Killyleagh set to pay tribute to Falklands hero

Killyleagh set to pay tribute to Falklands hero

18 May 2022

KILLYLEAGH is to pay tribute to its Falklands War hero, James Hughes, on the 40th anniversary of the war and his death.

James died when his ship, the Atlantic Conveyor, was hit by an Argentine Exocet missile on May 25, 1982.

He was aged 47 and was a Merchant Navy engineer on board when the ill-fated task force supply ship was hit.

On the anniversary of his death, and with the support of his family in Killyleagh, the Killyleagh Remembers the Wars, the Sloane history group and Killyleagh Royal British Legion will hold a short act of remembrance at the War Memorial at 11am next Wednesday.

His sister, Janet, will lay a special Falklands anniversary wreath, while the Royal British Legion wreath will be laid by branch chairman Billy Croskery.

The service will be conducted by the Rev Colin Darling, rector of St John’s Church of Ireland, Killyleagh, where the Hughes family worship and where James’ mother and brother are buried.

Jim Hughes is still remembered in the Killyleagh area. His first love was always the sea.

He joined the Royal Navy when he was 18 and served for more than 14 years before leaving on attaining the rank of petty officer.

He served on the Ark Royal and QE2 before spending seven years in the Merchant Navy.