Falklands War veteran Simon Weston CBE will mark the 40th anniversary of the conflict at a special University of Exeter event this month.

The soldier, who was badly injured when the RFA Sir Galahad was destroyed in the Bluff Cove Air Attack, will also help mark the launch of a major new report into support for those who have served in the armed forces.

In this year, the 40th anniversary of the Falklands conflict, Simon will talk about his experiences and how they have shaped the life he leads today. At the free event he will talk about mental health challenges and his unlikely friendship with the Argentinian fighter pilot who led the life-changing attack on him and his comrades 40 years ago. He will also be answering questions from the audience.

The Welsh Guardsman sustained serious burns to 46 percent of his body. He has become well-known across the United Kingdom and abroad for his struggle to overcome his injuries and redefine his role in life. Simon’s message is one of achievement and success in the face of adversity.

Simon will also support the University of Exeter’s Military Afterlives project, set up to analyse how British veterans and their families have experienced the transition out of the military and back into civilian life. Researchers, including those who are veterans, have interviewed veterans from across the South West about their lives, including their experiences before they joined the military, whilst they were serving, and after they had left.

The research was funded by postgraduate fellowship grants from Volkswagen Foundation. It is hoped the findings will be used to improve support for veterans of all ages.

The research was carried out by a team based at the University of Exeter. Dr Sarah Bulmer led the project, working alongside Dr David Jackson, a former Royal Marine who served in Northern Ireland and the Falklands war, Dr Caroline Micklewright, a former logistics officer in the Royal Air Force who served in Iraq and Dr Richard Davis, a Royal Signals officer for 24 years who served in Northern Ireland and the first Gulf War.

It takes place at the Peter Chalk Building, University of Exeter Streatham Campus at 6:30pm on Tuesday, October 18. To reserve a place go to eventbrite.co.uk and search for An Evening with Simon Weston CBE.