The men of the 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery had been supporting the Royal Marines during the conflict — providing much–needed close artillery support.
The unit was at the forefront of the conflict. One of their most noted operations was involvement in the invasion of San Carlos Bay in May 1982.
Following the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands the UK sent a task force to retake the islands.
Under the codename Operation Sutton, British forces planned amphibious landings around San Carlos, on an inlet located off Falkland Sound, the strait between East Falkland and West Falkland.
The landing took the Argentines, who had left the zone without major defences, by surprise and were largely unopposed, but British helicopters and warships came under attack in what became known as the Battle of San Carlos, claiming the lives of 49 British personnel and 11 on the Argentine side.
Major General Moore, commander of ground forces in the Falklands, assembled an attack force in a hard—won race to get to Falklands capital Stanley consisting of 42 Commando, 45 Commando, 40 Commando, 2 and 3 PARA, 1 Welsh Guards, 2 Scots Guards and 1/7 Gurkhas. They had 30 105mm guns from 29 Commando Regiment and 4 Field Regiment in support.
Argentina surrendered with a total loss of 633 of their own men and 255 allied soldiers.
On July 13, 1982 the men of 29 Commando and the Royal Marines waded ashore at Plymouth from the same landing craft they had used to come ashore at San Carlos.
The homecoming came as the assault ships Fearless and Intrepid headed toward Portsmouth. The ships made a temporary halt in Plymouth Sound so the servicemen could return directly to their Plymouth barracks.