MARKING the 25th anniversary of the Falklands war is particularly poignant for one Herefordshire couple who are remembering one hero who was like a son to them.

Bill Glover and his wife Marion, from Sutton St Nicholas, first met Captain John Hamilton when he was a 13-year-old boy at the Royal Masonic School.

Bill was head of John's house at the school and said: "At school he was known as action man and we never heard a bad word about him. He was well liked by staff and students and was a very good rugby player.

"When John went to Sandhurst, I used to go along to Father's Day and be his surrogate father."

John was the only SAS soldier to die in military action during the Falklands campaign. He was killed in combat in June 1982, at the age of 29, as he attacked enemy gun positions.

He and his radio operator had been surrounded and, as their escape route was exposed to the enemy, Capt Hamilton initiated the fire fight in order to allow the signaller to move first.

He was wounded in the back but continued to hold off the enemy while the signaller made his escape. He gave further covering fire before being killed.

His citation said: "Capt Hamilton showed supreme courage and sense of duty by his conscious decision to sacrifice himself on behalf of his signaller. His final, brave and unselfish act will be an inspiration to all who follow in the SAS." He was awarded the Military Cross posthumously as well as the Distinguished Service Order.

In August 1982, a captured Argentinian Colonel said: "I wish to commend that British captain for the highest possible bravery award. He is without doubt the most courageous man I have ever seen."

John's army career had started at Sandhurst where he became an officer before joining the Green Howards in Yorkshire and then the SAS.

Capt Hamilton was originally buried with military honours by the Argentines but was later reburied by comrades in a Falklands graveyard.