Dr Rick Jolly OBE dies [Archive] - SUBSIM Radio Room Forums

Kapitan

01-13-18, 10:05 AM

Surgeon-Captain Richard Jolly OBE this morning has sadly passed away.

He is noted for his compassion in the Falklands Campaign in 1982 where he treated both British and Argentine casualties.

During a visit in 1998 he had asked the Argentine foreign ministry what had become of the many casualties he had treated during the war, upon finding out about his work during the war Dr Jolly was appointed as an Oficial (Officer) in the Order of May.

Being a foreign decoration, Jolly had to write to Her Majesty the Queen for permission to wear his Order of May award with his other medals, to which she personally authorized him to wear the award "on all occasions"

RIP and condolences to the family

Aktungbby

01-13-18, 01:25 PM

https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article771616.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Rick%20Jolly%20with%20his%20Falkland%20War%20medal s
But just years after being decorated in Britain(OBE), Dr Jolly was handed the equivalent honour in Argentina... for saving the lives of their soldiers too.
As the war raged Dr Jolly’s makeshift hospital in the frontline offered exactly the same level of care to both sides.
Now a week before the 30th anniversary of the start of the war, Dr Jolly’s amazing story of bravery and compassion can be told for the first time.
“Our attitude was simple...to treat the injured Argentinians in a way we would like to be treated,” says Dr Jolly, who insists he was only doing his duty.
“Before the battle of Trafalgar Nelson wrote a prayer in his cabin, saying: ‘May humanity after victory be the predominant feature in the British Fleet.’ As a naval officer those words meant a lot to me so looking after the enemy’s wounded as though they were your own was instinctive.
“Over the years I’ve been asked what I’d do if I had to choose who to treat first, an Argentinian or a Brit. My answer was always whoever needed attention more urgently. As far as I am concerned you have to be able to look into your soul and like what you find there.”
Dr Jolly, the hospital’s senior medical officer, insisted that all his men follow his example. And they were happy to do so, treating the wounded enemy with complete respect as the conflict raged across the Falklands in South Georgia, Goose Green and Port Stanley http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/incredible-story-of-the-falklands-war-hospital-771593 (http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/incredible-story-of-the-falklands-war-hospital-771593)