Doctor for Friend and Foe: Britain's Frontline Medic in the Fight for the Falklands

by Rick Jolly

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.

320 pages, Paperback

Published March 24, 2020

Reviews

[Hannah Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a brilliant read!! Loved the pictures in it too

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant memoir of the Falklands War in 1982 by Rick Jolly, the Senior Medical Officer for 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines. He set up and led the Field Hospital at Ajax Bay, treating British and Argentine casualties and evacuating them to the hospital ships for further treatment and care.

He writes clearly and concisely and with great impact. You get some insight to the emotions of the men working at the Field Hospital as they watch attacks on the ships in Falkland Sound, on the forces around San Carlos, including their unit and as they deal with incoming wounded with limited resources, in far from ideal physical conditions. His dedication to ensuring that everyone who came through was well treated is crystal clear and he was never afraid to take on senior colleagues to challenge ill-thought through ideas.

This edition includes later chapters on his work with the South Atlantic Medal Association to support veterans and to help them with their mental health and on being decorated both by the British and by the Argentinians for his work in treating their military. He is remembered with respect in the Falklands too, where a road in Stanley is named for him.

A really interesting read.

[Sian Vidak · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most life affirming and inspirational book I have read. Rick defines humanity.

In places it was a hard read, but it truly delivered the real life that was experienced.