The only person to receive an award from both the British and Argentine governments for saving many of lives during the Falklands War died over the weekend.
I did a 6 month tour in the Falklands back in 2012 (during the 30th anniversary of the conflict). I was 15 when the war took place and it especially resonated with me because my cousin fought on Mt Longdon with 3 Para.
It was my first visit and I made the most of visiting all of the battle sites and areas associated with the conflict.
Longdon was particularly 'special' to me of course, but visiting all of the sites was a totally humbling experience. Not least of all, an arranged visit to the 'farm outhouses' and old refrigeration plant that made up the Field Hospital in Ajax Bay. Here, Surgeon-Captain Jolly led a team that treated both British and Argentinian casualties.
Just incredible, especially when you take into account just how austere the working environment was.
No injured soldier (from either side) who made it to Jolly's field hospital died - all survived - the conditions he and his staff had to work in were not great - some of those injured had terrible life changing wounds (incl I believe SImon Weston) - RIP sir, you are definitely a hero
Yet if you look at the Regis RIP he has 74 comments, while this one has lass than 10 for a true legend and hero
Sadly, to quote the title of another thread, 'an so it ever was.'
I suppose on a football forum it should not come as a surprise that the death of an eminent footballer attracts a lot of comment but your point is a good one.
I read a few books about the Falklands war and Rick Jolly cropped up several times. The survival rate would be amazing in a fully equipped hospital but what he and his team did in makeshift conditions was nothing short of miraculous.
Jolly wrote his own account of the Falklands in a short book that I read years ago and remember being fantastic called (I think) 'The Red and Green life machine '. If I remember correctly I think at one point he and his team carried out surgery in the makeshift hospital with an unexploded bomb in the room next door!
A genuine hero.
Thanks to the OP for this thread as I might have missed his death otherwise.
Comments
RIP
It was my first visit and I made the most of visiting all of the battle sites and areas associated with the conflict.
Longdon was particularly 'special' to me of course, but visiting all of the sites was a totally humbling experience. Not least of all, an arranged visit to the 'farm outhouses' and old refrigeration plant that made up the Field Hospital in Ajax Bay. Here, Surgeon-Captain Jolly led a team that treated both British and Argentinian casualties.
Just incredible, especially when you take into account just how austere the working environment was.
RIP
Ajax Bay in 2012:
RIP
I suppose on a football forum it should not come as a surprise that the death of an eminent footballer attracts a lot of comment but your point is a good one.
RIP Royal Navy Surgeon Captain Rick Jolly.
I'm always impressed by those who can save lives in the most difficult of circumstances, especially war.
RIP
A genuine hero.
Thanks to the OP for this thread as I might have missed his death otherwise.