Plymouth Herald executive picture editor Pete Holdgate has told of his emotional return to the Falklands, 25 years after he served there during the conflict.

The former Commando Forces photographer flew out for a week-long trip with colleague Tristan Nichols, the paper’s defence reporter.

The pair spent their time gathering material for the Herald’s planned coverage to mark the 25th anniversary of the conflict, speaking to veterans, islanders and the governor of the Falklands Islands.

And Pete was also able to visit the graves of some of the men he served alongside, and return to the site where he took his now famous ‘Yomper’ image (below).

Pete said: “It was very strange going back after 25 years.

“It was emotional seeing the graves of the guys who didn’t come back, especially those of a few friends.

“When we left them they were buried in a mass grave, but they all now have proper graves and markers.

“Although I was reticent about going down, because it’s such a long journey and I’m not one to look back, I made the effort purely because people kept on at me and I’m glad I did.

“There is also a genuine gratitude from the Falkand Islands, strangers stopped me in the street to say thank you.

“And they have turned the island around. There is a thriving community that is growing and Port Stanley is nearly twice the size it was.

“It’s good to se that it hadn’t been a waste of time.”

During their trip Pete and Tristan battle grounds such as Goose Green and San Carlos, and layed a wreath in memory of the 258 British servicemen who died.

They recorded a virtual tour using a headcamera, tracing the footsteps of Royal Marines who liberated Port Stanley 25 years ago, and spoke to residents about their memories of the conflict.

Tristan said: “We spoke to one woman who was five at the time. One of her first memories was being taken out of her house at gunpoint. That really brought it home to us.”

He added: “It was amazing really. We travelled 8,000 miles and discovered something very familiar – it was like Dartmoor but with mines.

“It was a fascinating trip and we got some really interesting stories.”