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Military Matters
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The Falklands War, the Doctor's story
Posted by Mark 3 Jun 2007
I have worked closely with Dr Rick Jolly for several years now, mostly looking after the on-line Garden of Remembrance where the Falkland's War fallen are remembered. Rick is a remarkable chap, the only person I can identify who has been decorated by both sides in a war, and for the same action. That "action" was saving lives. Rick was the medical officer in charge of what became known as the "Red and Green Life Machine", the mobile surgical hospital established at Ajax Bay during the land phase of the fighting. He didn't personally save all those lives, of course, he is just the "lucky sod" who gets to carry the medals awarded for the dedication and professionalism of those who worked under him under very difficult conditions.
Almost 1000 casualties were treated at Ajax Bay, many is a very serious condition, including that awful day when Sir Galahad was bombed. Despite that, not one British casualty who made it to Ajax Bay alive was lost. Hundreds of Argentine casualties were treated side-by-side with the British, and only two Argentines were lost in this period. Rick had a privileged view of the Falklands War, so his book "The Red and Green Life Machine" is not all about doctors and nurses, it has fascinating insights into many other aspects of the war and I heartily recommend it to you. I am very happy to give it a shameless plug here.
The "Red and Green Life Machine" web site
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