Gavin Hamilton (British Army officer)

Captain Gavin John Hamilton, MC (15 May 1953 – 10 June 1982)^[1] was a British Army officer. He was the Officer Commanding 19 (Mountain) Troop, D Squadron, 22 Special Air Service (SAS) during the Falklands War when he was killed while behind enemy lines on West Falkland. Hamilton was a Green Howards officer before passing SAS selection and being attached to 22 SAS.^[2] He was the first posthumous recipient of the Military Cross and the only such recipient until the War in Afghanistan nearly twenty years later.

Before the Falklands, Hamilton had served in Cyprus, Belize, and South Armagh in Northern Ireland.^[3]

Falklands War

South Georgia and Pebble Island

Having survived two helicopter crashes in appalling weather conditions on the Fortuna Glacier in South Georgia during Operation Paraquet, two days later Captain Hamilton led the advance elements of the forces which captured the main Argentine positions in Grytviken. This action resulted in the total surrender of all enemy forces in South Georgia.

A short while later, Captain Hamilton led his troop into the raid on Pebble Island which resulted in the destruction of eleven grounded FMA IA 58 Pucará and T-34 Mentor enemy aircraft.

Observation on Stanley

Once British ground forces had landed at San Carlos, Hamilton deployed with his Squadron 40 miles behind the enemy lines to observe the main enemy defensive positions in Port Stanley. Again, his leadership and courage proved instrumental over seven days of continuous operations in seizing this vital ground from which the attack on Port Stanley was ultimately launched. On 27 May he identified an Argentine probe into the squadron position and in the ensuing battle captured a prisoner of war. The next night he and his troop held off another enemy attack and by doing so enabled 42 Commando Royal Marines to fly in as planned to reinforce the position on 31 May, an important step in the repossession of the Falklands. On the following day his troop ambushed another Argentinian patrol, capturing all five members of it, three of whom were wounded.

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 at Port Howard. He established himself in an observation post only 2500 metres from the Argentine positions, from which he sent detailed and accurate reports on the enemy position and activities. Shortly after dawn on 10 June he realised that he and a radio operator had been surrounded in a forward position. Although heavily outnumbered by troops of the 1st Section 601 Commando Company, and with no reinforcements available to call upon for assistance, Hamilton ordered an engagement of the enemy force, instructing the signaller with him 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 a fire fight in order to cover the signaller's withdrawal first. After the resulting exchange of fire Hamilton was wounded in the back and it became clear to the signaller that Hamilton was only able to move with difficulty. Nevertheless, he instructed the radio-operator that he would continue to hold off the Argentinians to cover his escape, which he then did. Shortly after this he was killed.^[4][5]

Hamilton was buried with full military honours by the Argentinians. 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.^[6] Hamilton was posthumously awarded the Military Cross. Some think he should have been given a Victoria Cross. But because no superior officer was present during this action no VC was awarded.^[7]

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'.^[8]

Hamilton was buried at the small cemetery in Port Howard.^[3]

References