Gavin Hamilton (British Army Officer) - West Falkland

West Falkland

On 5 June, he was deployed in command of a four man observation patrol into positions, again behind enemy lines on West Falkland to carry out observation of Argentine activities in Port Howard. He managed to establish himself in a position only 2500 metres from the Argentine positions, from which he sent detailed and accurate reports on the enemy. Shortly after dawn on 10 June he realised that he and his radio operator had been surrounded in a forward position. Although heavily outgunned by soldiers from the 1st Section 601 Commando Company and with no reinforcements available he gave the order to engage the enemy, telling his signaller that they should both attempt to fight their way out of the encirclement. Since the withdrawal route was completely exposed to enemy observation and fire he initiated the fire fight in order to allow his signaller to move first. After the resulting exchange of fire he was wounded in the back and it became clear to his signaller that Hamilton was only able to move with difficulty. Nevertheless he told his signaller that he could continue to hold off the enemy while the signaller made good his escape, and he then proceeded to give further covering fire. Shortly after that he was killed.

Hamilton was buried with full military honours by the Argentines. The Argentine Army commando patrol commander involved, First Lieutenant José Martiniano Duarte, met Hamilton's wife (Vicky Hamilton) in 2001 and praised the heroism of the SAS officer. Hamilton was posthumously awarded the Military Cross. Some think he should have been given a VC. But because no superior officer was present during this action no VC was awarded.

When the Argentine Commander of Port Howard, Colonel Juan Ramon Mabragaña, was interrogated after the Argentine surrender, he asked that 'the SAS Captain' be decorated for his actions as he was 'the most courageous man I have ever seen'.

Captain Hamilton was buried at the small cemetery in Port Howard.