I suspect that I won't get a fly past when I go.

Excerpt from my invitation to Surgeon Captain Rick Jolly's funeral on Saturday. The only man to be decorated by both sides in the Falklands War. A true hero, a man I am very proud to have called a friend and a man I held in esteem like no other.

Sequence of events
12:47 Congregation seated
12:52 Arrival of Hearse
13:02 Procession enters St Paul’s church – service begins
13:55 Funeral ends, bearer party leaves, relations leave followed by supporters, VIPs and the rest of the congregation. Please wait to be directed.
14:10 approx - Fly Past
14:12 Hearse departs
14:20 Reception commences in Jutland Block, HMS Raleigh Club
16:00 Reception ends
16:30 Guests to be clear of HMS Raleigh

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obitu ... 84091.html

His service saving lives in the Falklands conflict is an exemplary definition of a 'war hero.' RIP.

Very well said.

Just read the obituary....the word Hero is thrown about willy nilly....but this man was/is a Real Hero!!!!
R.I.P. Sir.

That’s a shock. How old was he?

Going to order his book. What a story...a true hero.

A true leader not like the rabble we have running the country. R.I.P.

The thing with Rick is he had a way of leadership that can't be learned. There was a deep kindness in him that made you know he cared. He didn't usually have to say much either. That said, he was a hell of a raconteur.

As an personal example without getting too Uncle Albert hopefully... on June 8th 1982 the Sir Galahad was hit by two Argentine Skyhawks which led to nearly 50 dead and a multitude of horrific burns. This was the event that injured Simon Weston. I happened to be at Ajax Bay at the time, I had gone back for something or other, to help with an ammunition resupply I seem to remember.

While I was there the injured started arriving by helicopter so obviously it was all hands to the pumps. I was helping unload stretcher after stretcher for several hours and I'm not ashamed to say that the sights and smells were getting to me as these poor lads came in horrendously burned. I didn't know Rick Jolly from Adam at the time but he spotted that I was struggling. He came over to me, and put his arm round my shoulder and did a little wry smile and cocked his head. Then he said; a lot of these guys will survive and you will have played a part in that. It's tough but you can do it. Simple words but his manner and what he said kept me upright.

I've got to know him a lot better in the past 15 years and he is universally admired and loved throughout the Falkland veterans community on both sides.

He was right incidentally. Every one of those guys who made it into Rick's field hospital lived.

71 I believe Snowy.

It's probably not constitutional but if ever a guy deserved a state funeral, it's this fella.
Rest In Peace.

R.I.P

Make.s you proud to be British.

TY Mr I

560 in the church and thousands outside.

A great and fitting turnout.

A fine tribute today for this man. The turnout was fantastic with some big names like General Sir Julian Thompson and representitives of royalty. The most poignant moment for me was the arrival of a group of Argentine veterans that Rick and his guys had treated. 10'000 miles is a lot of respect. Rest in Peace Sir.

Impressive that. Utmost respect to anyone who puts their life on the line for their country.

What a magnificent contribution I watched and listened all night to BBC after the Sir Galahad was hit. It is great to read such respects . RIP and condolences to his family.