Royal Navy servicemen remembered 38 years after their landing craft is bombed

It was 38 years ago today (June 8) that LCU F4 was heading to Fitzroy on the Falkland Islands to provide vehicle support to fighting troops. Six men lost their lives that fateful day after the vessel was hit by a 500lb bomb with only two of the eight crew surviving.

LCU 4 was one of four landing craft deployed by Portsmouth-based ship, HMS Fearless.

Speaking to The News, former Royal Navy commander, John Prime, 71, who at the time was an operations and navigating officer, said: ‘The troops needed communications Landrovers and the landing craft was the only way to get them round to Fitzroy. It was whilst delivering these vehicles they got hit.

‘I clearly remember the news coming through they’d been hit and the shock when we realised we’d lost six of our mates.’

While the lives of those lost following attacks on naval transport ships, Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram, are remembered annually, John is determined the sacrifices of his comrades are also never forgotten.

‘This attack is far less known but it’s important we never forget. I remember it as if it was yesterday and it’s important to keep their memory alive for as long as possible. This is the only wreck from the Falklands War whose whereabouts remains unknown,’ said John.

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One of the six men never to return was Sergeant Brian Johnston who was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal following his heroic role in helping rescue over 100 survivors from HMS Antelope after a bomb explosion earlier in the conflict.

One of the survivors that day, Bill Parry, would later describe Sergeant Johnston as the “bravest man he never got to thank”.

John said: ‘In recognition of Sergeant Johnston’s heroics, to this day the Assault Squadron Royal Marines fourth landing craft is named FJ in honour of his surname.’

With the coronavirus pandemic preventing the Royal Navy holding their annual commemorative gathering, this year’s remembrance service for those who lost their lives during the conflict took place on the Navy’s YouTube channel.

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