Themes

Article highlights

• The career of a Falklands veteran

• Early career

• '42 Commando to the South Atlantic - Quick March'

• The 'Great White Whale'

• Taking Mount Kent

• The attack on Mount Harriet

• Post Falklands career

'42 Commando, to the South Atlantic - Quick March'

When the Argentineans invaded South Georgia and the Falkland Islands in March 1982 Vaux was a Lieutenant Colonel, and the Commanding Officer of 42 Commando.

The Commando, who were based in Bickleigh, Devon, had just returned from Arctic Warfare Training in Norway and had begun their three week annual leave.

At 0400 on the 2 April the Director of Logistics and Administration of Commando Forces called Vaux and informed him that an Argentine invasion was expected and that his unit were being recalled.

Vaux himself was preparing to fly out to America on holiday and many of his men were abroad; some had even planned to get married whilst on leave.

Almost every member of the unit had returned for duty within three days. The unit had to hurriedly unpack from their exercises in Norway and repack in preparation to fight in the Falklands.

Major-General Jeremy Moore inspected 42 before they left. At the end of the inspection Vaux gave the now famous order '42 Commando, to the South Atlantic - Quick March'.

Vaux's commando unit was one of three - 40, 42 and 45 - which formed 3 Commando Brigade. The Brigade sailed with the Task Force that would engage the Argentinean Navy and Air Force, and retake the islands by an amphibious attack.

The Royal Marines Commando Units were perfect for this type of operation and had been training in amphibious operations since they were created in World War Two.