Gareth Hughes

Gareth was born on 12th May 1960, into a large Welsh speaking family of four brothers and one sister in Llanfairfechan, a small village in North Wales. Gareth’s father, the late Edwin Hughes, served with the South Wales Borderers in the 1950s; his brother Stephen served in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Gareth’s best friend was also a soldier. David Jones was a member of The Parachute Regiment and served with 2 Para in the Falklands; he also married Gareth’s only sister Ceri in June 1983.

After leaving school in 1976 Gareth joined the Welsh Guards as a junior soldier. On completion of training he became a Guardsman. He served in Northern Ireland and Germany as well as undertaking ceremonial duties in London and Windsor. The Battalion also went on training exercises to Canada and Kenya.

Whilst in Germany he was seconded to a unit which was testing prototypes of a new infantry personal weapon. This automatic rifle subsequently developed into the SA80 which the Army uses today.

In May 1982, Gareth sailed with the rest of his comrades from Southampton in the QE2. They were part of the 5th Infantry Brigade, sent to reinforce 3rd Commando Brigade in the Falkland Islands. On June 8th while they were still embarked in the RFA logistic ship Sir Galahad in Fitzroy Sound, the ship was attacked by Argentine Air Force aircraft. Several bombs exploded in the tank deck, and Gareth was amongst those who were killed. The ship was subsequently towed out to sea and sunk as a war grave to the south of the Islands. Gareth is buried at sea with his friends and comrades.

“Anghofiwn byth ohonot Gareth

Collasom frawd, collasom ffrind

Cyfarddwn eto rhyw ddydd

Tan hynny cysga Di”

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]