SAS soldier who led Iranian embassy raid in 1980 dies in Thessaloniki
The British special forces soldier who led the raid that ended the Iranian embassy siege in London in 1980 has died in Thessaloniki, the Foreign Office said on Sunday.
John McAleese, a 60-year-old Scot, died in the northern city on Friday.
He spent 23 years in the British army, 17 of which were in the SAS.
He is best known for leading the televised raid that ended the six-day siege, during which five Iranian separatists and one hostage were killed.
McAleese?s son, Paul, was a sergeant in the British army and was killed in Afghanistan two years ago.
?I am sure the grief and stress he had suffered had a bearing on what has happened,? John McAleese?s daughter, Hayley, told reporters. ?He is now reunited with his son.?
