Rick Jolly (1946–2018)

Having served in one of the three hydrographic survey vessels converted to ambulance ships for the war - I was Supply Officer of HMS Hydra 1980-83 - I should have read this book years ago. What a story and fascinating reading for someone who played a very small part in the great and, untimately, successful Operation Corporate to evict the unwelcome occupiers from the Falkland Islands. Rick Jolly certainly paints a graphic picture of medicine in war and his love of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and the Fleet Air Arm certainly shines through. From the comfort of my London home now, and the relative comfort of my cabin on board a small Royal Navy ship then, it is hard to imagine the setting up of a surgical field hospital in a redundant meat factory from 22 May 1982 and the outstanding work its medics and supporting marines undertook so successfully. It is a tale not often told, a business certainly underestimated by one fortunate enough not to need much from naval surgeons in my career, and one that should be read by anyone interested in naval and military history. I salute those who played a part in the Red and Green Life Machine at Ajax Bay - well done!… (meer)