The Crew of 1982
Foxtrot 4 had been part of HMS Fearless since she was re commissioned in 1981 and her crew was eight men six Royal Marines and two Royal Navy.
Colour Sergeant Brian Johnston QGM
Born: Wednesday, June 9, 1948. Died : Tuesday, June 8, 1982. Age: 33
Rank: Acting Colour Sergeant Unit / Base: HMS Fearless
Corps: Royal Marines. Number: PO23116X
Honours & Awards: Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
IBrian Ronald Johnston was born in Carrickfergus on the 9th of June 1948 and grew up in the large seaside town near Belfast. Brian was to join the Royal Marines as a teenager.
In 1981 Brian would join HMS Fearless as part of her crew as an Acting Colour Sergeant as coxswain of Foxtrot 4 after completing her second deployment and returning from Norway Brian, like many other received orders to return to ship to ready to sail to the Falklands.
MONDAY, 11th OCTOBER 1982
The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to approve the Posthumous award of the Queen’s Gallantry Medal to the undermentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during the operations in the South Atlantic:
Acting Colour Sergeant Brian JOHNSTON, Royal Marines, PO23116X
Colour Sergeant Johnston, coxswain of LCU F4 was working in the vicinity of HMS ANTELOPE when her unexploded bomb detonated, starting an immediate fire which caused her crew, already at emergency stations, to be ordered to abandon ship. Without hesitation Colour Sergeant Johnston laid his craft alongside the ANTELOPE and began to fight the fire and take off survivors. At approximately 2200Z he was ordered to stay clear of the ship because of the severity of the fire and the presence of a second unexploded bomb. Colour Sergeant Johnston remained alongside until his load was complete. In all LCU F4 rescued over 100 survivors from the ANTELOPE.
On 8th June, LCU F4 was attacked by enemy aircraft in Choiseul Sound. During this action Colour Sergeant Johnston and five of his crew were killed.
Colour Sergeant Johnston, coxswain of LCU F4 was working in the vicinity of HMS ANTELOPE when her unexploded bomb detonated, starting an immediate fire which caused her crew, already at emergency stations, to be ordered to abandon ship. Without hesitation Colour Sergeant Johnston laid his craft alongside the ANTELOPE and began to fight the fire and take off survivors. At approximately 2200Z he was ordered to stay clear of the ship because of the severity of the fire and the presence of a second unexploded bomb. Colour Sergeant Johnston remained alongside until his load was complete. In all LCU F4 rescued over 100 survivors from the ANTELOPE.
On 8th June, LCU F4 was attacked by enemy aircraft in Choiseul Sound. During this action Colour Sergeant Johnston and five of his crew were killed.
Colour Sergeant Johnston’s selfless bravery in the face of extreme danger was in the highest traditions of the Corps.
On the 8th of June Foxtrot 4 was tasked to assist 5 Brigade who were to send F4 with vital Land Rovers with specialist Radio Equipment forward from Goose Green to Fitzroy. The crews of the LCU's had demonstrated outstanding pilotage in unchartered waters throughout the Campaign and once again Brian had done so to get to Goose Green.
Foxtrot 4 was attacked and six of her crew killed during that action
In 2022, as part of the 40th Anniversary commemorations, geographical features were identified and named after the fallen of 1982. JOHNSTON ISLET is a small island 400 metres north east of Scott Island, in Choiseul Sound East Falkland.
It is in position
51° 50′ 50.97″ S, 058° 56′ 10.69″ W
Brian was also chosen to have a street named after him at the Mount Pleasant Complex (MPC). MPC is the base for British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI). JOHNSTON ROAD is located at
51° 49′ 43.49″ S, 058° 27′ 44.81″ W
Sergeant Ronald Rotheram
Born: Wednesday, June 9, 1948. Died : Tuesday, June 8, 1982. Age: 33
Rank: Acting Colour Sergeant Unit / Base: HMS Fearless
Corps: Royal Marines. Number: PO23116X
Honours & Awards: Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
Ronald Rotheram was born in Liverpool and joined the Royal Marines in 1969. He completed his training at Lympstone as a Royal Marine Commando and was awarded the Commando Medal. In his service career he served in Northern Ireland, Singapore, Cyprus (with the United Nations), in HMS Nubain, Plymouth and Malta. At the time the Falkland Islands were invaded by Argentine forces on 2nd April 1982, he had just completed his training with the Landing Craft Branch of the Royal Marines at Poole and was due to join HMS Fearless in June. He and his wife, Maureen, had settled in Cerne Abbas with their daughter, Dawn, who was at Shaftesbury High School. He immediately volunteered to go to the Falkland Islands as a relief for another Royal Marine and, according to his wife, his greatest fear was that he might miss the action.
Ron Rotheram who was always nicknamed ‘Scouse’ was attached to HMS Fearless in the crew of Landing Craft Unit (LCU) F4 and was involved in rescuing over 100 survivors on 23rd May from HMS Antelope, which had been hit by two bombs in San Carlos water during and air attack. On the evening of 8th June, the LCU was attacked in Choiseul Sound by 3 Argentine aircraft, while returning to HMS Fearless after transporting troops ashore. The crew, four Royal Marines, including Ronald Rotheram, and two Royal Navy ratings, were all killed. Foxtrot Four was taken in tow but sank before reaching shore. In recognition of their collective bravery in operations around the Falkland Islands the coxswain, Colour Sergeant Johnston, was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal. The citation for the medal records that his bravery in the face of extreme danger was in the highest tradition of the Corps.
Scouse Rotheram is commemorated on a memorial at Bluff Cove in the Falkland Islands, with the others who died on that day.
“Always in our Hearts,” Maureen and Dawn
In 2022, as part of the 40th Anniversary commemorations, geographical features were identified and named after the fallen of 1982. ROTHERAM ISLAND is the larger of two tussac islands joined by a tidal split, west of Big Samual Island in Choiseul Sound, East Falkland.
It is in position
51° 56′ 32.43″ S, 058° 41′ 33.85″ W
Marine John Rundle
Born: Thursday, September 1st 1955. Died : Tuesday, June 8, 1982. Age: 33
Rank: Marine. Unit / Base: HMS Fearless
Corps: Royal Marines. Number: PO23116X
Honours & Awards: Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
Anthony John Rundle was born on the 1st ofSeptember 1955 in Hanover Germany, the eldest son of Tom and Mary Rundle. His father Tom had served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Tom and Mary were originally from Cornwall which was where they were married in 1953, they went on to have a second son and brother to John, Philip.
The family used his second name John and when he joined the Royal Marines he was to gain the nick name Jim, so we believe due to his love of Jimmy Hendrix. Due to his stature, standing over 6 foot and heavy set his love of Rugby was an asset in the Marines.
Jim was at the time of the Falklands in a relationship with Carol who he had met whilst training at Poole. When Jim died they had been together as a couple for two years and Tom and Mary took Carol under their care as they knew how much their son thought of her. Carol travelled with Mary to the Islands a trip that has lasting memories. Carol is also custodian for a bench that Mary donated to the RM at Poole though it is now hard to get access due to the role the camp now has.
I was PO35726L Cpl David Kenwright a serving Royal Marine when the Falklands war broke out. At this time, I was nearing the end of my Junior Command Course at CTCRM Lymstone in Devon. It is probably for this reason I never had to go to the Falklands and being an instructor at Royal Marines Poole meant I was not attached to the Commando Brigade who all took part in the war. What has this to do with Marine Rundle you may ask. Well my wife is a physiotherapist employed at The Countess of Chester Hospital in Chester and we have been married for over twenty-six years. We had not been married long when the Falklands conflict broke out and we were living in a married quarter in Poole in Dorset. My wife Diane came home from work recently and asked did I use to know a Marine called Jim Rundle. I said yes straight away, he was killed in the Falklands war along with several of his comrades on a landing craft hit by a missile fired from an Argentine fighter plane Oh she said. I am looking after his dad in hospital at the moment. He is having a knee replacement and has had his operation and doing really well.
It was only by chance that my wife noticed his accent and said you’re not from these parts are you. No, he replied I’m from Cornwall. My wife said to him I used to live in Dorset with my husband when he was in the Royal Marines. He then told my wife that Jim had also been a Royal Marine and was killed in the Falklands. He said he was very proud of Jim and talks about him and thinks of him all the time. I knew Jim and although his first name was Anthony we all referred to him as Big Jim.
He was a fine big fellow well over 6 ft tall and powerfully built. He was a good rugby player and always had a smile on his face. I knew him to have a laugh and a joke with if I met him ashore, and knew his girlfriend who was devastated when she heard of his death. It seems funny after all this time that I should be compelled to write this little note about Jim. I myself have been fortunate to have been able to have a good life and blessed with good health and helped raise a family. I have been very fortunate and had several rewarding careers in the military, police and most recently as a youth worker. Big Jim was a good man and very good at his job. I hope he Johno, Scouse and all rest the rest of the Booties and serviceman killed in action all rest in peace. They will never be forgotten by their old mates and comrades.
(Once a Marine Always a Marine)
Dave Kenwright
In 2022, as part of the 40th Anniversary commemorations, geographical features were identified and named after the fallen of 1982. RUNDLE ROCKS is a prominent rock outcrop north of Princess Street stone run, East Falkland.
It is in position
51° 36′ 23.01″ S, 058° 06′ 29.23″ W
Marine Robert Griffin
Born: Thursday, September 1st 1960. Died : Tuesday, June 8, 1982. Age: 33
Rank: Marine. Unit / Base: HMS Fearless
Corps: Royal Marines. Number: PO23116X
Honours & Awards: Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM)
Robert Donald Griffin was born in Southampton in 1960 to Pamela and Don Griffin who had three more children: Mandy born 1962, Joanne born 1964, and Lee born 1971. Don, the father, served in the Royal Navy and was involved in the Korean war at the age of only sixteen.
Robert attended King Edward school in Sheffield and it was during this time he became an enthusiastic member of the Sea Cadets serving as a Drum Major. He attended the Indefatigable Anglesea, again attaining the position of Drum Major.
He applied to join the Royal Marines, working only a short time before being called up for training. Robert successfully completed training at Lympstone and the whole family proudly attended his passing out parade.
Robert made many friends in the Marines many of whom keep in touch with the family. He served in various countries including Norway and Northern Ireland and was returning home from the West Indies when he was told his unit would be going to the Falklands.
Robert served aboard HMS Fearless and was ferrying troops ashore on landing craft Foxtrot Four on June 8th when it was attacked by an Argentine aircraft. A bomb struck Foxtrot Four killing Robert and five colleagues and wounding other members of the crew. The landing craft was taken in tow but sank before reaching shore.
Robert is therefore buried at sea.
In 2022, as part of the 40th Anniversary commemorations, geographical features were identified and named after the fallen of 1982. GRIFFIN ISLET is a Tussac Island east of Middle Island in Choiseul Sound, East Falkland.
It is in position
51° 57′ 01.23″ S, 058° 26′ 51.38″ W
MEA(P)1 Alexander James RN
Born: Thursday, November 23rd 1949. Died : Tuesday, June 8, 1982. Age: 33
Rank: Marine Engineering Artificer (Propulsion). Unit / Base: HMS Fearless
Service: Royal Navy. Number: PO23116X
Alexander Stuart James was born in Exmouth, Devon on the 23rd of November 1949, the son of William Henry and Jean Stuart James (nee McGahey), who were married in Partick, Scotland, in 1947. The parents moved to Exmouth soon after being married where Alexander was born. One further addition would be a sister Anne.
Alexander spent his early years going to school at Exeter Road Infants and Junior School, then on to Exmouth Secondary School for Boys. Alex gained some experience of what was to be his chosen profession when he joined the sea Cadets when he was around 11 years old.
Alex joined the Royal Navy where he became known affectionately as Jesse. He married his wife Yvonne in Portsmouth in 1973 and the couple had three children, two girls and one boy.
His service career was rewarding as by 1982 he had attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer and was serving aboard HMS Fearless. He is known to have had a great love for Rugby and was known as a Gentle Giant.
I served with Jesse, as he was affectionately known, in the same mess on HMS Fearless and his loss was an immensely sad event to all of us who knew him. He was a great character who loved his rugby; somewhat of a gentle giant. There were others on board who had known him a lot longer than me and hopefully, at some time in the future, someone can give him a greater epitaph than I ever can. RIP shipmate!
Chris Arundell – ex MEA(L)
In 2022, as part of the 40th Anniversary commemorations, geographical features were identified and named after the fallen of 1982. JAMES BAY is situated north of Saturday Island near the head of Adventure Sound, East Falkland.
It is in position
52° 01′ 20.17″ S, 059° 04′ 57.12″ W
AI/MEM David Miller RN
Born: Thursday, December 31st 1959. Died : Tuesday, June 8, 1982. Age: 33
Rank: Acting Leading Marine Engineering Mechanic (Mechanical).
Unit / Base: HMS Fearless Service: Royal Navy. Number: PO23116X
David Miller was born in Thornaby on the 31st December 1959. He was the second child, of which his sister was older than he was, then along came his brother in 1961. He was a son who we were very proud of.
He joined the Stockton Sea Cadets T.S. Fortitude when he was 13 years old. David was a model cadet, winning the trophy for Sea Cadet of The Year every year until he joined up when he was 16 years old on the 8th June 1976.
When he left the Sea Cadets and the Royal Navy he had just been made up to Petty Officer.
His first ship was H.M.S. Fearless, then he was on The Ark Royal in 1978. His brother was also on the ship. His last ship was H.M.S. Fearless.
David joined the Royal Navy on 8th June 1976 and was killed in the Falklands on the 8th June 1982.
My nephew David was a very lovable person and he is sadly missed but there are family and friends looking after him. God Bless David.
David’s Auntie Marion
I would like to give you some information about Dusty Miller. I served with Dusty on HMS Ark Royal. He was the stoker on the Fearless landing craft and he was killed when it was bombed. That landing craft came alongside the Antelope when we were bombed and rescued us, along with the rest of the crew they put themselves in danger to get us off. Once we were on HMS Fearless, Dusty made sure another ex-shipmate and I were ok and gave us more clothing as we only had the overalls we were dressed in, he also gave us some cash to keep us going. It was with extreme shock that while I was on survivors leave I learnt of not only his death but the rest of the landing craft’s crew, and that moment I read it in the Daily Mail will live with me for the rest of my life. Long may he rest in peace, and I will never forget how he looked after both MEM Phil Philips and me.
LMEM (M)Simon Bloomfield HMS Antelope
In 2022, as part of the 40th Anniversary commemorations, geographical features were identified and named after the fallen of 1982. MILLER ISLET is a tussac island lying east of Big Samuel Island, in Choiseul Sound. Previously referred to as Big Samuel East islet.
It is in position
51° 56′ 28.60″ S, 058° 38′ 09.27″ W
We must never forget the two crew who survived Marine Quigley and Marine Cruden as well as those who were being transported that day who did all they could for those on board.