Michael was the eldest son of David and Elsie and had a brother, Peter.
Michael joined the Royal Marines and became a Jungly, he was affectionately known as ‘Doc’. Doc was a very well-liked young man described as ‘A really genuine person. A man who lived for his loved ones and his profession. A man who will be remembered by all of us here for different reasons, but they are the very best reasons: as the brother everyone wanted and the son every parent would love.’
Doc was serving with 846 Naval Air Squadron in the Falklands in 1982. On the fateful day of his death, it is thought that the Helicopter crash was caused by a Black Browed Albatross, a bird with an eight-foot wingspan. The Sea King Mk 4 of 846 Squadron was moving SAS troops between HMS Hermes and HMS Intrepid. Though the aircraft was a little overloaded the flight was short, and the pilot had adjusted his fuel load to compensate.
The helicopter was already on its decent to HMS Intrepid from 300ft when passengers heard a ‘thump’ in the engine above them. The Sea King dipped and subsequently dived and within seconds had hit the water. The SAS suffered a huge loss that day, Doc was one of the casualties of the crash. Amazingly nine men did survive, able to describe the crash in the aftermath.
Doc was posthumously awarded the DSM for his service his citation reads ‘MONDAY, 11th OCTOBER 1982.
Click HERE to visit the Falklands Memorial. 🇬🇧
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