Raleigh stages mock disaster for medics

"CALM down dear, it's just a doll…"

Casualties comfort each other at HMS Raleigh as doctors and medics from across the South West try to deal with a major disaster.

The Torpoint establishment hosted an exercise for the civilian emergency services to hone their skills coping with a large-scale tragedy – in this instance an explosion aboard a ship.

Raleigh’s First Aid school provided the setting as students from the ambulance service and Derriford Hospital were tested on their ability to manage process, assess and ultimately treat a large number of casualties – provided by Raleigh personnel in full make-up (and a bit of dodgy acting…) and would-be paramedics from Plymouth University.

That meant the trainees on the Major Incident Medical Management and Support Course entering smoke-filled compartments, calming the injured down, helping them out, putting some into decontamination tents if necessary, and sorting out a suitable hospital or medical centre for the casualties to be treated at subsequently.

The (fake) bloody exercise was the culmination of three days’ instruction, which is carried out at Derriford’s ambulance training college. Course directors look for a different location for the big exercise – anything from a mock pile-up on the motorway to a disaster in a shopping centre or sports stadium. This time around they plumped for Raleigh.

“We’ve used the facilities at Raleigh before – they are excellent for this type of training and the support we receive from the Royal Navy staff is excellent,” said the course’s clinical tutor Graham Kemp.

For Raleigh personnel this wasn’t purely a chance to don make-up and fool around for a day – there was a serious side to the ‘disaster’.

“For our trainees, the exercise was a great experience as they prepare to qualify as medical assistants,” said PO(MA) Dan Raisbeck.

“The training we provide is as practical as possible to prepare sailors to deal with the worse-case scenarios on board ship or on the battlefield.”

Oscar winning Sir Ben seeks inspiration at HMS Raleigh

ONE of Britain’s greatest actors spent a day at HMS Raleigh as he sought inspiration for a film.

Oscar-winner Sir Ben Kingsley is looking into a Great War project – and was keen to see one of the Torpoint establishment’s most prized possessions to assist his research.

A century ago boy seaman John Travers Cornwell became one of the country’s most celebrated naval heroes and earned a posthumous Victoria Cross for his actions at Jutland in 1916.

The 16-year-old continued to serve at his post aboard HMS Chester despite his gun receiving four direct hits; when the cruiser withdrew from the battle, Cornwell finally received treatment but succumbed to his wounds in hospital in Grimsby two days after the battle.

Although he was originally laid to rest in a common grave in a London cemetery, news of his bravery spread, and a popular clamour for recognition led to Cornwell being re-buried with full military honours, the VC being awarded and court painter Frank Salisbury honouring the boy’s deeds on canvas.

Ninety-five years later that recently-restored painting enjoys pride of place in St Paul’s Church at Raleigh.

The training establishment’s Commanding Officer Capt Steve Murdoch explained how today’s young sailors learn about Cornwell’s dedication and bravery – and hopefully can draw some inspiration from his deeds.

“Jack was just 16 years old when he took part in the battle – and only four weeks out of training.

“As he’s close in age and experience to many of today’s recruits, he’s someone they can identify with – and he’s a fine example of someone who displayed all of the Royal Navy’s values of courage, commitment, discipline, respect and integrity.”

Having spent time in the ‘presence’ of Boy Cornwell, Sir Ben, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Gandhi nearly 30 years ago and has appeared in a string of critically-acclaimed movies including Schindler’s List and the House of Sand and Fog, toured Raleigh’s new heritage centre and witnessed a passing out parade of rookie sailors who’d completed their nine-week basic training.

“The parade and the emotional scenes of pride and achievement will stay with me for a long time,” said Sir Ben.

“The pride and dignity of the recruits – and their friends and relatives – was an indelible image. All this heightened by awareness of Jack Cornwell’s extraordinary courage and sense of duty.”

Capt Steve Murdoch shows Sir Ben Kingsley around Raleigh's new heritage centre. Picture: Dave Sherfield, HMS Raleigh

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