Captain Keith Paul Mills, DSC (born June 1959) is a British Royal Marines officer who commanded the defence of South Georgia against the 1982 Argentine invasion.
Keith Paul Mills | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 1959 |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal Marines |
| Rank | Captain |
| Commands | Royal Marines detachment, South Georgia |
| Battles / wars | Falklands War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross |
| Other work | Care home management |
Military service
editFalklands War
editEarly on 3 April 1982, Mills received a radio message from HMS Endurance relaying instructions from London that he should make only a token resistance to any Argentine violation of British territory. He allegedly replied "sod that, I'll make their eyes water",[1] a remark that became famous. Mills confirmed in subsequent interviews, that he in fact had never said this. [2]
During the two-hour Battle of Grytviken on 3 April 1982, Lieutenant Mills' detachment of 22 Royal Marines inflicted damage on the Argentine corvette ARA Guerrico, hitting her with an 84mm anti-tank rocket and many rounds of small arms fire, and shot down a Puma helicopter, killing two Argentine Marines and one sailor, while sustaining one wounded on the British side. The losses suffered at Grytviken prevented Argentina from occupying the rest of the island, with 15 Britons remaining outside Argentine control on several locations from Bird Island and Schlieper Bay in the northwest to St. Andrews Bay to the southeast.[3][4]
Later career
editLieutenant Mills and his Marines were treated as heroes in Britain, and he was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross for the defence of South Georgia.[5] He was promoted from acting to substantive lieutenant on 1 September 1982.[6] Mills remained in the Royal Marines after the war, being promoted to captain in 1989[7] and retiring in 1996.[8]
Retirement
editSince retirement Mills has run care homes in the South West of England. In 2012 he was involved in a car crash that killed Richard Sawbridge, a local rugby coach. After a trial at Exeter Crown Court, Mills was cleared of causing death by dangerous driving.[9][10]
His contribution as British commander at the Battle of Grytviken is commemorated in Mills Peak which is named in his honour.
References
edit- ^ de Bruxelles, Simon (24 April 2014). "Falklands hero to sell his medal for bravery". The Times. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ "South Georgia: Royal Marines Fight off an Invasion | TEA & MEDALS" – via YouTube.
- ^ R.K. Headland, The Island of South Georgia, Cambridge University Press, 1984.
- ^ Britain's Small Wars: The Argentine Invasion of South Georgia Archived 14 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "No. 48999". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 June 1982. p. 7422.
- ^ "No. 49122". The London Gazette (Supplement). 27 September 1982. p. 12543.
- ^ "No. 51868". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 September 1989. p. 10462.
- ^ "No. 54467". The London Gazette. 15 July 1996. p. 9577.
- ^ "Sidmouth rugby coach died after businessman crashed on flooded road, court hears". Exeter Express and Echo. 21 October 2013. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
- ^ Evans, Francesca (7 November 2013). "Colyton man not guilty after fatal car accident". View From Publishing. View From Colyton. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
- Mayorga, Horacio y Errecaborge, Jorge "No vencidos", Ed. Planeta