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Falklands War 'true hero' Captain Rick Jolly dies | Falklands War 'true hero' Captain Rick Jolly dies |
(35 minutes later) | |
A Royal Navy medical officer who saved the lives of hundreds of British and Argentine troops during the Falklands War has died, aged 71. | A Royal Navy medical officer who saved the lives of hundreds of British and Argentine troops during the Falklands War has died, aged 71. |
Working amid terrible conditions in the field, Surgeon Capt Rick Jolly, from Torpoint, Cornwall, saved the life of every British serviceman he treated. | Working amid terrible conditions in the field, Surgeon Capt Rick Jolly, from Torpoint, Cornwall, saved the life of every British serviceman he treated. |
He is the only person to have been decorated by both Britain and Argentina for his service during the conflict. | He is the only person to have been decorated by both Britain and Argentina for his service during the conflict. |
Falklands veteran Simon Weston called him an "incredible man". | Falklands veteran Simon Weston called him an "incredible man". |
He said: "Without his organisational skills the surgeons and medics would never have functioned. I can only thank him for saving my life, and many others. | He said: "Without his organisational skills the surgeons and medics would never have functioned. I can only thank him for saving my life, and many others. |
"It's a tragedy for everyone who knew him and a tragedy especially for his family." | "It's a tragedy for everyone who knew him and a tragedy especially for his family." |
After the war Capt Jolly wrote books and gave lectures to share his experiences from the conflict. | After the war Capt Jolly wrote books and gave lectures to share his experiences from the conflict. |
Known as "Doc", he was the senior medical officer of Plymouth-based 3 Commando Brigade and ran the field hospital at Ajax Bay where around 1,000 troops were treated. | Known as "Doc", he was the senior medical officer of Plymouth-based 3 Commando Brigade and ran the field hospital at Ajax Bay where around 1,000 troops were treated. |
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. | 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. |
'An inspiration' | 'An inspiration' |
The hospital was known as the "red and green life machine" and this became the title of one of his books. | The hospital was known as the "red and green life machine" and this became the title of one of his books. |
He was appointed an OBE by the Queen, and awarded the Orden de Mayo (Order of May) by Argentina for his service during the war. | He was appointed an OBE by the Queen, and awarded the Orden de Mayo (Order of May) by Argentina for his service during the war. |
Surgeon Cmdr Anthony Lambert met him several times, the first time shortly after he returned from the Falklands in 1982. | Surgeon Cmdr Anthony Lambert met him several times, the first time shortly after he returned from the Falklands in 1982. |
He said: "As medics we aren't heroes, we just do our job, but he did his job incredibly well and was an inspiration to my generation". | He said: "As medics we aren't heroes, we just do our job, but he did his job incredibly well and was an inspiration to my generation". |
Tributes on Social media include the Commanding Officer of the Royal Marines 40 Commando who called him a "true hero". | Tributes on Social media include the Commanding Officer of the Royal Marines 40 Commando who called him a "true hero". |
Gulf war veteran John Nichol has also posted on Twitter, calling him "a true hero of 1982 Falklands war". | Gulf war veteran John Nichol has also posted on Twitter, calling him "a true hero of 1982 Falklands war". |
Did you meet him? Please share your memories and photos. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | |
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