Matthew Stuart, remembered by his friends
At the time of the Falklands, Matt was working for me as a 'WE Seaman', and on the fateful day of 21st May, as the Maintainer of the Seacat system (Wemn 2).
I was the last person to see him alive - when I closed the hatch to the fwd Seacat magazine.
What I have found hard to accept over the years, is that it was his 18th birthday, and he never got to enjoy it.
That apart he was a helpful, and considerate young man - with a strong sense of humour.
As one example - while at Portland, for Staff Sea checks prior to deploying, we had been testing missiles, and I told him it was 'Standeasy' at which point he walked out of the Ready-use Mag and proceeded to lock me in - only to return with a cup of coffee for me.
I think he wanted to make sure we finished early ....
It still gets to me even now.
Fred (Gravity Graham) Horabin
"Stu" and I went through gunnery training togather, we were in the same class and passed out togather, I only really knew him for a matter of months, but as any serviceman will tell you the bond of basic training is lifelong. My thoughts to his family, we will all miss his soul ....
Patrick Mathiot
Contributing to the Garden of Remembrance
© South Atlantic Medal Association 82
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