A veteran of the Falklands War who has spent the last 20 years dealing with post traumatic stress has spoken of the huge benefit of revisiting the islands.

Andy James, a former Welsh Guard, from Libanus near Brecon in mid Wales, was on the Sir Galahad, when it was bombed by Argentine fighter jets on 8 June, 1982.

Sir Galahad was bombed by Argentinian jets

He rejoined some of his colleagues to travel back to the islands for the 20th anniversary remembrance services and found himself better able to cope with the memories that never leave him.

"I was 19 when we were in the Falklands. For 20 years it has been with me.

"My buddies in front of me (on Sir Galahad) took the brunt of the blast. I came out unscathed," he explained.

"Coming back to the Falklands, I was extremely anxious in the beginning.

"I did not know what feelings I would go through. For 20 years, I have been thinking about it and it has been affecting me and my home life."

Mr James was one of 200 veterans, 20 of who are from Wales, who joined fellow veteran the Duke of York and other dignitaries on the islands to mark Remembrance Sunday.

British soldiers liberating Port Stanley

Mr James, who now works as a prison guard, said being able to cope with the trauma of the war, and sharing the experiences he went through with people who understood, was important to him.

"Since coming here, it is immense the amount of pain that has left me. The sorrow and tears are still there. I have been proud to cry in front of people.

"This is the first ever interview I have given. I do not even talk to my family about this.

If there are any Falklands vets out there, for God's sake come and do this, it will do you good

Andy James, Falklands veteran

"The comrades we have come with have helped me pull through. A lot of it is also down to the residents here in the Falklands."

Mr James said he now felt a great debt of gratitude to the islanders who had been hospitable and caring towards the veterans.

"The amount of pain that has left the people that has come here has been good.

"If there are any Falklands vets out there for God's sake come and do this, it will do you good."

The Duke of York joined the veterans

Dr Morgan O'Connell, a consultant psychiatric surgeon with Combat Stress, said Mr James' trip the islands was also probably beneficial to many others taking part.

"You have heard from someone who was struggling with a problem and has found by sharing it, he can deal with it better.

"It is common that the individual denies he has a problem, even though those around them recognise it."

Combat Stress was set up by a group of concerned women in 1919 for veterans of the Great War to deal with post traumatic stress disorder, helping them recognise their problems.

During their visit, veterans have also been planting trees with island children in memory of those who died. On Tuesday, some of the Falklands' veterans will take part in a question-and-answer session with BBC News Online.

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