THE huge scale of the Task Force meant local men were heavily involved in the conflict.

There were 127 ships and around 4,800 soldiers and marines in two brigades.

Local deaths included 18-year-old Stephen Ford from Parkstone, who was on HMS Ardent, and leading cook Adrian Wellstead, 26, from Winterborne Kingston, on HMS Sheffield.

Royal Marine Kenneth Francis, 29, from Lyndhurst, was killed when a helicopter was shot down.

Welsh Guardsman Christopher Thomas, 22, from Wimborne Road in Bournemouth, was killed by shrapnel on the last day of fighting.

Lance Corporal Brett Giffin from Christchurch died when his Gazelle helicopter was shot down, and sailor Andrew Morris, 25, from Poole, died on board Sir Galahad.

Acting Sgt Ian Hunt, 28 of the Hamworthy-based SBS, was reportedly shot while leading a patrol.

Survivors included 2nd Lt Julian Pusey from Queens Park, a member of 42 Commando, who was shot in the arm, while Stephen Francis, 21, from Ensbury Park, survived a bomb passing through HMS Glasgow.

Commando David Stewart, the son of a rector from Langton Matravers, won the Military Cross during the assault on Two Sisters.

Poole Royal Marine Nick Taylor fought with 45 Commando and featured in an ITV documentary on the war this year. Former Marine Jim Dunne, above, from Hamworthy also returned to the islands in 2007.