Original Sir Galahad on fire in the Falklands

In order to support the land campaign the British Task Force Commanders decided to open an additional line of advance from Fitzroy on the south side of the East Falkland Island. The main advance would however remain from San Carlos. Two of the landing ships Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram were sent carrying equipment, ammunition and several military units including a large contingent of Welsh Guards. However on 8 June 1982 both vessels were at anchor during daylight in Port Pleasant (Bluff Cove) as off loading had not been completed.

 Both vessels were attacked by five Argentine Air Force A-4 Skyhawk aircraft. Both sustained bomb and strafing hits with Sir Galahad being hit by no less than three bombs. Damage was very high with the explosions and subsequent fire leading to a large loss of life mainly by the Welsh Guards (5 crew, 55 Welsh Guards and many injured). Sir Tristram returned to the UK, was repaired and returned to service. The fires aboard Sir Galahad raged for over a week and with the vessel abandoned, was towed out to sea and sunk by HMS Onyx (S21) on 25 June 1982.  The co-ordinates 052.12.39S 056.45.21W are now a protected area under the Protection of Military Remains Act as a War Grave.

 A decision was made to replace Sir Galahad and in the shipyard of Swan Hunter the new keel was laid on 12 July 1985. Launch was on 13 December 1986 and commissioning was completed on 25 November 1987. The new Sir Galahad with same name and pennant as her predecessor contained two flight decks for helicopters with both bow and stern doors. There is capacity for around 400 troops and 3,440 tonnes of supplies.

Replacement Sir Galahad in Iraq