Second Engineer Officer Paul Anderson Henry, GM. RFA

 

sir-galahadOn the 8th June 1982 at the height of the Falklands conflict, RFA Sir Galahad was at anchor in Port Pleasant, about 3 cables from RFA Sir Tristram and about a mile from Fitzroy, preparing to disembark elements of the Welsh Guards. At about 17:15 Z, five Skyhawk jets of the Argentinean Air Force commenced an attack on the two LSL’s at anchor.

 

 

 

sir-galahadOn the 8th June 1982 at the height of the Falklands conflict, RFA Sir Galahad was at anchor in Port Pleasant, about 3 cables from RFA Sir Tristram and about a mile from Fitzroy, preparing to disembark elements of the Welsh Guards. At about 17:15 Z, five Skyhawk jets of the Argentinean Air Force commenced an attack on the two LSL’s at anchor.

 

Two of the jets attacked Sir Tristram who was hit by two bombs. One went straight through the ship, the other exploded inside the ship killing the Bosun Yu Sik Chee and a crewman Yeung Shui Kam, the force of the explosion caused immense damage and started fires in the accommodation.

 

The remaining three aircraft attacked Sir Galahad and caused devastating loss of life. One of the bombs went through an open hatch and exploded, causing a massive fireball that swept through the tank deck, where the Welsh Guards were waiting to disembark with devastating consequences. The second bomb exploded in the Galley area, killing the Butcher Sung Yuk Fai instantly and injuring several other crewmen.

 

GMWhilst the third bomb burst in the engine room, killing Third Engineer Officer Andrew Morris. This last bomb produced thick clouds of choking smoke, trapping Third Engineer Officer Christopher Hailwood and Junior Engineer Officer Neil Bagnall in the Machinery Control Room. Junior Engineer Officer Bagnall attempted to escape from the engine room, but was driven back by the smoke. Second Engineer Officer Paul Henry gave the only set of breathing apparatus to Junior Engineer Bagnall and ordered him to try again, thereby saving his life.

 

On the 11th October 1982, Second Engineer Officer Paul Anderson Henry’s family were presented with a Posthumous George Medal in recognition of his bravery.