Army medic recalls his service in The Falklands War

It's thirty years since Argentina invaded the Falkland islands. They claimed the land had been given to them in the 1800’s by the Spanish and they were reclaiming sovereignty.

1,800 islanders considered themselves British and the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was determined the colony should remain under Britains control.

Private Michael Iddon, or “Iddy” as he’s known, was a combat medic in the Royal Army Medical Corps.

He was sent to the Falklands and was on the Sir Galahad when it was bombed by Argentine Skyhawks.

Most of those who died or were seriously injured had horrific burns. The former Welsh guard Simon Weston was among the casualties.

Iddy almost perished himself. The medics were among the last to leave the ship and had to climb down a ladder to get onto a life raft. Iddy let go and plunged into the freezing water. If it hadn’t been for the swift action of one of his comrades, he would have drowned, because he couldn’t swim.

He returned to the UK suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and was discharged from the Army. His PTSD has dominated his life and on anniversaries like this, the memories that continue to haunt him return with a vengeance.

350 Falklands veterans have committed suicide since the conflict.

The full report from Jane Hesketh: