Service for Rotherham Victoria Cross recipient Ian McKay

A MEMORIAL service will be held to remember a posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross who was killed in the Falklands War.

The Sheffield area members of the Parachute Regiment Association will remember Sgt Ian McKay when they gather at his memorial in Clifton Park, Rotherham, on June 12 — 37 years after he fell during the battle for Port Stanley.

Sgt McKay (29), of 3rd Battallion, The Parachute Regiment, was killed on June 12, 1982, during a silent night attack on an enemy position on Mount Longdon.

He broke cover during a reconnaissance mission, taking three men with him, and charged the enemy after he and his platoon had come under increasing fire.

Sgt McKay’s colleagues soon fell but he continued the attack alone and despatched the enemy with grenades, however, he was killed during the attack.

The memorial service, which is open to everybody, will take place on June 12 at 11.30am and will be attended by Rotherham’s Mayor, Cllr Jenny Andrews, and Mayoress Jeanette Mallinder.

Students from Wingfield Academy will read Sgt McKay’s citation during the short service.