Falklands War: Veteran remembers praying for his life on HMS Fearless
Today marks 40 years since Argentine forces landed on the island.
This weekend is the 40th anniversary of the beginning of the Falklands War which would kill 255 British soldiers and 3 islanders.
The intense fighting lasted for 10 weeks until ceasefire was declared on June 14 1982.
David Cruickshanks from Fife was just 17 when he got the call to sail on the assault ship HMS Fearless.
He told West FM: "There was a real mixture of anxiety and excitement on the ship.
"I also remember long periods of absolute boredom followed by minutes of sheer terror."
The then teenager had a couple of junior jobs including one where he would drop underwater grenades during the night to try to deter Argentine frogmen.
"I prayed to God many times"
David added: "We had no idea what was coming most of the time and we only realised how serious the situation was when we heard the air raid warning coming through the ship's intercom.
"One one occasion, I could hear missiles going off, guns firing and I could hear other ships shooting their guns.
"I prayed to God many times during those air raids and some of those prayers were very practical and it was just about us all being safe."
"I have had 40 years of life that some people didn't get"
David tells West FM he feels incredibly lucky to have survived the war and be in a position to reflect on it now.
"I have had 40 years of life that some people, who were the same age as me and went down to the Falklands and never came back, didn't get.
"That will stay on my mind for the rest of my life."
Pipers across the world are being asked to come together and play on their doorsteps, in streets or on a hillside to remember those who were killed in the war.
On Saturday June 18, many will perform the Crags of Mount Tumbledown, a march composed by a Scottish soldier while under Argentine fire on the Falklands hill, as part of a day of national commemorations.
David has attended remembrance ceremonies in the past, but feels he wants to spend this poignant anniversary alone.
"I think it is okay to mark these occasions in your own way.
"People who go to the parades will have an amazing time, but I would like a day of quiet reflection."