THE vice chairman of the Royal British Legion in Largs has told of his extraordinary career in the Armed Forces that saw him served in the Falklands War.

Patrick Murphy, 60, worked on safety and survival in the Royal Navy and the Armed Forces from 1974 until 1983 and has been a faithful member of the legion since 1976, setting up the Largs branch six years ago.

He spoke to the News this week about his amazing time serving his Queen and country which included eight daredevil parachute jumps and a stint in the horrific conflict for the islands off Argentina.

He said: "I was young and fearless when I did my first jump and it didn't bother me at all - but every other one I did after that petrified me!

"The first two jumps were from just under 1,000 feet and the other six were rom 2,000 feet.

"In 25 seconds you drop 800 feet - and 200 of those is before the parachute opens."

Patrick was based on the HMS Invincible during the Falklands War in 1982.

He said: "I was involved in preparing the safety equipment.

"It was a full blown war but I was out in the middle of the sea. It was scary as other boats around us were getting sunk.

"I had to make sure that all the air crews were safe. It was intense and we were basically always on duty. Every time there was an attack it was battle stations.

"If a ship was attacked, you would hear all the missiles and rockets being fired. It was scary stuff."

Before joining the Navy Partick was an apprentice joiner.

He added: "I wanted to join the paras but my mum wouldn't sign the forms as my uncle died after a parachute jump on D-Day."

Patrick is originally an Ardrossan man but came to live in Largs 12 years ago and learned how to live in the toughest of environments as part of his own survival training.

He said: "You could say I know how to survive like Bear Grylls! I know how to make fires and catch food.

"The most difficult thing I ever had to eat was a raw stoat. I have also had to eat grass snakes to live.

"The main thing if you are posted on a foreign assignment and land somewhere is to build a shelter, even if you are in the desert you have to shelter.

"A plastic sheet can catch all the dew at night and when you are in the desert and you can get a pint glass full of water.

"It can be 50 degrees during the day in the desert but freezing at night and you need to be prepared for everything.

"I served in Norway in incredibly deep snow. You have to dig a big hole and build a shelf. All the cold air goes to the bottom and it is possible that you can keep yourself quite warm."

His training even kicked in when enjoying a family holiday in Turkey after a black snake was spotted swimming through the pool.

He laughed: "I remember the attendant's hands were waving and he was shouting for everyone to get out of the pool. It was fine through as it was a whip snake, which I knew was harmless so we just grabbed it and got it out the water.

"It is important in terms of survival to be adaptable, I even know how to make a worm omelette!"

From surviving against the odds to overcoming them to help another veteran see again, Patrick was delighted to be involved in last year's fundraising efforts to get veteran John Hutchison his state of the art glasses to restore his vision.

He said: "I think that is the important thing about the legion. There is not much aid there for veterans, but we can help.

"The people of Largs were fantastic I was surprised how quickly we raised the money. People really got behind the campaign and I would like to thank them all."

Patrick lives in Park View and has two grown up children and four grandchildren.

PHotos: Patrick Murphy/John Keachie/Ryan Scott Photography.