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Britain

Tributes for Falklands hero who saved 10 lives

2-MIN READ2-MIN
John Carney

Tributes have flowed for the only Chinese man to be awarded one of Britain's highest civilian honours for bravery, Hong Kong's Chiu Yiu-nam, following his death at home.

The extremely modest Chiu ignored orders to abandon ship and saved 10 Welsh Guardsmen from the blazing Royal Fleet Auxiliary's Sir Galahad during the 1982 Falklands war between Britain and Argentina.

A merchant seaman, Chiu was on the vessel on June 8 when it was hit by Argentinian bombs. A fireball swept through the vessel and the order was given to abandon ship.

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But Chiu, trained in firefighting, knew that many personnel were badly injured below decks. Clad in a protective suit, he fought his way through the smoke and flames and led out one man after another.

He saved the lives of at least 10 Welsh Guardsmen and in 1983 was presented with the George Medal by Queen Elizabeth.

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Chiu told the South China Morning Post in August 1983 that his bravery was inspired by a Chinese proverb that he lived by: 'To save a life is more pleasing to Buddha than to build a seven-storey pagoda'.

'Life is so precious, and there was no reason for me to miss any chance of saving it,' Chiu said. 'I never thought of any reward I might get.'

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