Kindness at sea

SIR – In two letters on the same day (June 17) Elizabeth Allum described the wounded soldier’s urge for a cigarette, while Captain Malcolm Farrow highlighted the invaluable service of the Merchant Navy in times of war.

Forty years ago this month, I was serving on the hospital ship Uganda (a requisitioned P&O cruise liner) during the Falklands War. Following attacks on the Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram, on June 9 1982 we admitted 179 patients over a two-hour period. Nearly all had severe burns to their hands and faces. The majority also had nicotine cravings, which they were unable to satisfy due to their injuries.

Uganda had a complement of civilian catering and domestic crew members, mainly from India, who had volunteered to stay onboard following the ship’s requisition. After setting up the extra beds, for days on end these merchant crew members patiently sat alongside soldiers’ beds putting a lit cigarette to their lips.

During my 40 years in the Royal Navy medical service I have seen many sad episodes of death and suffering, but the memory of this act of kindness stills bring a lump to my throat.

Lt Cdr Mark Trasler

Gosport, Hampshire