There is a very small memorial stone on the edge of a local cricket pitch near to me. It is of John Murray Sephton who was posthumously awarded the DSC for his bravery during the Falklands War in 1982.

In 2007 I made a conscious effort that once a year, I would go and tidy it up, trim the overgrown grass and place a poppy. Here are some photographs I have taken over the years of the clean up. It’s a small memorial, I’m happy to do it, pair of shears and a small knife and it’s done.

Update: By 2023 this memorial is being remembered by local school children, and visited annually as part of Armistice commemorations. Due to the very heavy rain we have experienced I was unable to do any of the cleaning up. I will return when the weather is dryer and the area isn’t so muddy.

Extracted from the London Gazette 8 October 1982

The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to approve the Posthumous award of the Distinguished Service Cross to the undermentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during the operations in the South Atlantic:

Distinguished Service Cross

Lieutenant Commander John Murray SEPHTON, Royal Navy.

On 21st May 1982, HMS ARDENT on station in San Carlos Water came under heavy attack from the Argentine Air Force and sustained many bomb hits, causing great damage and loss of life. After the loss of the Seacat missile system, Lieutenant Commander Sephton, the Flight Commander organised the use of small arms by the Flight as a last ditch defence against the concentrated and severe enemy attacks. In a dangerous and desperate situation he was last seen directing fire on the exposed Flight Deck, shooting a sub machine gun vertically up into an A4 Skyhawk the instant before, it dropped the bombs that killed him. Three other Flight members were also killed. Lieutenant Commander Sephton’s extreme valour and self-sacrifice was an example and inspiration to all the Ship’s Company and undoubtedly deterred the enemy from making even more attacks.