Private Peter J Hedicker

Local hero killed in Falklands War 1982 buried in the Military Cemetery

Pte Peter John Hedicker (1960-1982) was born in the Louise Margaret Hospital, Aldershot. He was the second son of Rita and the late Bill Hedicker; his father was a career soldier who spent 27 years in the Royal Army Service Corps, later the Royal Corps of Transport. Peter went to eight schools, finishing up at the Heron Wood school in Aldershot. During his school years he was a keen Cub and Scout. On leaving, he did a number of different jobs in and around Aldershot, including time as a barman in the Royal Exchange public house, where he met and made friends with a number of young soldiers from the Parachute Regiment. This prompted his decision to join up in September 1980. On completion of his training Private Peter Hedicker was posted to 3 PARA, then in Aldershot, but which was subsequently moved to Tidworth.

He deployed to the South Atlantic in "SS CANBERRA", landing on the Falkland Islands with 3 PARA on Friday May 21st 1982 as part of the amphibious assault conducted by 3rd Commando Brigade. Peter then took part in the epic "tab" from Port San Carlos to Estancia House, and subsequently across the Murrell River to the start line for the battle of Mount Longdon. During that long, hard fight on the night of June 12th Peter was killed by a direct hit from an Argentine 106mm recoiless weapon. After a funeral with full military honours, his body now lies in the Aldershot Military Cemetery, next to that of Sergeant Ian McKay VC.

Pte Peter John Hedicker (1960-1982) was born in the Louise Margaret Hospital, Aldershot. He was the second son of Rita and the late Bill Hedicker; his father was a career soldier who spent 27 years in the Royal Army Service Corps, later the Royal Corps of Transport. Peter went to eight schools, finishing up at the Heron Wood school in Aldershot. During his school years he was a keen Cub and Scout. On leaving, he did a number of different jobs in and around Aldershot, including time as a barman in the Royal Exchange public house, where he met and made friends with a number of young soldiers from the Parachute Regiment. This prompted his decision to join up in September 1980. On completion of his training Private Peter Hedicker was posted to 3 PARA, then in Aldershot, but which was subsequently moved to Tidworth.

He deployed to the South Atlantic in "SS CANBERRA", landing on the Falkland Islands with 3 PARA on Friday May 21st 1982 as part of the amphibious assault conducted by 3rd Commando Brigade. Peter then took part in the epic "tab" from Port San Carlos to Estancia House, and subsequently across the Murrell River to the start line for the battle of Mount Longdon. During that long, hard fight on the night of June 12th Peter was killed by a direct hit from an Argentine 106mm recoiless weapon. After a funeral with full military honours, his body now lies in the Aldershot Military Cemetery, next to that of Sergeant Ian McKay VC.