He removed the identity tag from an enemy soldier on the battle field in the Falkland Islands 33 years ago.
Since then it has remained in his drawer at home but now an Angus veteran of the conflict will finally send the symbolic tag back to the fallen man’s family in Argentina.
Graham Ellis, from Kirkton of Auchterhouse, on the outskirts of Dundee, removed the tag from Assistant Sergeant Ramon Gumersindo Acosta after he was killed by a mortar blast following the Battle of Two Sisters in June 1982.
A 20-year-old member of Arbroath-based 45 Commando at the time, Mr Ellis and his unit had been ordered to remove the tags from the bodies of dead Argentine soldiers for identification by the Red Cross.
When his patrol came under attack, he placed the identity tag of Sgt Acosta in his pocket and only discovered it on his return to Britain.
Mr Ellis told The Courier in 2012 that he had hoped to be able to return the tag to mark the 30th anniversary of the conflict but it remained in his drawer.
However, Jose Martin Ostuvald, who was a comrade of Sgt Acosta’s, got in touch with The Courier after coming across our story online and asked to make contact on behalf of the family.
Now the tag will finally leave Scotland and be returned to Argentina to the family of Sgt Acosta who was a national hero in his homeland.
In his native town of Jess Mara in the province of Crdoba, there is a street that bears his name.
Mr Ellis said he has nothing but admiration for the man whose tag he possesses. He said: “While it is of no intrinsic value it is very symbolic. I look forward to returning it to Sgt Acosta’s family.”
The Battle of Two Sisters took place over two days in June as British forces advanced towards Port Stanley, the capital of the Falklands.
Despite holding superior positions over 45 Commando, the largely-conscript Argentine troops were heavily outnumbered.
Mr Ostuvald said: “Ramn Gumersindo Acosta was an outstanding member of the National Gendarmerie Argentina.
“By its action in the Falklands War he received the Medal Killed in Combat.
“For all families of fallen soldiers at war, retrieving items that belonged to them is an act of high sentimental value.
“His family and all his comrades of the National Gendarmerie Argentina deeply wished it to be returned.
“We are very grateful to Mr Ellis.”