Lance Corporal Denzil Connick

Lance Corporal Denzil Connick BEM was a Falklands war veteran in the anti-tank platoon of 3 Para who was seriously injured in the Battle of Mount Longdon. He grew up in Chepstow in Monmouthshire and joined the Army as a junior leader at 15. He then served for 12 years with 3 Para. General Pike, his CO, stated "Denzil was one of the great characters", whilst veterans minister Johnny Mercer also paid tribute: "Denzil Connick was a true warrior for his generation, of veteran's rights".

Connick describes the life-changing moment he was hit by a mortar shell in the Falklands war below: 

"Although Mount Longdon had been taken, we were being constantly shelled from Stanley as they knew exactly where we were. I was going along a sheep track when I was hit by a 120mm mortar. It took my left leg clean off and shredded my right leg. The other soldier I was with died of his wounds.

I had life-saving attention at the scene and was taken to a field hospital at Fitzroy Cove, where I suffered a heart attack because I had lost so much blood. But the surgeons saved me and transferred me to the hospital ship SS Uganda, where I stayed for four weeks before I was repatriated to the UK". 

Connick later described the nurses and doctors as the "real" heroes that day. However, it was the mental anguish he suffered in the years afterwards that was harder to recover from. He stated: "You go from hero to zero in your mind. One minute you're a fit, healthy, young man, a paratrooper with all of life's adventures in front of you. Then, suddenly, you're not that person anymore. It all ends in an instant". 

As a result of his injuries, Connick was discharged from the army in 1984. However, he decided to dedicate his life to supporting fellow veterans. He co-founded the South Atlantic Medal Assocation (SAMA) 82, which was established as a charity in 1997. The charity was involved in helping Falklands veterans to return to the islands, partly as a way of coping with their trauma. Connick himself first returned to the Falklands 15 years after his injury. He recalled: "it was an incredible feeling. I was facing up to my demons, going back to the place where the trauma all started". He became the association's first secretary as well as a trustee. The association eventually grew to accommodate over 3,000 members under his stewardship, which lasted for a decade. He later became a vice president of the charity for life. 

Connick lamented the fact that bringing veterans back to the Falklands was often viewed as too much of an ordeal. As he described:

"Veterans from World War 2 often made pilgrimages to Normandy, Italy, and other parts of Europe. But getting to the Falklands is no mean feat. It's expensive, and the logistics are difficult. But with the help of military charities like the Royal Air Force and Veterans Foundation, we have helped those veterans suffering from mental health [issues]. It's something I'm very proud of". 

He stated that the therapeutic effect can be invaluable for veterans:

“When they return to the Islands, it settles them down with their PTSD. Seeing the Islands in peace time, not war time, readjusts the brain. It can be a big help.”

On June 17, 2023, Connick was honoured in King Charles' first birthday honours list with a BEM in recognition of his lifetime of service to fellow veterans. Connick later stated in acknowledgement: "It's so lovely to be officially recognised. It came out of the blue, I've been doing this for many years. It's humbling". 

Connick was due to attend a garden party in 2024 to meet with King Charles along with other recipients of the BEM. Sadly, he passed away from cancer on the morning of 3rd September, 2023, with his wife Teresa and sons Matthew and Stephen beside him. 

Profile photo courtesy of Danny Moore.