Thoroughly good egg. Ex soldier. Interests: colour; decoration; music; the military & 20th British art (especially Robert Bevan and Stanisława de Karłowska)
I heard a lovely anecdote today about Sir Alex Younger, the former head of MI6, who has died at the age of 62.
Around the time the James Bond film “Spectre” was coming out, there was a private viewing at MI6’s HQ in Vauxhall with some of the production team and actors, including Ralph Fiennes.
Alex Younger compared the event, which included an opportunity for members of the audience (who were largely real life spies) to quiz the actors and producers.
One person asked Ralph Fiennes: Who was your favourite Bond?
He gave an answer about how they were all good, but his favourite was Daniel Craig. The rest of the team said similar.
Then Alex threw the question back to the person in the audience who had posed it, asking them who their favourite Bond was.
But before this person had time to give an answer, someone else in the audience shouted out: “You, sir!”
The individual (a former diplomat) who shared this story with me said it was one of so many examples of how admired, liked and respected Alex was by his colleagues.
“He was one of the best chiefs”.
🪂Three FANYs have completed the tough two-week French Paratroopers Course in ETAP (@ecoledestap), Pau, and have earned their ‘brevet’ (wings).
https://t.co/iorzd69Bo1
EL INGLES CONDECORADO POR ARGENTINA
El Cirujano Capitán Rick Jolly, médico de la Royal Navy, se convirtió en uno de los oficiales médicos más respetados en la historia militar británica y el único militar de la Guerra de las Malvinas en ser condecorado tanto por Gran Bretaña como Argentina.
En 1982 estaba sirviendo como Oficial Médico Superior de la Brigada de Comando, responsable del apoyo médico de miles de Marines Reales y soldados desplegados en el Atlántico Sur.
Durante la Guerra de las Malvinas, Jolly estableció y comandó el hospital de campaña en la bahía de Ajax, alojado dentro de una planta de refrigeración en desuso en San Carlos. Trabajando bajo presión constante, a menudo con suministros limitados y bajo la amenaza de un ataque aéreo argentino, Jolly y su equipo atendieron a más de 1.000 heridos, incluyendo alrededor de 300 heridos argentinos.
Notablemente, de las 580 bajas en batalla británicas que llegaron vivas a la bahía de Ajax, sólo tres murieron después y ninguna murió bajo el cuidado directo de Jolly. Amigos y enemigos recibieron el mismo trato, ganándose el respeto de todos los que pasaron por el hospital.
Por sus acciones durante la campaña, Rick Jolly fue nombrado Oficial de la Orden del Imperio Británico (OBE). Años después, el gobierno argentino se enteró de cuántos de sus soldados habían sobrevivido a causa del trabajo realizado en la bahía de Ajax.
En 1999, le otorgaron la Orden de Mayo, uno de los más altos honores de Argentina. Esto lo convirtió en el único veterano de la Guerra de las Malvinas en ser condecorado oficialmente por ambas partes del conflicto. Cuando pidió permiso a la reina Isabel II para llevar la medalla argentina, ella personalmente aprobó la solicitud.
Jolly permaneció en la Royal Navy hasta 1996, retirándose como capitán cirujano después de 24 años de servicio. Al jubilarse se convirtió en un apasionado defensor de los veteranos, ayudando a fundar la Asociación de la Medalla del Atlántico Sur y haciendo campaña por un mayor reconocimiento del trastorno de estrés postraumático entre ex militares y mujeres.
También escribió varios libros, incluyendo The Red and Green Life Machine, que sigue siendo uno de los relatos de primera mano más importantes de las operaciones médicas durante la Guerra de las Malvinas.
El cirujano capitán Rick Jolly murió el 13 de enero de 2018 a la edad de 71 años. Su legado perdura no sólo a través de los cientos de vidas que ayudó a salvar sino a través del ejemplo que dio de profesionalismo, coraje y humanidad en la guerra.
En un conflicto definido por la valentía en tierra, mar y aire, Rick Jolly demostró que a veces el mayor acto de servicio no es quitar vida sino preservarla
19th May, 2008
Trooper James Thompson, aged 27 from Whitley Bay, of 5th Scottish Regiment Battle Group and 23 SAS, was killed by an IED blast whilst on operations in Musa Qaleh, Helmand Province
Lest we Forget this brave man, the 1st SAS man killed in Afghanistan 🏴�� 🇬🇧
80 combat sorties. 'I'm no ruddy hero' he said. 104 years old with no surviving relatives to attend his funeral, which is at Bodmin Crematorium tomorrow at 11.30. Please spread the word it's the least we can do 🙏🇬🇧 https://t.co/DdyxJWq3hV
People don't realise Rhodesia built a horse cavalry unit in 1975. yeah, horses, in the helicopter era. the army mocked them as "donkey wallopers". ironically that joke unit was one of the most effective and only lost 9 men in the entire war. insane to think about.
Today we are proud to recognise David Bird on his 70th birthday.
David served for over 22 years in the Armed Forces, including serving with the SAS in Northern Ireland and during the First Gulf War. Following his military career, he continued to dedicate his life to keeping others safe through his work in complex and high-risk environments around the world.
David’s commitment, courage and professionalism have left a lasting impact on many people and communities throughout his life and career.
David is currently facing one of the greatest battles of his life as he lives with acute dementia. His family wanted to mark this special birthday by recognising the remarkable man, veteran, husband, father and grandfather that so many people know and respect.
With warm wishes from everyone at the Veterans' Foundation, we thank David for his service and wish him a very happy 70th birthday.
If you’re at a loose end on Wed 20 May then I’m in conversation with the gallant Tyneside flyer @JohnNicholRAF about his excellent new book ‘Blitz: When WW2 Came Home’ at @theexchange1856 in North Shields. Ticket details here via @ForumBooks https://t.co/idFOEMaK16
@northumbriana@cityoflondon@CityPolice Thanks Dan. It's most odd. He wears this a lot. I don't know of a connection. Maybe he just has remarkably good taste.
This and another disappeared from our village churchyard on Salisbury Plain a few years ago. Hitherto thought to be no photo record, until this discovered recently. Please repost. It’s just possible that…
@RepPatHarrigan is 100% right. The retrospective application of the 1998 UK Human Rights Act to historical NI “cases” is an ideologically-driven witch hunt by @UKLabour
The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeths' Own) was formed by an amalgamation of the 9th/12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales's) and the Queen's Royal Lancers on 2 May 2015.
The weather was appalling but it was a memorable event.