A WIRRAL MP has called on the Government to honour the courage of a soldier who died serving Britain during the Falklands War.

Wallasey MP Angela Eagle will join the family of Corporal Stewart McLaughlin and hundreds of serving and former members of the Armed Forces in a march on Downing Street today, Friday, aimed at calling on the Prime Minister to formally recognise the Wallasey soldier.

Earlier this week, Ms Eagle and fellow labour MP Dan Jarvis met with the Armed Forces Minister, Mark Francois MP, to press for Corporal McLaughlin’s case to be urgently reviewed.

Cpl Stewart McLaughlin was a section commander in the 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment who died aged 27 during the battle of Mt London on June 12, 1982.

Despite being hailed for his bravery and devotion, he has never received formal recognition – even though his commanding officer put him forward for a medal.

Among those joining the march will be retired Lieutenant-General Sir Hew Pike, the commanding officer of the Wallasey solder’s regiment during the Falklands War, who originally put him forward for the award.

He has now rewritten the lost citation, stating that “This outstanding and very courageous leader is strongly deserving of formal recognition”.

Ms Eagle said: “Yesterday my colleague Dan Jarvis and I met with the Armed Forces Minister to press the McLaughlin family’s case ahead of the march on Friday.

"Corporal McLaughlin’s family have campaigned tirelessly to see Stewart’s case reconsidered in light of the discovery that a citation for bravery was written up but then lost and so was never considered.

"Corporal McLaughlin showed exceptional bravery and gave his life at the decisive battle of Mount Longdon, it is time for his courage and sacrifice to be recognised.”

Dan Jarvis, MP for Barnsley Central and a former Major in The Parachute Regiment, said: “There is no doubt that Corporal Stewart McLaughlin demonstrated outstanding valour and leadership under extremely testing conditions and ultimately lost his life fighting for our country in the Battle of Mount Longdon.

“His bravery deserves recognition, which is why his commanding officer recommended him for an honour over 30 years ago. 

“New evidence now suggests this citation was not considered in the way it should have been, meaning a great injustice has been served on Corporal McLaughlin, his unit and his family.

“Awards for gallantry have been made posthumously in the past, so I hope Ministers look again at this exceptional case and consider Corporal McLaughlin for an honour worthy of his sacrifice.”
Corporal McLaughlin’s son Stewart said: “The march is a tremendous show of support for my dad.

"It makes me very proud to see so many people coming from around the country and as far away as America.”