THE former captain of the QE2 who took the ship to the Falklands war has died.

Peter Jackson, 86, who became Master of the ship in 1973, had been ill for some time.

It was in May 1982 that QE2 got the message half way across the Atlantic that she was to serve her country in the Falklands.

As she docked in Southampton a race against time began and over the coming days an amazing transformation was to take place as the most famous passenger liner in the world was changed into a troopship.

Finally on May 12, after little more than a week since QE2 had been told she had been drafted into military service, the ship left Southampton under the control of Capt Jackson, with 3,000 troops on board.

The QE2 is currently being converted into a floating hotel to be moored in Dubai.

It made its last voyage from Southampton in November after being sold for £50m.

The funeral of Captain Jackson, who was QE2 captain for seven years, will be held on 9 January.

He leaves a widow, a daughter and three grandchildren.