but that was about it. Read more HERE


When I left the military I didn't even know what PTSD meant?

HMS GLAMORGAN THE FALKLANDS WAR

FALKLANDS WAR VETERAN REMEMBERS EXOCET HIT ON HMS GLAMORGAN

NIGEL Fielding said he will always remember the moment an Argentine exocet missile scored a direct hit on his ship, the HMS Glamorgan, off the Falkland Islands in 1982.As flames ripped through the ship and his boots melted from the heat, Nigel, fought desperately to reach trapped crewmen.His efforts were in vain.In the attack, at 6.31am on June 12, 13 crewmen died, another later died from wounds and 42 were injured.Nigel, 54, who works at the Newton Park hotel, in Newton Solney, said he thinks about the attack every day.He said: “It’s something that stays with you. “You don’t forget it – there’s not a day that goes by when I don’t think about what happened. Read More HERE

I Remember the attack on the Sir Galahad every day as well.