Marchwood memorial marks 40 years since Falklands war deaths

Veterans and their families gathered to mark 40 years since the single largest loss of life during the Falklands War.

More than 150 people attended the commemoration service at Marchwood Military Port.

They paid their respects to those killed on board the Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram, which were attacked by Argentine fighter jets on 8 June 1982.

The explosion and fire on board the Sir Galahad, at Bluff Cove, killed 48 men.

Of the 48 soldiers who died on the Sir Galahad, 32 were from the Welsh Guards

Of those killed aboard the Royal Fleet Auxilliary support ships, 32 were from the Welsh Guards and eight men and crew died on the Sir Tristram.

Former Welsh Guard and Falklands veteran, Mike Hermanis, said: "Not a single day in the last 40 years has gone by, where I have not thought about it.

"Not one day where I don't think of those boys, I knew every one of them."

A memorial parade through the military port, where 17 Port and Maritime Regiment is based, took place as well as a wreath-laying ceremony.

Capt Philip Roberts said the ship had a "great bunch of officers" who helped avert an even greater loss of life

Capt Philip Roberts, the captain of Sir Galahad at the time, attended the ceremony.

"Before we were hit, Sir Galahad was a lovely, efficient ship, a great ship's company, a great bunch of officers and we all worked together and did tremendous work down in the Falklands," he said.

"They did such a great job on the ship all of those years ago. One has to think that without the solid support they gave to me as captain there it might have been a bigger tragedy than it was."