'I wondered what it would be like to die'

The internet means the way history is told and recorded is changing.

The diarist or the historian of the past has been transformed into the blogger or wikipedia contributor of the present day and the online world has provided a forum for those who were at the coalface of conflicts such as the Falklands War.

For the 25th anniversary of the Falklands War, we appealed to the public to get in touch with us for their own stories.

As part of our You Saw It Happen strand, we want historical accounts from you, the public.

Edward Denmark's story

"I enlisted into the Royal Artillery and after basic training I was posted to the 12th Air Defence Regiment in Dortmund West Germany. I trained as a Rapier anti-aircraft missile operator. Six Months later the regiment moved to Kirton in Lindsey, Lincolnshire.

"On the 2nd April 1982 I paraded outside the battery offices with my fellow soldiers waiting to be dismissed for Easter leave. Our Battery Commander appeared with a very sombre look on his face and said "Easter leave is cancelled." He then went on to explain about the Argentines invading the Falkland Islands.

"Four days later we were embarked on the troopship Sir Geraint and heading for the Falklands. I really thought there would be a diplomatic solution and we would turn around and head home. Finally, two days out from the Falklands, we were told that we had been given our landing positions. I knew then that there was no turning back.

"I recall with clarity the night we were sailing into San Carlos. I opened one of the hatch doors and peered into the darkness and I could smell the land, the grass.

"We had a church service. I said sorry to the good lord for all the bad things I had done in my 21 years of life. I wrote a final letter home to my family. The order came over the ship's tannoy telling us to begin preparations for landing.

"We began putting on our equipment and checking our weapons. I had my rifle, ammunition, first aid equipment and morphine syrettes, a backpack and two anti-tank rounds.

"It was then I heard the first aircraft coming in and the gunfire of troops firing at them. I felt a sense of panic and shock that I was really living this.

"Just as I got up on deck with the rest of my rapier crew, another air attack came in and we lay there trying to make ourselves smaller in the vain hope it would help. The noise and explosions as the Argentine pilots screamed in at low level was both horrific and totally shocking.

"We boarded a helicopter, leaving our equipment loose in case we were shot down while over the water. Moments later we arrived and I jumped out. Finally my feet were on the Falklands soil.

"Once the rapiers were set up, the Argentines began losing aircraft to our pursuing missiles. T Battery were responsible for downing 14 Argentine jets.

"The air attacks were without doubt very frightening but we gave a good account of ourselves. I have a lot of admiration for the Argentine pilots - they were very brave.

"The Falklands war altered my life forever. The person I was never came back. I see life very differently now and there is not a day goes by were I don't think of the Falklands and the lads who never came back.

"Was it worth it? Yes, despite the loss and misery. They are British subjects who were, and still are, paying British taxes, and they had every right to be defended. However, I have no hatred towards the Argentines - they were sent to the Falklands, just like us."

Michael Murphy's story

Michael Murphy, who served in the Falklands, recalls when an attack was imminent as if it were yesterday.

"The Argentinean aircraft came over the hill tops of San Carlos so low, our ships radar's could not pick them up for land clutter.

The Argentinean pilot headed straight for our ship HMS Antelope. The pilot was so low he could be seen; he released his bomb and I heard the thud as it pierced the metal ship's side.

For what seemed forever, I waited for the blast to come up through the deck below and wondered what it would be like to die.

Then all of a sudden, we all seemed to realise that the bomb had not gone off and that brought an extra energy to the ship's company.

I thought: "You're not going to get me now, you bas***ds."

Stuart Singleton-White's story

Stuart H Singleton-White saw action in San Carlos Water on board HMS Intrepid. He was involved in firefighting and damage control. His email describes how announcements were used to keep crew members informed of developments

"For those of us below decks... this was how we were kept informed of the approach of Argentine aircraft, how close they were, whether we were their target and when to 'hit the deck' when they had loosed them bombs at us.

HMS Intrepid was the first ship into San Carlos Water and stayed there for most of the conflict, often slipping out under the cover of darkness to move SAS troops around the island and then returning before daylight."

Doug Page's story

Meanwhile Doug Page recalls his time on the HMS Hermes when it returned home.

"I was one of the cable party on HMS Hermes and was present when the film of dropping the anchor off the Isle of Wight was filmed the day before we entered Portsmouth to that tremendous welcome.

A lot of us, officer, senior NCOs, ratings, were very apprehensive about our welcome and I always remember Brian Hanrahan saying that we were in for a surprise and he was right!

For about three days before arriving of the Cornish coast and progressing up the channel, we could smell the scent of new mown grass, something that will remain with me, as will the welcome into Pompey, for the rest of my life."

Davy King's story

Davy King, used verse to express his Falklands war-time experiences. He writes:

"Of yore some hearts were in the Highlands
Now ours are in the Falkland Islands
From Britain to those blessed isles
It's more or less 8000 miles
Yet by rights we claim they're ours
Game to the last like the super powers
When diplomatic efforts fail
The senior service must set sail
We mean to prove we can be meaner
Than the macho men of Argentina
Meet force with force or we'll look weak
Only sissies turn the other cheek
If you ask your average punter
He'll say confront the jumped-up Junta
Send a fleet with Union Jack
To seize the damned Malvinas back
The bulldog straining at its chain
Chases an Empire once again
This show of strength for your enjoyment
Made better news than unemployment
Neutral penguins in that stretch of water
Took a dim view of the slaughter
Patriots partial to a fight
Proudly praised the stirring sight
Muchos gauchos mocked 'El Gringo'
But look who won the war by Jingo!

If you saw it happen, we want to hear from you

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