SAS hero of Iranian embassy siege dies 'of a broken heart' after his soldier son was killed in Afghanistan







The SAS sergeant who led the raid on the besieged Iranian Embassy died of a broken heart after his son was killed in Afghanistan, his family said yesterday.

John McAleese, who was in his early sixties, died on Friday in Thessaloniki, Greece, where he was working as a security guard.

He came to symbolise the bravery of the SAS after millions of TV news viewers saw him blast open a window during the storming of the building in 1980.

Grief: John MacAleese at the repatriation of his son, Sgt Paul McAleese, in Wootton Bassett in 2009

The Foreign Office confirmed he had died on Friday in Thessaloniki, Greece, where he had been living.

But despite his fearless reputation, he never recovered from the death of Sergeant Paul McAleese, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Helmand two years ago at 29.

Mr McAleese died of a suspected heart attack a day before the second anniversary of his son’s death. As tributes poured in yesterday, Mr McAleese’s family said he never got over the death of his son.

His daughter Hayley, 28, said: ‘I am sure the grief and stress he had suffered had a bearing on what has happened. It was a heart attack out of the blue. It’s just a complete shock, but I believe a lot of it has to do with the loss of Paul, with it being so close to the anniversary.

‘Dad seemed to age after Paul died. He had a broken heart and ultimately it was his heart that took him. But we all believe father and son are reunited. Two great heroes taking their place in heaven,’

Mr McAleese was left heartbroken when his son, Sergeant Paul McAleese, died after a Taliban blast in Afghanistan



His ex-wife Kim Early, 52, said: ‘I am devastated. I don’t think John got over losing Paul.’

Mr McAleese, who lived in Hereford, became famous for his bravery during the final moments of the six-day siege at the embassy in West London in May 1980.

Millions of people watched the rescue live on TV as Mr McAleese perched precariously on a ledge to place explosive charges that blew out the embassy’s windows.

He then led more than 30 masked troops to storm the building.

The attack was ordered by home secretary William Whitelaw after six armed Iranian dissidents took over the embassy and shot dead a member of staff before dumping his body outside the building.

Five gunmen were killed and one was arrested. Although one hostage died, 19 were freed.

Siege: John McAleese became an iconic symbol of the SAS after viewers watched him blast open a window during the storming of the Iranian Embassy (pictured)

Mr McAleese received the Military Medal and later co-hosted the BBC TV show SAS: Are You Tough Enough?, which put contestants through the unit’s training regime.

But in 2009 his son, who served with 2nd Battalion The Rifles, was killed by a Taliban bomb in Sangin as he went to the aid of an 18-year-old soldier who had been injured.

Hero: Former SAS member John John MacAleese

Mr McAleese, who was photographed fighting back tears by his son’s coffin, attacked then prime minister Gordon Brown for not sending enough troops to Afghanistan.

As well as Hayley, he leaves daughter Jessica, 22, and son Kieran, 14. His funeral is expected to be held in Hereford, the home of the SAS.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman described him as ‘a hero who served his country bravely in a military career that spanned many years’.

Paul McAleese only got to spend a week with his newborn son before he was sent to Afghanistan.

At his funeral his father, who was divorced from wife Kim Early, said that Paul had told him there were not enough troops to monitor areas cleared of explosives before he died .

His widow spoke movingly about her husband's character.

Talking to 1,000 mourners at Hereford Cathedral, she told the congregation that some had worried when they first got together, because both had such strong personalities.

Grandson: Paul McAleese's widow Joanne, pictured with son Charley at her husband's funeral in 2007



Addressing her late husband she said: 'It turned out Mac, that our match really was made in heaven and we were perfect together.'

An army comrade said at the service: "Mac was destined to serve in the SAS, it was in his blood.