HMS Invincible's Falklands Commander Dies

The man who commanded HMS Invincible during the Falklands War has died at the age of 83.

Admiral Sir Jeremy Black captained the aircraft carrier in 1982 as the ship was sent to the South Atlantic to help in the fight to recapture the Islands from the Argentinian Junta.

At the time of the conflict the then Captain Black had already served some 30 years and built a reputation as an inspirational leader - so much so that Invincible's crew designed and wore T-shirts with 'There and Back with JJ Black' emblazoned across the front.

Watch: Carrier Strike - The Invincible Years 

Awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) his citation read that throughout the war he “displayed outstanding qualities of professionalism, leadership and stamina in his command. To keep men and machinery operating at the peak of their performance for such an extended period so far away from home base has required exceptional powers of concentration, man management and perseverance and HMS Invincible’s success owes much to these qualities so abundantly held by her commanding officer."

“In addition HMS Invincible had to stay in the South Atlantic after cessation of hostilities to maintain presence; in doing so she was continuously at sea for longer than any other RN ship before her. To make this transition from war to 'peace’ but without the advantage of an early return to the UK required a very special understanding of both men and material and again Captain Black showed outstanding leadership qualities in maintaining momentum.”

Jeremy Black's service career began in 1950, seeing action in the Korean War, The Malayan Emergency and in Borneo. It was in Borneo in 1962 that he played a crucial role in what became known as the 'Limbang Raid', when a company of Royal Marine commandos were sent in to a small town in Sarawak to rescue a number of British citizens being held hostage by insurgents.

Black commanded four ships during his distinguished naval career - the 'wooden-walled' HMS Fiskerton based in Singapore, the destroyers HMS Decoy and HMS Fife before taking the helm of the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible.

Ever popular his last post in the Royal Navy was as Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command, living in Admiralty House in Portsmouth, his flag flying from the most famous ship in the fleet - HMS Victory.