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Herald photographer Peter remembers the Falklands

The memories of the picture editor of the Plymouth Evening Herald are at the heart of the newspaper’s latest 48-page supplement.

He used to be Royal Navy Petty Officer Peter Holdgate – and recorded the Falklands conflict 20 years ago.

Green Beret-trained Peter (left) was with the Commando Forces and the supplement features dozens of images he took, as well as a detailed account of his experiences during the war.

Pete, then aged 30, was tasked with gathering pictures of the islands for operational planning.

He took hundreds of photographs that provide a dramatic record of the war from start to finish, including key ground battles and the victory push through Port Stanley on June 14.

He travelled from Portsmouth to the Falklands on April 4, 1982, with 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines on board HMS Fearless.

He took with him two 35mm Nikon SLR cameras and used Kodax Tri-X black and white professional film and Ektachrome colour transparency film.

The weather proved to be one of his biggest challenges as he moved from unit to unit trying to capture the ‘Commando Spirit’, which overcame the enemy, the weather and difficult terrain.

He said: “The greatest privilege was to be there with a Green Beret alongside the best fighting force in the world.”

Although Pete did not have a favourite image, the one he is most well-known for is ‘The Yomper’ (above) which was used by every British national newspaper, including The Sun which used the image as its Falklands War logo.

The picture was of Commandos yomping through the bleak snow-dusted landscape and a young marine carrying a flag on his back during the final march through the minefields towards Stanley.

Ten years ago a 12-foot bronze statue based on The Yomper was unveiled by Margaret Thatcher on Southsea Seafront.

Pete said: “There are four moments in my life that I am most proud of.

“The birth of my two children, the coming home of the Canberra, and the unveiling of The Yomper at Southsea.

“As a photographer, it is always your hope that one day you will be remembered for a single image. I am fortunate enough to have achieved that ambition, and not only that, I have a statue as well.”

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