John Callaghan HMS Glamorgan

We are delighted to hold this meeting jointly with members of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

Chief Petty Officer John Callaghan relates his experiences aboard HMS GLAMORGAN during the Falklands conflict.

HMS GLAMORGAN was a County Class Guided Missile Destroyer which was sent to the Falkland Islands on 2 April 1982. The ship was actively engaged in various operations from 1 May through to the 14 June when the Argentinians surrendered. During that time, amongst a variety of engagements, she was deployed in support of the SAS engagement against the Airfield on Pebble Island on 14 May and also in support of the MV ATLANTIC CONVEYOR which was sunk by Argentinian aircraft on 25 May.

Sadly, in the early hours of 12 June, HMS GLAMORGAN was engaged in a fire support mission when she was struck by a land based EXOCET Missile that was fired from Stanley. Thankfully, the ship’s Navigating Officer took immediate action, combined with the firing of a Sea Cat Missile which both slightly minimised the impact of the Missile. Nonetheless the rear Hangar, Flight Deck and Galley were very seriously damaged, which led to a significant listing of the ship, extensive flooding and fires. Regrettably, there were 13 deaths and 14 serious injuries amongst the members of the crew and, given the operational situation, the dead crew members were buried at sea about 12 hours after the engagement. Thankfully, HMS GLAMORGAN did not capsize and, after some local repairs, was able to return back to Portsmouth on 10 July 1982

Please contact the person named below for the link to join the meeting if interested  .