in

Meet Simon Weston | The Hero of Falkland War

Source by gettyimages & Canva

Who is Simon Weston?

Who is Simon Weston
Source by gettyimages

Born on August 8, 1961, Simon Weston CBE is a Welsh veteran of the British Army who gained notoriety for his charitable endeavours and his ability to recuperate from severe burn injuries sustained during the Falklands War. Weston was born at the Caerphilly District Miners Hospital. Pauline, his birth mother, and “Lofty,” his adoptive father, raised him. Along with his mother, his real father David Weston was a member of the Royal Air Force.

Royal Air Force
Source by Twitter

When Simon was about six or seven years old, he moved back to Nelson after living in Singapore and at the RAF Hospital Nocton Hall in Lincolnshire. He has three stepbrothers and one older sister, Helen. When Weston was discovered at the age of 14 riding along in a car that his older companions had stolen, the police issued him a warning.

At 16, he enlisted in the Welsh Guards in 1978 at his mother’s insistence after he “got into bother.”Before being sent to the Falkland Islands, he served in Berlin, Kenya, and Northern Ireland.

Falkland War 

Along with other members of his regiment, Weston sailed in RFA Sir Galahad on June 8, 1982, from Port Pleasant, near Fitzroy, near the Falkland Islands. During the Bluff Cove Air Attacks, Argentine Skyhawk fighters bombed and set fire to Sir Galahad. The ship was carrying thousands of litres of diesel and petrol, along with phosphorous bombs and weapons. Twenty-two of the thirty soldiers in his platoon were dead. There were 48 troops killed and 97 wounded for the Welsh Guards.

Recovery

Simon Weston underwent more than 96 major surgeries during his years of reconstructive surgery. His eyelids were made from skin taken from his shoulders, and skin grafts were used to mend the contractions in his nose. Admitting to “terrible” behaviour during this period, he suffered from psychological anguish, drinking excessively, and developing suicide thoughts. He attributes his success to his mother, especially for bringing him back to his former regiment. His mother, along with Glen White, the rugby team captain of the Welsh Guards, refused to give in to his demands, forcing him to “face up to the unavoidable and to be positive about everything including especially my future.”

Personal life

Simon Weston wife
Source by gettyimages

James, Stuart, and Caitlin are Weston’s three children from his marriage to Lucy. She was employed for his charity, Simon Weston Spirit, when they first met in Liverpool. On June 8, 1989, precisely seven years after the attack on the Sir Galahad, they got into combat. They were wed on May 12, 1990, and are currently Cardiff residents. After years of estrangement, Simon’s biological father, David Weston, was found guilty in April 1992 of having unlawfully obtained pictures of young girls. David Weston was found guilty again of abusing juveniles and sentenced to prison in May 1994.

First Lieutenant Carlos Cachon, the Argentine pilot who dropped the bomb that injured Weston, is now a friend of Weston’s. Families of those who fought in the Falklands War attacked him for this, a criticism he waved off by adding, “I don’t mind if other people criticise me for things I do as long as they understand why I did them.” I therefore have no issue walking away and telling them that they are free to hold their own ideas.”

Charity work

At the request of the Guards Association of Australasia, Weston made his first goodwill tour to Australia in 1986. He started to feel useful again when the donations to children’s burn units came in. Weston started to fund several groups that assist those who are disfigured. He serves as the Lead Ambassador for The Scar Free Foundation, a medical research nonprofit that provides funding for studies on healing without scarring. Along with Paul Oginsky and Ben Harrison, he also founded the national youth charity Weston Spirit in 1988, not long after relocating to Liverpool. But the organisation had to close its doors in 2008 due to financial troubles.

Additionally, Weston supports the LMS-Patriot Project. The Unknown Warrior, number 5551, is a new replica LMS Patriot Class steam locomotive that the Project is building. He introduced the new locomotive crest, which will be displayed above the nameplates, at a ceremony held at the Crewe Heritage Centre on November 10, 2018. The former crest, the Royal British Legion crest, was later requested to be removed off the engine.

Awards

Simon Weston Awards
Source by gettyimages

Simon Weston was awarded the South Atlantic Medal with rosette and the General Service Medal with “Northern Ireland” clasp for his military service. Numerous times, his bravery and charitable efforts have been acknowledged and rewarded. In recognition of his charitable contributions, he was named Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2016 New Year’s Honours and Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1992 Birthday Honours. He received the Freedom of the City of Liverpool in 2002. He was listed as one of the top 100 Welsh heroes in 2004. He was appointed an Honorary Fellow of Cardiff University in 2005.

In 2008, Heriot-Watt University awarded him an honorary doctorate. Michael accepted the position of President Elect of the Welsh Scout Council in September 2009, and on October 31, at the Council’s annual general meeting in Llandrindod Wells, he was formally introduced.

What do you think?

Written by Zane Michalle

Zane is a Viral Content Creator at UK Journal. She was previously working for Net worth and was a photojournalist at Mee Miya Productions.

Leave a Reply

GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings

Solar Water Features

Solar Water Features Point Attention to Ecological Garden Design

Soap2day | Watch Free Movies With Legal Streaming Option!

Soap2day Blues? Explore Safe & Legal Streaming Options!