Andrew Charles Swallow

Andrew, from Bembridge on the Isle of Wight was born on the 8th May 1963.

He sailed upon HMS Coventry from Portsmouth on November 19th, 1981 for a patrol in the Arabian Gulf. After taking part in a major Mediterranean exercise, and four days before her planned return to Portsmouth, the ship was diverted to the South Atlantic on April 2nd, 1982, within hours of the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands. While on forward radar picket duty about 70 miles south and east of Stanley, on Sunday May 4th, the Type 42 destroyer was struck amidships by an Exocet missile fired from Argentine Naval Super Etendard aircraft. The missile’s warhead failed to explode, but the resulting fires quickly spread, and the ship had to be abandoned.

Andrew was among 20 who died in the attack. Only the body of Petty Officer David Briggs DSM was recovered; the rest lie in the ship, now a registered war grave at the position 53-04’S 56-56’W, where she sank on May 9th, whilst under tow.

Andrew Swallow  was my cousin, I can’t  say I knew him very well, but I remember spending  time with him on three occasions. Firstly at our grand parents in the early 1970’s, another occasion in the Isle of Wight and the third time when he came to stay with us in Lincolnshire, I think 1979. Andrew was a lovely person, friendly and funny and full of life. He is greatly missed by the whole family. 

Mr Hugh Phillips

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]