Surgeon Captain Rick Jolly OBE dies

[Ninja_Stoker]

A great loss of a truly remarkable chap who inspired many Naval medics and epitomosed the qualities of a Royal Navy Commando.

Like many at the time, I was surprised he did not earn greater recognition for helping lead a medical team so successfully under particularly difficult conditions actually ashore in the Falklands whilst the battles raged. He was however recognised by Argentina, who's casualties he treated with equal professional medical care.

This is the first media acknowledgement I could find and it is a bit disappointing the BBC have still not at least made reference online: Falklands war hero surgeon has died aged 71 | Daily MailOnline

 

[Ninja_Stoker]

There's a brief account of a rescue he conducted after HMS Ardent was hit and sinking during the South Atlantic conflict.

Why a Surgeon Commander did an aircrewman's job and twice recovered casualties from the freezing water without an immersion suit, I'll never know, but without people like him, the world will be a poorer place: http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/falklands-war-hero-who-saved-1061956.amp

 

[Rover]

Members of the armed forces community across the world have paid tribute to war hero Rick Jolly who died this weekend.

The passing of Captain Surgeon Jolly OBE at his home near Torpoint aged 71 has prompted an outpouring of grief and kind words for the former medical officer.

Jolly became a national hero during the Falklands War after setting up a field hospital and treating both British and Argentinian wounded. Not one man died under his care and he was uniquely honoured for his service by both countries.

Jolly visited Argentina in 1998 and asked the authorities what had become of the Argentian casualties he treated. It was only then that the Argentine Foreign Ministry realised their men had been cared for by British medics. As a result Dr Jolly was appointed as an Oficial (Officer) in the Order of May in recognition of his outstanding work in saving the lives of many wounded Argentine soldiers and airmen.


The British and Commonwealth Military Facebook page announced Jolly's passing, and wrote in a touching post: 'It is with great regret and sadness that we inform you that Surgeon Captain Rick Jolly passed away in his sleep this morning.

'Sue his wife is obviously devastated. His friends don't know if there will be a private or public farewell to this great man, truly heart breaking.'

http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/outpouring-tributes-falklands-war-hero-1061990

Prior to the Falklands 'The Doc' was also the Medical Officer for 42 Cdo on a tour in NI. During that time he built up a rather impressive slide show of various injuries that could be encountered by those on the ground. A good insight for those on their first operational tour.

RIP Sir

 

[Caversham]

He wrote a really great book called The Red and Green Life Machine about the work of his RAP in the Falklands. As @Rover mentions, not one casualty who entered the building died in his care. All the more remarkable, as there was two UXBs next to where he was operating!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Red-Green-...51&sr=1-1&keywords=red+and+green+life+machine

An inspirational man. RIP Sr.

Alan

 

[Rover]

 

[Ninja_Stoker]

The BBC finally got there:

I saw this on the BBC, late as usual, and thought you should see it:

Falklands War 'true hero' Captain Rick Jolly dies - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-42682005

 

[Chelonian]

Without doubt he is a man who deserves more public recognition than that attributed to the so-called celebrities which dominate modern UK media space. RIP.

 

["Crikey mate"]

Captain Rick Jolly is the definition of a hero! May he rest in peace.

Great documentary on him and other medics in the Falklands war I saw recently, made me very emotional

"Despite the poor conditions, only three of the 580 British soldiers and Royal Marines wounded in action were to die of their wounds, and none while under his care."

 

[03092014]

It's a sad state of affairs when this man is only given an OBE for his efforts yet the likes of Nick Clegg can pick up a knighthood.

 

[GreyWing]

It's a sad state of affairs when this man is only given an OBE for his efforts yet the likes of Nick Clegg can pick up a knighthood.

Totally agreed. There must come a point where the honours system because worthless as they pin it to more and more donkeys.

 

[03092014]

Totally agreed. There must come a point where the honours system because worthless as they pin it to more and more donkeys.

To a large extent I think it all ready has. Look at the state after the Olympics.

 

[Ninja_Stoker]

A bit more: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jan/14/falklands-hero-surgeon-rick-jolly-dies-aged-71

 

[Ninja_Stoker]

If you read no other obituary on Rick Jolly, the one in the Times is pretty good & not behind the paywall: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/...6?shareToken=d41609d2dfa529662097ea6f96beb0b9

 

[Mr S]

Was chatting to my son about him on Friday.

RIP Sir

 

[Rover]

Taken from a post on Navy Net......

1. 
   Rick Jolly was known to an Army contact of mine from another FB page. He knew him from NI and so he took the trouble to inform the Argentinian Embassy about his passing. He was happy that I should share the very respectful response he received from both the Ambassador and their Defence Attache.
   
   "Thanks for letting me know that Surgeon Captain Richard Tadeusz Jolly, OBE, MVO, Oficial Orden de Mayo passed away yesterday, the 13th of January. I appreciate the information related to his courageous, humanitarian and very professional attitude during the war in 1982. Certainly, was a man of principles, strong values and codes that everyone who met him and the ones who are aware of (like me right know thanks to you) his attitude during the conflict will lament and feel sorry for his dead.
   Receiving the Orden de Mayo by the Argentine State, as was his case, is an important recognition and highlight the contributions that he has made for my country and its people.
   Please, as his colleague and close to his family, please accept my condolences and the ones from the Argentine Embassy in London.
   In the meantime, I will be asking my defence attaché to pass the current message to our Liaisons at the Minister of Defence and a formal statement will be issue shortly,
   Sincerely,
   Carlos."
   
   SONAR-BENDER, Yesterday at 10:44 PM
   
   
   

 

[Ninja_Stoker]

Taken from a post on Navy Net......

1. 
   Rick Jolly was known to an Army contact of mine from another FB page. He knew him from NI and so he took the trouble to inform the Argentinian Embassy about his passing. He was happy that I should share the very respectful response he received from both the Ambassador and their Defence Attache.
   
   "Thanks for letting me know that Surgeon Captain Richard Tadeusz Jolly, OBE, MVO, Oficial Orden de Mayo passed away yesterday, the 13th of January. I appreciate the information related to his courageous, humanitarian and very professional attitude during the war in 1982. Certainly, was a man of principles, strong values and codes that everyone who met him and the ones who are aware of (like me right know thanks to you) his attitude during the conflict will lament and feel sorry for his dead.
   Receiving the Orden de Mayo by the Argentine State, as was his case, is an important recognition and highlight the contributions that he has made for my country and its people.
   Please, as his colleague and close to his family, please accept my condolences and the ones from the Argentine Embassy in London.
   In the meantime, I will be asking my defence attaché to pass the current message to our Liaisons at the Minister of Defence and a formal statement will be issue shortly,
   Sincerely,
   Carlos."
   
   SONAR-BENDER, Yesterday at 10:44 PM
   

An excellent response, testimony to the high regard in which he is still held.

The Times obitury (above) makes reference to him telling Marines & Paras to stop winding each other up whilst under his care. He said something like "You can pack in this tribal nonsense now".

They did.

 

[The guide]

A man decorated by both the countries in the conflict - the only one as well - sat through loads of great presentations with this man , he and his teams work paved the way for the evolution of many medical treatments , One of the big one,s is the treatment of hypothermic (cold) and hypotensive (low blood pressure) patients which is still generating debate / new skills now.

Can only agree about the honors piece above.!!

 

[Chelonian]

A fine audio obituary for Rick Jolly was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 this afternoon. It contains comments from Simon Weston and Julian Thompson. Now on BBC Radio iPlayer. The feature about Rick Jolly is close to the start of the programme.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09m198v

 

[Rover]

https://www.forces.net/news/captain...-falklands-war-medic-who-saved-hundreds-lives

 

[Ninja_Stoker]

https://www.forces.net/news/captain...-falklands-war-medic-who-saved-hundreds-lives

Excellent. Thanks for posting @Rover.

Really good to hear recounted one of Surgeon Captain Rick Jolly's many notable life achievements in the video clips. A larger than life character, the likes of whom I doubt we'll see repeated.