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Doctor for Friend and Foe: Britain's Frontline Medic in the Fight for the Falklands
Rick Jolly was the Senior Medical Officer in the Falklands, setting up and running the field hospital at Ajax Bay, where he and his Royal Marine and Parachute Regiment medical teams treated a total of 580 casualties, of which only 3 died of wounds. The building itself was a derelict meat-packing factory, hastily converted to treat incoming wounded ? both British and Argentine ? even though two unexploded bombs lay at the back of the building.
Rick's diary of the campaign and its aftermath is a fast-paced and gripping account of war experience that covers the entire conflict from initial preparations and passage to the South Atlantic on the requisitioned liner Canberra to daily action reports, and observations and interaction with the key players of the conflict ? Col. H. Jones, Brian Hanrahan, Julian Thompson and Max Hastings. Incredible human stories abound, as Rick, a trained commando, dangles from the rescue winch of a Sea King helicopter, saving lives on a daily basis. Yet he also confronts death in a thoughtful, reflective and considered way, helping others to deal with the trauma of war.
Now revised and brought fully up to date, this book is a unique first-hand narrative of a conflict that inspired individual and collective heroism among British armed forces, inspiring great pride in 'our boys' by the public back at home, but which also provoked ? and continues to provoke ? fierce debate.
Rick's diary of the campaign and its aftermath is a fast-paced and gripping account of war experience that covers the entire conflict from initial preparations and passage to the South Atlantic on the requisitioned liner Canberra to daily action reports, and observations and interaction with the key players of the conflict ? Col. H. Jones, Brian Hanrahan, Julian Thompson and Max Hastings. Incredible human stories abound, as Rick, a trained commando, dangles from the rescue winch of a Sea King helicopter, saving lives on a daily basis. Yet he also confronts death in a thoughtful, reflective and considered way, helping others to deal with the trauma of war.
Now revised and brought fully up to date, this book is a unique first-hand narrative of a conflict that inspired individual and collective heroism among British armed forces, inspiring great pride in 'our boys' by the public back at home, but which also provoked ? and continues to provoke ? fierce debate.
428 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 21, 1983
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 22, 2018
This book was recommended to me by a fellow local military historian, an ex Colonel in the Royal Artillery who served in Korea. It had been sitting on the shelf, but on hearing the sad news that Rick Jolly had passed away on 6 January, I took it down to read. A wonderful insight into battlefield medical experience in the Falklands War by a naval reserve surgeon. An admirable man. I am a great fan of the fictional naval surgeon Stephen Maturin, but felt humbled to read of the work of a real-life doctor who worked so hard to save lives, along with his team.
January 16, 2022
I served with Rick in the Falklands and later at Culdrose (HMS Seahawk). He was a 'can do' officer and highly respected in the service. His book is an accurate description of the events that occurred. As a result of his actions at Ajax Bay, there was a major review of medical services in forward areas of operations, resulting in the formation of SST's (Surgical Support Teams) which later evolved into MERT (Medical Emergency Response Teams), in more recent times. I like to think that he made a contribution to that process and see it as his legacy.
May 24, 2025
This is the first book I have read since school. It made me laugh and cry and admire what they went through. Really got me hooked straight away!
July 1, 2018
Very inspiring. Fascinating insight into Rick Jolly's experience in the Falklands and its aftermath and the difference one man can make. Packed with courage, humanity and thought for others.
In just one of many stirring incidents, Jolly writes of how the enormous task of evacuating 170 casualties after the Sir Galahad bombing was achieved, when due to the imminent final offensive he was told no helicopters could be spared to take the wounded from his field hospital in a disused mutton refrigerator at Ajax Bay to the waiting hospital ship Uganda. Having a professional, well known and clearly well respected marine on the ground able to persuade an old friend from the Fleet Air Arm to spread the word to the pilots directly that if they could manage any spare fuel and time at the end of their missions there were many, severely wounded men in need of their help was clearly crucial for those young Welsh guards. Typical to Jolly he is quick to give credit to a young assistant junior chef from the commandeered P&O vessel Uganda who's thoughtfulness in rushing out to make sure every pilot was given bacon sandwiches and coffee while his helicopter was unloaded as the true decisive factor! Another example of one man making a difference.
What makes this book such a pleasure to read alongside the stirring, heroic story itself is Jolly's personal sense of honour and his recognition of it in the Argentinian soldiers, sailors, pilots and medics he encounters describing how the Geneva convention was strictly applied by both sides.
Warning - somewhat gruesome.
In just one of many stirring incidents, Jolly writes of how the enormous task of evacuating 170 casualties after the Sir Galahad bombing was achieved, when due to the imminent final offensive he was told no helicopters could be spared to take the wounded from his field hospital in a disused mutton refrigerator at Ajax Bay to the waiting hospital ship Uganda. Having a professional, well known and clearly well respected marine on the ground able to persuade an old friend from the Fleet Air Arm to spread the word to the pilots directly that if they could manage any spare fuel and time at the end of their missions there were many, severely wounded men in need of their help was clearly crucial for those young Welsh guards. Typical to Jolly he is quick to give credit to a young assistant junior chef from the commandeered P&O vessel Uganda who's thoughtfulness in rushing out to make sure every pilot was given bacon sandwiches and coffee while his helicopter was unloaded as the true decisive factor! Another example of one man making a difference.
What makes this book such a pleasure to read alongside the stirring, heroic story itself is Jolly's personal sense of honour and his recognition of it in the Argentinian soldiers, sailors, pilots and medics he encounters describing how the Geneva convention was strictly applied by both sides.
Warning - somewhat gruesome.
April 19, 2018
I picked up my copy of this Falklands War book after hearing of the recent death of its author, Rick Jolly. I'd purchased the book not long after its release, which was itself a short time after the end of the war. Having read it almost 36 years ago, it was a good exercise to reacquaint myself with the story of the key British military aid station during the Falklands War, and the people who served or were treated in it.
The book is short and to the point, reflecting both the basis of the narrative form (Jolly's diaries) and the professionalism and military precision of Jolly as an author. At times he does extend his prose beyond descriptions of kit, marines, paras, medical procedures etc., and gives the reader something more emotional or more picturesque to relate to. Jolly doesn't betray any sentimentality or false feelings; he reconciles the horrible nature of war with his own desire to see the 'job' done, whether that be to save lives (British or Argentine) or help make sure the war is won through his actions and those of his unit.
Perhaps the most problematic aspect of the book is that the reader is confronted by a plethora of military terms and numerous figures who are barely sketched in as participants in the narrative. It may be observed that this reflects the actual nature of the 'Red and Green Life Machine', with the emphasis on the machine-like functioning of Jolly's unit. Yes, there are times when humour or other aspects of humanity underscore or even dominate Jolly's writing. However these are not foci of his experiences that Jolly is really writing about; he has taken his diary with its factual agenda and extended its brief to include the vagaries of the people and circumstances he was dealing with.
I believe it is fair to say that this book does not set out to expunge horrible memories of the insane cruelty of war. It may even be argued (though I don't believe this to be the case) that Jolly writes with some degree of triumphalism. There are times when he does air his or his colleagues' desires to defeat the Argentines. However they are overshadowed by the deeds of Jolly and his men in helping the wounded enemy as best as they could.
Ultimately 'The Red & Green Life Machine' is an uncompromising and professional account of a military unit and its men, 'fighting' a war that has no real moral challenges aside from how to deal with the lost lives of the battle casualties that couldn't be saved. Don't expect a non-fiction version of 'MASH'; this is a really solid personal history of a marine surgeon who made sure that the Falklands War didn't claim any lives that he and his men could save.
The book is short and to the point, reflecting both the basis of the narrative form (Jolly's diaries) and the professionalism and military precision of Jolly as an author. At times he does extend his prose beyond descriptions of kit, marines, paras, medical procedures etc., and gives the reader something more emotional or more picturesque to relate to. Jolly doesn't betray any sentimentality or false feelings; he reconciles the horrible nature of war with his own desire to see the 'job' done, whether that be to save lives (British or Argentine) or help make sure the war is won through his actions and those of his unit.
Perhaps the most problematic aspect of the book is that the reader is confronted by a plethora of military terms and numerous figures who are barely sketched in as participants in the narrative. It may be observed that this reflects the actual nature of the 'Red and Green Life Machine', with the emphasis on the machine-like functioning of Jolly's unit. Yes, there are times when humour or other aspects of humanity underscore or even dominate Jolly's writing. However these are not foci of his experiences that Jolly is really writing about; he has taken his diary with its factual agenda and extended its brief to include the vagaries of the people and circumstances he was dealing with.
I believe it is fair to say that this book does not set out to expunge horrible memories of the insane cruelty of war. It may even be argued (though I don't believe this to be the case) that Jolly writes with some degree of triumphalism. There are times when he does air his or his colleagues' desires to defeat the Argentines. However they are overshadowed by the deeds of Jolly and his men in helping the wounded enemy as best as they could.
Ultimately 'The Red & Green Life Machine' is an uncompromising and professional account of a military unit and its men, 'fighting' a war that has no real moral challenges aside from how to deal with the lost lives of the battle casualties that couldn't be saved. Don't expect a non-fiction version of 'MASH'; this is a really solid personal history of a marine surgeon who made sure that the Falklands War didn't claim any lives that he and his men could save.
December 20, 2023
A simple but readable account of the Ajax Bay field hospital during the Falklands War. I think it skims over some of the realities in favour of emphasizing the more jolly (pun intended) aspects and I'd have liked more detail on how they actually managed feats like 40 surgeries in 24 hours. I am also amazed at the number of times they managed to open a bottle of champage/rum/vodka to celebrate something - who on earth was packing all this stuff for a war?
December 27, 2018
A lively first-hand account of a conflict that had me mesmerized as a pre-teen. Humanity in adversity... especially good to learn of the veterans meeting later. If only they could grow old and meet first... wars would be lesser!
May 10, 2021
Quite a fun and interesting read from a unique perspective of the war. I can't imagine being in that situation. However the book lost a star because he did the classic thing of presenting the junior ranks and ratings as being like 'oi guvnor' cartoon people
September 1, 2024
This is what preparation for war, and the war itself look like to military staff when a human life really is the main treasure for the country and its government. I do wish these practices were implemented in Ukraine, it would have saved so many lives.
January 4, 2022
Excellent book, graphically tells of the desperate struggle to save lives on the frontline of a war zone.
January 13, 2019
Fascinating read for its variety
This book is an easy read. What makes it most fascinating is the contrast between the big picture logistics of running a hospital in a remote place and the very human stories Jolly tells.
There is a touch of the boys-own adventure about the writing but the success of the operation makes this understandable.
A fascinating insight into a corner of the Falklands conflict.
This book is an easy read. What makes it most fascinating is the contrast between the big picture logistics of running a hospital in a remote place and the very human stories Jolly tells.
There is a touch of the boys-own adventure about the writing but the success of the operation makes this understandable.
A fascinating insight into a corner of the Falklands conflict.
February 14, 2017
Fascinating and quite well written. The most moving passage for me was the account of The Red and Green Life Machine's management of the Sir Galahad which ends with the author stating, "But by God, they were brave" about the walking wounded. This from a man who lead a team working in close proximity to two large UXBs! Rick Jolly visited Liverpool Medical Students Society with his touring presentation and may well have influenced my joining the ranks of Light Blue; ultimately then, my meeting Simon at RAF St Mawgan. The rest as they say is history.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews