2010 Paulatim Magazine - RAAMC Association

A Combat Medic in Action
In November 2007 I was invited to deliver a presentation to the
attendees of the 2007 NSW Military Health Symposium and again in
2008 on my experiences as a Combat Medic in the British Army.
Due to the response from attendees at these two events I have decided
to put my presentation into print to allow other members of the Corps
to experience what it is like to be a Combat Medic in Action.
My military career in the British Army began in 1977 and over the next
25 years I was to undertake several tours of Germany, Cyprus, Hong
Kong, the Persian Gulf, the Former Republic of Yugoslavia, and various
African countries. I saw Active Service in the Falklands War 1982,
the first Gulf War 1991, and Croatia part of the Former Republic of
Yugoslavia 1992 – 93 as part of the United Nations Protection Force
(UNPROFOR). I was also involved in a number of unspecified
operational tasks both in an operational capacity and in a medical
support capacity.
On completion of my training at Keogh Barracks I was posted to my
first unit in February 1979, 6 Field Force Field Ambulance. This unit was
later renamed 16 Field Ambulance. It was during my service with 16
Field Ambulance that I had my first encounter with Active Service and
experienced combat in April 1982 as a result of the Argentine invasion
of the Falkland Islands.
Combat Medical
Technicians undergoing
casualty management
training.
As we undertook pre-deployment training at Sennybridge in the Brecon
Beacons, Wales, little did we know then that the weather conditions and
the terrain we were training on would be identical to what was to face
us in the South Atlantic. Two weeks (27 Apr) later I deployed with A and
B Sections, 16 Fd Amb on two Townsend Thoresen North Sea Car Ferries
to the South Atlantic as part of the 5 Inf Bde advance party. The
remainder of 5 Inf Bde, including remaining Fd Amb Sects and Dressing
Station, followed 2 weeks later (12 May) on the QE2.
During our journey south we continued training concentrating on
weapon handling live fire and advanced first aid. Replacement medical
sections had to be drawn from the DS element to support Infantry
battalions. This would have dire consequences for two of my mates LCPL
Ian ‘Scouse’ Farrell and PTE Kenneth ‘Kenny’ Preston were destined
never to return to England.
On the 28th May 1982 I landed on the Falkland Islands at a place
called San Carlos, where only a week earlier 21st May British forces
had secured a beachhead with the landings of 40 Commando RM at San
Carlos, 45 Commando RM at Ajax Bay, 2 Para and Sussex Mountains
and 3 Para at Port San Carlos. By the 23rd May the bridgehead was
consolidated with over 5,000 troops dug in around San Carlos. Whilst at
San Carlos the primary role of the medics on the ground was to provide
medical support to several fighting patrols involved in fire fights.
PAULATIM
The Falklands War was a remarkable episode in the history of the three
countries involved in the war, Great Britain, Argentina and the Falkland
Islands.
Medics assisting casualties during a lull in the fighting.
By 27th May 35 more members of the task force were killed. The 27th
May saw the death of eight more RM Commandos and 18 members of
2 Para were killed at the Battle for Goose Green, including the
Commanding Officer LTCOL H Jones who later was to receive a
posthumous Victoria Cross.
The Falkland Islands.
Over the next couple of days 5 Inf Bde consolidated it’s forces at San
PA U L AT I M – M A GAZINE O F T HE R OYA L A U S T R A L I A N A R M Y M E DICAL C O R P S – 2 0 1 0 6 5