Sir Galahad was the second of six logistic landing ships ordered for the Army during the 1960's but transferred to the the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 1970. Designed as multi-purpose troop and heavy vehicle carriers, with bow and stern ramps, each vessel displaced 4,500 tons and measured 415 feet in length with a 59 foot beam. All named for knights in the service of the legendary King Arthur, Sir Galahad was built by Stephen's, launched on 19th April 1966 and completed in 1967.

All six ships gave valuable service during the Falklands War in 1982 and Sir Galahad was sent off to Bluff Cove with 16 Field Ambulance R.A.M.C., and various units, including a support company of the 1st Welsh Guards, and large quantities of stores and ammunition. Arriving at her destination early on 8th June, no progress had been made to unload her when, at 13.15hrs., the anchorage was attacked by Argentinian aircraft and Sir Galahad was hit by three 500lb. Bombs. The explosions started massive fires fuelled by ammunition stored in her tank deck and at 14.15hrs. her captain gave the order to 'abandon ship'. Casualties were high, with 50 dead and 57 wounded - many of them terribly burned - and the television footage of the disaster was among the most shocking of the War. Sir Galahad's burned-out hulk was subsequently sunk in deep water as a war grave by H.M. submarine Onyx.