THE memory of a Falklands war hero will live on at the Gosport establishment where he trained.

Petty officer marine engineering mechanic David Briggs was killed aboard the ill-fated HMS Sheffield during the 1982 conflict when the ship was hit by an Argentinian Exocet missile.

For his brave action on that ill-fated day which stunned the nation, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal posthumously.

His parents, Richard and Jean Briggs, from Hurstpierpont, West Sussex, wanted a lasting tribute to their son, who trained at HMS Sultan and later became an instructor at the Royal Navy's engineering school. They presented a silver cup to Lieutenant-Commander Ken Hemsworth, training officer for marine engineering mechanics at the Gosport base.

He said: "I am grateful to accept this on behalf of the Commodore of HMS Sultan and the mechanics branch. The cup will be awarded on an annual basis to the mechanic who displays the best all round performance while on course."

After the presentation, Mrs Briggs, said: "We usually come here about twice a year and take communion in the church. We thought Sultan was the ideal place for the trophy. We are so glad it is going to be presented to someone and not just gather dust in a display cabinet somewhere."

PO Briggs lived in Rosemary Walk, Gosport. He died on May 4, 1982.