Obituary for BUNKER, Paul

BB003g1.jpg - Paul Bunker * 25th. January 1954 - †19th. May 1982 Obituary Notice, extracted from the RAOC Corps Gazette, entry 198207-056 Any details, memories or photographs that you may have would be most welcome.

BB003p1.jpg - Paul Bunker The photo is lifted from the illustrations pages from a book entitled "Biting the Bullet - Married to the SAS" by Jenny Simpson. Click here to see a PDF-Extract of the book. Any details, memories or photographs that you may have would be most welcome.

RAOC.gif - Paul Bunker * 25th. January 1954 - †19th. May 1982 RAOC Junior Leader 1969 - 1971 Paul joined 22 SAS in August 1976 (having enlisted in the Junior Leaders Battalion RAOC some seven years earlier) and was posted to 16 (Air) Troop. He joined 19 (Mountain) Troop in May 1979 and served tours in Northern Ireland, West Virginia, Florida, Bavaria and the Falklands. “Having survived a helicopter crash in appalling weather conditions on the Fortuna Glacier in South Georgia, two days later Corporal Paul Bunker and his Troop, led the advance elements of the forces which captured the main enemy positions in Grytviken. This action resulted in the total surrender of all enemy forces in South Georgia. " “Ten days later, Cpl Paul Bunker’s Troop, successful and brilliantly executed raid on Pebble Island in the Falklands Islands when eleven enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground. Acting quickly and decisively and with great courage and coolness, he was personally involved in the destruction of seven of the eleven aircraft. " “Corporal Paul A. Bunker of 22nd SAS was one of twenty brave men, who lost their lives as a result of the tragic Sea King helicopter crash, whilst transferring between the carrier HMS Hermes to the assault ship HMS Intrepid, on the 19th of May 1982. REST IN PEACE Any details, memories or photographs that you may have would be most welcome.

sas-1.jpg - Paul Bunker FALKLANDS WAR ROLL OF HONOUR 22nd Special Air Service Regiment 19 May 1982 24145047 Corporal Paul A. Bunker, of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, D Squadron, Age 28 Any details, memories or photographs that you may have would be most welcome.

sas-2.jpg - Paul Bunker 22 SPECIAL AIR SERVICE FALKLANDS HONOURS LIST 1982 Distinguished Service Order Major Cedric Norman George Delves, The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment. Officer Commanding (OC) D Squadron " Following the successful establishment of the beachhead at San Carlos Water, Major Delves took his SAS Squadron 40 miles behind the enemy lines and established a position overlooking the main enemy stronghold in Port Stanley where at least 7000 troops were known to be based. By a series of swift operations, skilful concealment and lightning attacks against patrols sent out to find him; he was able to secure a sufficiently firm hold on the area after ten days for the conventional forces to be brought in.” Military Cross, Posthumous Captain Gavin John Hamilton, The Green Howard’s (Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment). OC 19(Mountain) Troop, D Squadron “Between 19th April and 10th June, when he was killed in action, Captain Hamilton and his SAS Troop were responsible for some of the most successful SAS operations carried out in the campaign in the South Atlantic." “Having survived two helicopter crashes in appalling weather conditions on the Fortuna Glacier in South Georgia, two days later Captain Hamilton led the advance elements of the forces which captured the main enemy positions in Grytviken. This action resulted in the total surrender of all enemy forces in South Georgia. " “Ten days later, Captain Hamilton led his troop on the successful and brilliantly executed raid on Pebble Island in the Falklands Islands when eleven enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground. Acting quickly and decisively and with great courage and coolness, he personally supervised the destruction of seven of the aircraft. " “Later, even though his Troop had lost half its strength in a helicopter crash the previous day, Captain Hamilton led the remainder of his men on highly successful diversionary raid on Darwin in order to cover the main amphibious landings on East Falkland. That he was able to do this after such losses is an immense testimony to his resilience and leadership qualities. " “Next, Captain Hamilton deployed with his Squadron to a position 40 miles behind the enemy lines overlooking the main enemy defensive positions in Port Stanley. Again, his leadership and courage proved instrumental over seven days of continuous operations in seizing this vital ground from which the attack on Port Stanley was ultimately launched. On 27 May he identified an enemy probe into the squadron position and in the ensuing battle captured a prisoner of war. The next night he and his troop successfully held of another enemy attack and by doing so enabled 42 Commando Royal Marines to fly in as planned to reinforce the position on 31 May, an important step in the repossession of the Falklands. On the following day he ambushed another enemy patrol, wounding three and capturing all five members of the patrol Any details, memories or photographs that you may have would be most welcome.

sas-4.jpg - Paul Bunker 22 SPECIAL AIR SERVICE 22nd Special Air Service Regiment and attached personnel 24145047 Corporal Paul A. Bunker, of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, D Squadron, Age 28 Paul joined 22 SAS in August 1976 (having joined the Junior Leaders Battalion RAOC some seven years earlier) and was posted to 16(Air) Troop. He joined 19(Mountain) Troop in May 1979 and served in Northern Ireland, West Virginia, Florida, Bavaria and the Falklands. He was one of twenty brave men who lost their lives in the tragic Sea King helicopter crash, whilst transferring between HMS Hermes to the assault ship HMS Intrepid, on the 19th of May 1982. Paul had been involved in the raids on Fortuna Glacier in South Georgia, in the Grytviken and Pebble Island where they successfully blew up twenty Argentine Fighter aircraft Corporal Edward Thomas Walpole, The Royal Green Jackets, D Squadron, Age 36 Wally joined 22SAS in 1977 and was Storemen and Squadron Quartermaster-Sergeant's Assistant until his death in the helicopter crash. Trooper Raymond Ernest Armstrong, The Royal Green Jackets, D Squadron, Age 24 Paddy joined 22SAS in 1979 and served with 19 Troop. Warrant Officer Class 2 Malcolm Atkinson, Special Air Service Regiment. Squadron Sergeant Major, G Squadron, Age 36 " Akker" joined G Squadron on its formation in 1967, having served previously with the Grenadier Guards and No.1 (Guards) Independent Company. His career spanned 12 operational tours in Malaysia, Borneo, Aden, Oman and Northern Ireland. Staff Sergeant P. O'Connor, Irish Guards, G Squadron Paddy came to 22SAS in 1966. He served in South Arabia (Aden), Belize, Northern Ireland, Dhofar, Norway and the United States. A specialist Signaller, free-fall parachutist and Norwegian linguist, he was recalled from the US to serve in the Falklands because of his training in the use of the Stinger surface-to-air missile. Unfortunately he was killed in the helicopter crash, shortly after he had parachuted into the South Atlantic to join the task force. Sergeant William John Hughes, Welsh Guards, G Squadron, Age 34 "Taff" joined 22SAS in October 1972. In 1975 he became Storemen of G Squadron and completed 12 squadron moves on operational or training tasks. He was once again supervising the movement of the Squadron Stores when he died. Corporal William Clark Hatton, QGM, Special Air Service Regiment, G Squadron, Age 31 Willy was a former Royal Marine who then became a civilian diver. Returning to military life, he joined 22SAS in July 1978 and was a member of 23(Boat) Troop. He was the regiment's first fully qualified diving supervisor and was one of two SAS men attached to 2 Special Boat Section at the beginning of the Falklands campaign, when they captured the Argentine "spyship" Narwhal. Sergeant P. Jones, Welsh Guards, G Squadron, Age 28 "Taff " joined 22SAS in 1975, from the disbanded No. 1 (Guards) Independent Company, The Parachute Regiment. He was a former regimental rugby player and a member of 23(Boat) Troop. Corporal William John Begley, Royal Corps of Transport, Age 32 Bill joined 22SAS in 1978 in a support role, but soon opted to try the Selection Course, which he passed in August 1979.. To be continued on next page ......... Any details, memories or photographs that you may have would be most welcome.

sas-5.jpg - Paul Bunker 22 SPECIAL AIR SERVICE SABRE SQUADRONS The four " Sabre " or combat squadrons are the operational element of the 22 SAS. A squadron is the largest force which will normally conduct a single operation, though squadron-strength operations are less common than those of troop or patrol size, or combinations thereof. However operations of smaller size will usually report back to a squadron headquarters. The squadron HQ could run the forward mounting base or it could directly command troops in the field, as happened on occasion in the Falklands and Gulf Wars. If more than one squadron is "in-theatre" a regimental tactical headquarters will be deployed to take command. Sometimes even if a squadron or less is involved, the CO of the regiment will be present. Squadron commanders are usually the highest-ranking SAS members to take part in actual operations. A full-strength squadron would have six officers and seventy-eight other ranks, divided into a headquarters and four troops. The Officer Commanding (OC) is a major, with a captain as his Second In Command (2IC) and operations officer. Also in the HQ are the Squadron Sergeant Major (SSM), a warrant officer class 2, the Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant (SQMS), a staff sergeant, and a few clerks, storemen and armourers. On operations a troop from 264 (SAS) Signal Squadron will be attached- these men are responsible for both forward and rearward communications i.e. to higher headquarters and operators in the field. Each of the operational troops, whether it specializes in mountain warfare, boating and diving, free-fall parachuting or vehicles, is authorised a captain and fifteen other ranks, further split into four 4-man patrols. In practice a squadron is almost never up to strength. Because of the shortage of " badged " officers the SSM, who will have ten to fifteen years of SAS experience, will often act as 2IC. Many troops do not have officers and in these cases a staff sergeant, otherwise the troop 2IC, will be in command. A troop may only have about twelve operators. Sabre squadrons rotate between different types of duty in peacetime, usually every six months. These include squadron training in the UK or overseas, especially in the United States, Middle East and Brunei; team tasks, in which a squadron will send training teams to friendly countries; " strip alert " duty, ready for deployment anywhere in the world on very short notice; and counter-terrorist duty, during which a squadron will come under the direction of the regiment's Counter Revolutionary Warfare (CRW) Wing. There is also the commitment to provide a troop for duty in Northern Ireland, as part of the Intelligence & Security Group, which also includes the former 14 Intelligence Company, now apparently known as the Army Surveillance Unit. Of course the key too much of the SAS's success is flexibility and SAS operators will be found in other places too. Some men may be detached for further training, for example on one of the heavy weapons courses conducted by the Infantry Training Centre, Warminster. Others will be on exchange duty with allied Special Forces, especially those of the US, Australia and New Zealand. Active A Squadron Troops: 1(Boat), 2(Air), 3(Mobility), 4(Mountain) Formed: from local British Army volunteers in Malaya, 1950 Active service: Malaya 1950-58; Oman, Jan-Feb 1959; first squadron in Borneo, Jan-April 1963; first squadron in Aden/Radfan, April-May 1964; thereafter served in Aden, like other squadrons, for a few weeks at a time during retraining during Borneo tours; Borneo June-Oct 1964 and May-Oct 1965; Oman 1970-76, on four-month tours as part of British Army Training Team (BATT); Northern Ireland since 1976; Gulf 1990-91, provided two half-squadron motorised raiding groups for work behind Iraqi lines. B Squadron Troops: 6(Boat), 7(Air), 8(Mobility), 9(Mountain) Formed: from volunteers from 21SAS and other ex-SAS reservists who agreed to return to regular service for three years, Malaya 1950. Active service: Malaya 1950-59; disbanded 1959; reformed for service in Borneo, 1963; Borneo Nov 1964-Feb 1965 and Nov 1965-Feb 1966; Aden at various times, including providing teams for undercover work in the city itself; Radfan 1966; Oman(Musandam Peninsula) 1970, including first operational free-fall jump by 22SAS; Oman(Dhofar) 1970-76; Battle of Mirbat, 18 July 1972; like other squadrons did several four-month tours; Prince's Gate, London, 5 May 1980 (Operation Nimrod); Falklands War 1982- proposed operations at Port Stanley and on Argentine mainland cancelled; Gulf 1991, provided three road watch patrols, including Bravo Two Zero; also provided reinforcements to A and D Squadrons. D Squadron Troops: 16(Air), 17(Boat), 18(Mobility), 19(Mountain) Formed: Malaya, 1951 Active service: Malaya 1951-58; Oman(Jebel Akhdar) Nov 1958-Feb 1959; Borneo April-Aug 1963, Dec 1963-April 1964, Feb-May 1965, July-Sept 1966; Aden at various times in between Borneo tours; Northern Ireland as a rifle company, Sept-Nov 1969; Oman 1971-76, four-month tours; provided first troop for patrol/ambush work in Northern Ireland, Jan 1976; Falklands War 1982- formed a squadron-strength strike force; part of task force to retake South Georgia (Operation Paraquat), late April; Pebble Island raid (Operation Prelim), 13 May; Darwin/Goose Green raid on night of main landings, 21 May; seizure of Mount Kent area, 24 May-1 June; later relieved some G Squadron patrols; two troops on raid on seaward side of Wireless Ridge, 13/14 June; Gulf 1990-91, operated as a motorised raiding force behind Iraqi lines, Feb-April, troops coming together for certain operations. G Squadron Troops: 21(Mobility), 22(Mountain), 23(Boat), 24(Air) Formed: from a troop-sized cadre from the Guards Independent Parachute Company, Jan 1967. Active service: Oman 1970-76, including the Battle of Mirbat, one of the few times when two SAS squadrons were present in Dhofar; Northern Ireland from 1976; Falklands War 1982, ten 4-man patrols inserted on East and West Falkland from 10 May; one troop on Wireless Ridge raid; Gulf 1990, first squadron deployed, but later returned to UK to take over CRW duties. Note: although originally meant to be a Guards squadron, it is rare for over half of the men to be volunteers from the Household Cavalry and the five regiments of Foot Guards; however most of the officers have been from these units. Defunct C Squadron Formed: from100 Rhodesian soldiers, originally known as Far East Volunteer Unit, Southern Rhodesia, 1950 Active service: Malaya 1951-53; disbanded on return to Southern Rhodesia; reformed 1961 and participated in several exercises in the Middle East, 1962-63; became C Unilateral Declaration of Independence by Rhodesia, 1965; participated in the Zimbabwe/Rhodesia civil war, 1966-1980, especially external operations in Zambia and Mozambique; expanded to become 1st SAS Regiment in 1978; disbanded 1980 Any details, memories or photographs that you may have would be most welcome.

sas-6.jpg - Paul Bunker 22 SPECIAL AIR SERVICE 22nd Special Air Service Regiment and attached personnel Corporal John Newton, Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Age 22 John joined 22SAS as armourers in 1980. He was a keen sportsman and had just qualified as a Parachutist before the Falklands War. Corporal Robert A. Burns, Royal Corps of Signals, 264 (SAS) Signal Squadron, Age 22 Rab passed the Signals Selection Course in March 1979 and was then part of the group of signalers attached to G Squadron. Corporal S. N. J. Sykes, Royal Corps of Signals, 264 (SAS) Signal Squadron, Age 25 Steve passed Signals selection in February 1978, after serving with 604 Signal Troop in Germany. He was attached to G Squadron and had recently qualified as a Radio Telegraphist A1. Lance Corporal Paul N. Lightfoot, Royal Corps of Signals, 264 (SAS) Signal Squadron, Age 21 Paul joined the Signal Squadron from 11 Signal Regiment in October 1979. Before the war he had been training for SAS Selection and was attached to G Squadron. Corporal Michael J. McHugh, Royal Corps of Signals, 264 (SAS) Signal Squadron, Age 22 Michael passed the Signals Selection Course in June 1978, having served with 8 Signal Regiment at Catterick. From then until his death he was attached to G Squadron. Flight Lieutenant Garth Hawkins, Royal Air Force, 603 Tactical Air Control Party, Age 39 Garth first worked with 22 SAS in Canada in 1979. By 1982 he had worked with all the Sabre Squadrons and the TA regiments too. An expert in his field, he had bought a pub and was about to return to civilian life when the Falklands War began. Corporal Douglas McCormack, Royal Corps of Signals, 603 Tactical Air Control Party, Age 26 Doug was Garth Hawkins' signaller and partner and the two were an inseparable team. His aim was to join 264 Signal Squadron and then the regiment itself; sadly he died alongside members of both. 10 June 1982 Captain Gavin John Hamilton, MC, The Green Howards D Squadron, Age 29 John joined 22SAS in January 1981. From then until his death he commanded 19(Mountain) Troop. Any details, memories or photographs that you may have would be most welcome.

sas-7.jpg - Any details, memories or photographs that you may have would be most welcome.

Paul Bunker

22 SPECIAL AIR SERVICE
22nd Special Air Service Regiment and attached personnel

19 May 1982

Warrant Officer Class 2 Lawrence Gallagher, BEM, Special Air Service Regiment, Squadron Sergeant Major, D Squadron, Age 37

"Lofty" joined 22SAS from 9 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers in January 1968, serving with 17(Boat) Troop. In the early 1970s he was detached to the 10th Special Forces Group at Bad Tolz. He was one of the twenty men from the SAS and attached arms who died in the tragic helicopter crash while moving from Hermes to the assault ship Intrepid.

Staff Sergeant Philip Preston Currass, QGM, Royal Army Medical Corps, D Squadron, Age 34

Phil joined 22SAS in 1972. He served with 19(Mountain) Troop until his death, completing several operational tours in Dhofar( Oman), and in Northern Ireland.

Sergeant Sidney Albert Ivor Davidson, Special Air Service Regiment, D Squadron, Age 34

Sid joined 22SAS in 1973. Serving first with B Squadron, he transferred to D in 1975, becoming a member of 17(Boat) Troop. He was a canoeing instructor and served in both Dhofar and Northern Ireland. Later he joined 19 Troop.

Sergeant John Leslie Arthy, Welsh Guards, D Squadron, Age 27

"Lofty" came to the regiment in 1975 and joined 18(Mobility) Troop. In 1977 he transferred to 19(Mountain) Troop and was regarded as one of the regiment's best climbers. He had completed the German Alpine Guides' course and climbed in Nepal and China.

To be continued on next page .........

Any details, memories or photographs that you may have would be most welcome.