MP Dan Jarvis: Events across the area pay tribute to worthy heroes

THE period of Remembrance is a time of year that is very close to my heart.

I know many will feel the same. The Festival of Remembrance at St Mary’s Church and the Remembrance Sunday service in front of the town hall are just two out of many key events that take place locally.

The reverence shown for those who fell in the service of our country never fails to humble and inspire me.

Here in Barnsley, thousands of people turn out every year rain or shine to pay their respects.

Just as it was after the Armistice of 1918, every community has its own story of loss to tell, including in recent years the terrible loss of Private Matthew Thornton of the Yorkshire Regiment,

Marine David Marsh of The Royal Marines, and Captain Martin Driver of the Royal Anglian Regiment.

Three young men who stepped forward to answer the call – just like their forebears – but didn’t make it back home.

This year’s Remembrance takes place against the backdrop of the 40th anniversary of the Falklands war.

Four decades on, it is our opportunity to pay tribute to those members of our Armed Forces who risked all to liberate the islands from the advances of tyranny and to commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

When I first joined the

Parachute Regiment, a quarter of a century ago, I was keenly aware of those soldiers from my Regiment who went ‘down South’ and served with distinction during the conflict.

The deeds of the Second and Third Battalions of the Parachute Regiment have gone down in the annals of British military history, and are rightly held up as models for future generations to emulate.

I want to pay tribute to someone who is one of the most revered and venerated paratroopers in my regiment’s distinguished history: Sergeant Ian McKay. Ian McKay was born in Wortley and joined the British Army as a fresh-faced 17-year-old recruit in 1970.

In time, he was posted to the

3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, and reached the rank of Platoon Sergeant when the Falklands War began in April 1982.

On the night of 11 and 12 June, during the Battle of Mount Longdon, Sergeant McKay’s heroism was exemplary and outstanding. In the face of overwhelming opposition from the Argentine forces, and with the rest of his platoon having been killed or wounded during the attack, Sergeant McKay without thought for his own safety advanced on the enemy and was successful in relieving two platoons under heavy fire. But at the moment of victory, Sergeant McKay was killed.

There is no doubt that his actions were pivotal to the British victory on Mount Longdon. For his remarkable heroism and valour, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross the highest military decoration available to members of our Armed Forces.

The citation for his Victoria Cross reads:

Without doubt Sergeant McKay’s action retrieved a most dangerous situation and was instrumental in ensuring the success of the attack. His was a coolly calculated act, the dangers of which must have been all too apparent to him beforehand. Undeterred he performed with outstanding selflessness, perseverance and courage.

With a complete disregard for his own safety, he displayed courage and leadership of the highest order, and was an inspiration to all those around him.

It is immensely fitting that Sergeant McKay’s sacrifice is now recorded at Wortley Parish Church. It stands as a permanent reminder of his service and sacrifice.

In this period of Remembrance, let us all honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice and laid down their lives for our country.

In Barnsley we will remember them. We will remember them.