From 21 May to 8 June 1982 during the Falklands War RFA Sir Galahad suffered attacks by enemy aircraft. Throughout this period, Captain Roberts took personal charge of the fighting and safety of his ship, crew and embarked force passengers. On two occasions his ship suffered severe bomb damage and had to be abandoned. Captain Roberts organising and controlling each operation. On the first occasion, a 1,000 lb unexploded bomb remained in the ship which was subsequently made safe and removed .

From 21 May to 8 June 1982 during the Falklands War RFA Sir Galahad suffered attacks by enemy aircraft. Throughout this period, Captain Roberts took personal charge of the fighting and safety of his ship, crew and embarked force passengers. On two occasions his ship suffered severe bomb damage and had to be abandoned. Captain Roberts organising and controlling each operation. On the first occasion, a 1,000 lb unexploded bomb remained in the ship which was subsequently made safe and removed .

Captain Roberts then returned with his crew, repaired the damage and continued operations in support of the Land Forces ashore. On the second occasion that Sir Galahad was hit, a large body of troops was still embarked, and evacuation of the ship was especially difficult and dangerous because of a fierce fire and the number of casualities sustained in the enemy’s attack. The ship had been hit by a bomb which exploded in the recreation space, killing a number of soldiers, and also by rockets and possibly napalm. A fierce fire immediately took hold of the ship and small arms ammunition in the tank deck started to explode.

In this desperate, confused and hazadous situation, Captain Roberts organised his crew and the embarked troops with considerable skill. Their safe and timely evacuation was to a large extent due to his personal qualiyies of leadership and courage in the face of great danger.

Captain Roberts was appointed as a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order on 8 October 1982.