SOLDIERS serving on the Falklands Islands today remembered an SAS officer who was killed in the conflict 26 years ago.

Captain John Hamilton, 29, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, was killed while on reconnaissance after leading his men on successful raids against the enemy.

He was awarded the Military Cross for his actions.

The married officer was formerly with the Green Howards Regiment, and a contingent of ten men from the 2nd Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) visited his remote hillside grave for a remembrance service.

He was killed at Packes Ridge near Port Howard and he was one of just 26 people to be buried in the tiny settlement's cemetery.

The soldiers who paid their respects were currently stationed on the Falklands, coming to the end of a six-week tour.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "Capt Hamilton had served in Cyprus, Belize and South Armagh before deploying to the South Atlantic in 1982.

"He survived two helicopter crashes before leading the advance elements that captured Argentine positions in Grytviken, which resulted in the enemy surrender in South Georgia.

"Ten days later, he led his troop on the successful and brilliantly executed raid on Pebble Island in the Falklands.

"He was killed while carrying out reconnaissance of enemy positions at Port Howard."