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| Falklands War admiral Sandy Woodward dies aged 81 | Falklands War admiral Sandy Woodward dies aged 81 |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Admiral Sir Sandy Woodward, who led the Falklands Task Force, has died after a long illness at the age of 81, his daughter has told the BBC. | |
| Adm Woodward was commander of the naval force sent by then-PM Margaret Thatcher to retake the Falkland Islands in 1982. | |
| He later served as deputy chief of the defence staff and went on to be the Flag Aide-de Camp to the Queen. | |
| Defence Secretary Philip Hammond paid tribute, saying Adm Woodward had served his country "with distinction". | |
| First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas said Adm Woodward would be remembered for his "powerful and clear command" of the Royal Navy Task Force. | |
| 'Against odds' | |
| "Undaunted by the challenge of fighting a capable enemy over 8,000 miles from the UK, in the most demanding and extreme of weather conditions, and against uncertain odds, Admiral Woodward's inspirational leadership and tactical acumen - meshing the realities of the higher political command at home with the raw and violent fight at sea - was a major factor in shaping the success of the British forces in the South Atlantic," he said. | |
| "Highly regarded and widely respected within the military, he will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time." | |
| Mr Hammond said: "I am saddened by the news that Admiral Sir John 'Sandy' Woodward, has died and my thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. | |
| "Admiral Woodward served his country with distinction throughout his career, but he will be best remembered by many as the Navy's Fighting Admiral after he led the Royal Navy Task Force, sent by Margaret Thatcher, to retake the Falkland Islands in 1982." | |
| Adm Woodward was born in Penzance, Cornwall, on 1 May 1932, according to the Who's Who database. | |
| After training at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, he went on to have an illustrious naval career, before his retirement in 1989. | |
| He described his experiences of the campaign to take back the Falklands from Argentina's military in a book One Hundred Days. |