NOTES FROM PENARTH PEERS WI MEETING AUGUST 10th 2022
We had an absolutely marvellous talk by Lt. Col. Caroline Whittaker (Rtd ) RRC Ost and she called it "A Soldiers Journey" and what a journey!!
Caroline had been in the Army Reserve Nurses for 36 years. She had been posted to Iraq, Bosnia and Afghanistan. Her talk was mostly about Afghanistan and how the army looked after it’s soldiers - and even the Dogs.
She explained that Camp Bastion in Afghanistan was 35 kilometres wide and she and her Nurses looked after all the medical needs of the British Army there and to keep them well, as medical health was most important. There were 10 Field Hospitals and 2regular hospitals. Although they were in the medical reserves they had to train and carry the same heavy equipment that regular soldiers have to do - in other words carrying a heavy back pack with protective kit weighing 60 lbs including 12 rounds of ammunition for 8 hours.
She also said they were trying to improve the kit the women had instead of them having to adapt the kit designed for men.!! They were constantly trying to improve the kit for both men and women and especially trying to improve kit and medical care from ballast.
Caroline was trying to give an insight into her daily life and all the pre deployment training they have to have. She then said how well the dogs were treated as they were soldiers too. If the dog and his handler dies both the dog and handlers ashes are taken back to U.K. If anyone is hurt in the field they are taken to the field hospital first then assessed and if they need more assistance the helicopters will come and take them back to Camp Bastion and if further medical treatment is required they will be sent home via Dubai and then to their hospital in Birmingham to get well again - which often takes a long time to be rehabilitated.
Caroline said that the soldiers get very regular mail and the dogs loads of treats plus the actual food prepared for all was fantastic. There is always a Padre on base. She kept stressing how important hygiene was in war zones to keep infection at bay.
Her talk was so inspiring and she was such a fantastic speaker and no one wanted her to finish. Rosemary gave a vote of thanks to her which everyone agreed was well deserved.
Tea and cakes were served by Joyce Stent, Brenda Gibbins and Audrey Henwood who were the tea ladies this month and the raffle was drawn also and around 9 pm the meeting was closed.
.
We had an absolutely marvellous talk by Lt. Col. Caroline Whittaker (Rtd ) RRC Ost and she called it "A Soldiers Journey" and what a journey!!
Caroline had been in the Army Reserve Nurses for 36 years. She had been posted to Iraq, Bosnia and Afghanistan. Her talk was mostly about Afghanistan and how the army looked after it’s soldiers - and even the Dogs.
She explained that Camp Bastion in Afghanistan was 35 kilometres wide and she and her Nurses looked after all the medical needs of the British Army there and to keep them well, as medical health was most important. There were 10 Field Hospitals and 2regular hospitals. Although they were in the medical reserves they had to train and carry the same heavy equipment that regular soldiers have to do - in other words carrying a heavy back pack with protective kit weighing 60 lbs including 12 rounds of ammunition for 8 hours.
She also said they were trying to improve the kit the women had instead of them having to adapt the kit designed for men.!! They were constantly trying to improve the kit for both men and women and especially trying to improve kit and medical care from ballast.
Caroline was trying to give an insight into her daily life and all the pre deployment training they have to have. She then said how well the dogs were treated as they were soldiers too. If the dog and his handler dies both the dog and handlers ashes are taken back to U.K. If anyone is hurt in the field they are taken to the field hospital first then assessed and if they need more assistance the helicopters will come and take them back to Camp Bastion and if further medical treatment is required they will be sent home via Dubai and then to their hospital in Birmingham to get well again - which often takes a long time to be rehabilitated.
Caroline said that the soldiers get very regular mail and the dogs loads of treats plus the actual food prepared for all was fantastic. There is always a Padre on base. She kept stressing how important hygiene was in war zones to keep infection at bay.
Her talk was so inspiring and she was such a fantastic speaker and no one wanted her to finish. Rosemary gave a vote of thanks to her which everyone agreed was well deserved.
Tea and cakes were served by Joyce Stent, Brenda Gibbins and Audrey Henwood who were the tea ladies this month and the raffle was drawn also and around 9 pm the meeting was closed.
.