TREVOR Bradshaw remembers being sent into the darkness of battle with Argentinian troops in an operation that felt like something from the First World War.
He was aged 21 and just three months into his service with the 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment when war broke out in the Falklands.
The private, from Exmouth in Devon, now aged 61, was among those sent in to fight the Argentinians on the ground in the Falklands, including the horrific battle of Mount Longdon.
While taking cover during that battle, Trevor lost his good friend and comrade, Tim Jenkins. Years later, when he returned to the islands, he marked the place where Tim had been killed with a small plaque and rocks to spell his name and regiment.
Trevor said: “It's very important to remember the ordinary young men who were killed serving their country. I've tried to live my life for some of those lads who never got the chance."
Trevor sailed to the Falklands on the SS Canberra and remembers the crowds waving goodbye.
He said: “It was just getting dark when we set sail and there was a long promenade of hundreds and hundreds of cars all facing their headlights to the sea. They were flashing their headlights and beeping their horns. It was an unforgettable send-off, an amazing experience. But then everyone had a lump in their throat as we sailed off into the darkness. No one said very much, and everyone just went off quietly to their rooms.”
Trevor's battalion arrived Ascension Island - midway between Britain and the Falklands - on April on 20. They were sailing to the Falklands on May 19, when they had to be transferred to HMS Intrepid.
This story is from the April 20, 2022 edition of The Herald.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 20, 2022 edition of The Herald.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Injured Ollie's out of England tour
RUGBY UNION Ollie Chessum is set to miss England's summer tour after being ruled out of the rest of the season through injury.
CHANCE OF STAYING
SURVIVAL MEANS GALLOWAY AND MILLER COULD REMAIN
Argyle's top five players from a hard season at Home Park
CHRIS ERRINGTON CHOOSES HIS TOP PLAYERS FROM THE SEASON
Medals galore for divers at Southampton event
PLYMOUTH DIVING EXCEL ONCE AGAIN AT THE SOUTH EAST REGIONAL MEETING
Lando sets sights on 2025 title bid
LANDO Norris believes McLaren will “100 per cent” be title contenders next season and predicts plenty more excitement for the rest of 2024.
Interest rates held at 5.25% but BoE 'optimistic' about cuts
THE Bank of England has decided to keep UK interest rates unchanged, but gave a new sense of optimism that borrowing costs could soon be cut if inflation is reined in.
I'm too left-wing for Keir's Labour, jokes Mordaunt
PENNY Mordaunt joked she is “too left-wing” for Labour, as she insisted Tory hopes of retaining Dover were “slightly improved” by Natalie Elphicke’s defection.
Modification mastermind jailed for life
THE mastermind of a lucrative extreme body modifications enterprise has been jailed for life.
Rafah hospitals out of fuel in three days - WHO
THE World Health Organisation says it has only three days of fuel for its medical operations in southern Gaza, with shortages already forcing one of three remaining hospitals in the city of Rafah to shut down.
Guest house wins TV show
DESPITE NOT OFFERING ANY BREAKFAST!