Lt. Colonel Herbert ‘H’ Jones VC

On 28 May 1982, during the Falklands War, he led the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment in an assault on well-defended Argentine positions near Darwin and Goose Green. When his battalion was stalled under heavy fire, Jones personally led a charge against a key enemy trench, showing extraordinary bravery despite being fatally wounded in the attempt. His actions inspired his troops, broke the enemy’s resistance, and led to a decisive British victory with the surrender of 1,200 Argentine soldiers. His leadership set the tone for the remainder of the land campaign.

Extract from The London Gazette

Name:	Lieutenant Colonel Herbert (‘H’) Jones VC OBE
Born:	14 May 1940; Putney, London.
Died:	28 May 1982; Darwin Ridge, East Falklands.
Buried:	Blue Beach War Cemetery, Port San Carlos.
Unit:	2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, 3rd Commando Brigade
Date of Action:	28 May 1982
Place:	Darwin, East Falkland
Rank:	Lieutenant Colonel
Gazetted:	The London Gazette of 11 Oct 1982, Num. 49134, p. 12831
VC No:	1349
Presented:	4 Nov 1982 by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace to his widow, Sara and two sons, David and Rupert
Displayed:	National Army Museum, Chelsea.
References:	[53]
Connection:	Educated at Eton College. Named on the VC/GC Memorial at Eton College.
Awards:	Victoria Cross Order of the British Empire
Notes:	The Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, said “his life was lost, but his death was the turning point in the battle“.

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