Gareth Melvyn Griffiths

Gareth Melvyn Griffiths was born in Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire on the 13th March 1951 to John & Hannah Griffiths, being the 4th of 6 children. Gareth joined the Welsh Guards straight from school and following initial training joined the Corps of Drums in which he played the flute. While he was with them the Corps of Drums was posted to Northern Ireland and then Munster in West Germany.

Whilst stationed in Munster Gareth had a pen pal, Janice from Cardiff, whom he married in 1972 upon his return from his second tour of Northern Ireland. Their son, John, was born in 1973 and by this time Gareth had joined the Battalion at Caterham, Surrey. In 1976, after six months in Cyprus serving with the U.N., the family moved with the Battalion to Berlin, W. Germany for 2 1/2 years and in 1979 the Battalion returned to the UK to Pirbright, Surrey. In early 1980 Gareth and Janice’s second son, Gary, was born on the same day Gareth returned from his 3rd tour of Northern Ireland. Gareth was posted to the Guards depot, Pirbright and M.T. platoon and worked as staff car driver to the senior officer at the Depot. Gareth returned to the Battalion in 1982 as they were training to leave for the Falkland Islands. Originally Gareth was to stay behind in the UK but a shortage of lorry drivers meant Gareth flew to Ascension Island to meet the QE2 en route to the Falkland Islands.

On the 8th June 1982 Gareth, aged 31, was posted ‘Missing presumed dead’ following the fateful air strike whilst on board the RFA Sir Galahad in Fitzroy Sound.  Families and friends will remember with great affection. He is sorely missed by everyone who loved and knew him.

And above all Gareth was a very proud, rugby loving, Welsh Man!

Family and friends are encouraged to contribute.

We will add information to this memorial as we receive it.

If you have a photo, an anecdote, or simply to say you remember him, we will be very pleased to hear from you, so please contact the sama office at [email protected]