Who was the last man to get a VC

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Q.� Why the doubt

A. �Col Jones won his Victoria Cross for action in which he died on 29 May 1982, and Sgt McKay for his valour on 12 June 1982. Both were gazetted - that is, announced in the London Gazette - on the same day. The Imperial War Museum, however, says Sgt McKay is the last VC.

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Q.� What were their heroic deeds

A.� Col Jones - always known as H - was commanding 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment when they were ordered to attack enemy positions around Darwin and Goose Green. Under heavy fire he led troops into action. Heavy artillery fire intensified and it became clear that desperate measures were needed to overcome the enemy.

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Q.� And then

A.� The citation says: 'Col Jones immediately seized a sub-machinegun, and, calling on those around him and with total disregard for his own safety, charged the nearest enemy position. This action exposed him to fire from a number of trenches. As he charged up a short slope at the enemy position he was seen to fall and roll backward downhill.

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'He immediately picked himself up, and again charged the enemy trench, firing his sub-machinegun and seemingly oblivious to the intense fire directed at him. He was hit by fire from another trench, which he outflanked, and fell dying only a few feet from the enemy he had assaulted. A short time later a company of the battalion attacked the enemy who quickly surrendered. The devastating display of courage by Col Jones had completely undermined their will to fight further.'

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It concludes: 'This was an action of the utmost gallantry by a commanding officer whose dashing leadership and courage throughout the battle were an inspiration to all about him.'

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Q.� What about Sgt McKay

A.� He was platoon sergeant in B Company of the 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment. On the night of 11 June 1982, a silent night attack was mounted on an enemy position on Mount Longdon, an important objective in the battle for Port Stanley.

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The Argentine enemy resisted fiercely and the platoon commander, realising that no further advance was possible, ordered the men to shelter among the rocks of the ridge above Stanley. Taking Sgt McKay, a corporal and a few others, the platoon commander moved forward to reconnoitre the enemy positions but he was wounded in the leg, and McKay took over. McKay decided to attack, took three men with him and charged the enemy position.

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The corporal was seriously wounded, a private killed and another wounded. Sgt McKay continued to charge the enemy position alone. He dispatched the enemy with grenades, relieving his beleaguered comrades. But he was killed at the moment of victory.

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The citation adds: 'His was a coolly calculated act, the dangers of which must have been 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.'

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by Steve Cunningham