Life jacket, worn during Falklands War

Add to album

This Royal Navy life jacket was worn by Lieutenant-Commander K.M. Napier during the Falklands War in 1982.

The life jacket shows damage caused by enemy fire when HMS Plymouth was attacked by Argentine aircraft in San Carlos Bay. Evidence of 'near misses' in battle were often kept as souvenirs.

Napier later recorded, '...my position in the hangar, beside the flight deck comms, was hit by 2 cannon shot...the first hole made a bang, and spread some fine bits about: it was 18 inches or so from my head, and shredded my life jacket... I got up to look for further damage, and the second hit just beside my chair...'.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-180-000-205-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  M.1984.142.2
• Date: 1982
  8 June 1982
  
• Material: Life-jacket
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Life-jacket
  
• Subject: Equipment
  
• Who: H.M.S. Plymouth
  Lieutenant-Commander K.M. Napier (Owner)
  Royal Navy (British sea forces)
  
• Where:
• Event: Falklands Conflict (Conflict)
  
• Description: Royal Navy - Life-jacket worn by Lieutenant-Commander K.M. Napier, rendered unserviceable by Argentinian shell fragments, Falklands Conflict, 8 June 1982
  
• References:
• Translations:
• Related Records: