The family of a young Bolton man who lost his life in the Falklands war have paid tribute after a bench was unveiled in his honour.
John Stroud was just 20 years old when HMS Glamorgan, the ship he was stationed on, was hit with a missile on June 12, 1982.
John, who was born and raised in Bolton, left behind a widow, Jean Stroud-Mort, now aged 67, and a son, John-Paul Stroud.
Growing up, John had been a sea cadet, having been a member of Chorley Sea Cadets.
In honour of John and the sacrifice he made, Bolton Sea Cadets in The Haulgh revealed a bench dedicated to him to remind everyone of his sacrifice.
Read more: Fallen Bolton Falklands sailor honoured with special memorial
The bench was unveiled to the cadets and his family on Thursday, September 8.
Jean said: “It means John is still here, still part of the Royal Navy, still part of this.
“I can’t put it into words, it’s just amazing, it’s happy. It’s going to be here forever.
“These cadets will know everything about the Falklands now.
“John loved being in the cadets, so to be in the Sea Cadets would mean so much, cause I know his mum and she told me he was in the cadets to go into the Royal Navy, that was it.
“When he was on his first ship, the Invincible, that was massive for him.”
Read more: Fallen Bolton Falklands sailor's memorial to be visited as part of memorial
A plaque has been fitted to the backrest of the bench, inscribed: “In remembrance of STD JD Stroud D175899F – HMS Glamorgan Falkland Islands Conflict 1982.
“Buried at sea 12th June 1982 in position 51° 50.5S 053° 31.3W. Stand down sailor, duty done. Rest in Peace.”
Jean also said some words during the presentation of the bench: “I met John well over 40 years ago. He was part of Chorley Sea Cadets. He was born and bred in Bolton and lived in Bolton."
Stacey Jeffries, aged 51, a firefighter at Bolton North Fire Station, has known Jean and the family since hearing about John’s story.
Stacey, who voluntarily maintains Dunscar War Memorial in Egerton, was the person who organised for the bench to be brought to the Sea Cadets.
He said: “I voluntarily maintain Dunscar War Memorial. I set about on a plan to honour John on the 40th anniversary of his death.
“I set on the plan in June. Put the plan into place to get a memorial bench in the churchyard for Jean when she visits.
“We had a display at Dunscar War Memorial leading up to the anniversary itself on June 12.
“There was a full guard of honour on June 8 and that completed that phase. The second phase of the memorial was putting a bench in place at Bolton Sea Cadets for future generations to be able to reflect, remember and learn about HMS Glamorgan and the only Boltonian to die in the Falklands.
“In 50 years’ time, people will still remember.”
The bench was made in Shropshire by Chris Nangle Furniture, who donated it for free after hearing John’s story.
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