IT was nearly 30 years ago that Craig Jones’ parents returned home from a celebration to mark the end of a conflict in which he was fighting, only to be told he was killed in the final hours before the ceasefire.

This year, as the country marks the 30th anniversary of the Falklands Conflict, and as tension mounts between the UK and Argentina over the islands once again, Pamela and Richard Jones – a former Tenbury mayor – face up to their own painful memories.

Craig was the last British soldier to die – just 24 hours before a ceasefire took effect on June 14. He was 20.

Serving in the 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, he was killed on the final march into Port Stanley just hours before Argentine forces surrendered, bringing the conflict to an end.

Since then, Mr and Mrs Jones have been tireless in honouring their son’s memory, and a year ago they secured the purchase of a small island in Falklands Sound. The six acres of land will be forever known as Craig Island.

Mrs Jones said: “If the worst happened, I suppose the Argentines would want to claim it but we are determined to keep Craig Island in the family forever.”

In the 30th year after the Falklands Conflict and Craig’s death, Mr Jones, aged 75, his son Gareth, 48, and grandson Alexander, 18, travelled 8,000 miles to the barren outcrop, where they officially installed a plaque naming it Craig Island. Mrs Jones, 71, said that the island would remain in the Jones family “forever”as a haven for wildlife.

She said: “When the idea first flashed through Richard’s mind we didn't think it would be possible as you normally have to be a resident to own land there. Most people think of the Falklands as being a long way away and not very pretty but they have their own natural beauty.

“It seems appropriate because Craig was a country lad. He loved outdoor pursuits.

“It is never going to be anything but a wildlife haven.

“When the new maps are printed it will be Craig Island which means so much to us.”

Craig Island – formerly Little Rabbit Island – is in the north east of the Falklands. An ex-para who now lives in the Falklands put the couple in touch with ex-pat farmer Carol Phillips who gave them the island for free.

Mr and Mrs Jones took ownership of the isle last January when they received the deeds which allowed them to rename the island.

Craig joined 3 Para in 1980 when he was 18 and was drafted to the Falklands in April 1982 as part of the British task force.

He was fighting on Mount Longdon on the penultimate day of the war when he was killed in the early hours.

His body was one of the first to be repatriated after the conflict was over.

Mr Jones said: “It was terrible. It takes years to get over the shock.”