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June 06, 2006
Isambard in Helmland
Something of a pity for poor Isambard Wilkinson and his Medevac out of Helmland. Got a vicious case of the runs he did.
I was "cas-evaced" - or urgently evacuated - from Camp Bastion, the British desert base in Helmand in southern Afghanistan.
The last Daily Telegraph correspondent to be removed from the field in such a way was airlifted out of the Balkans after being peppered by a Claymore mine. I had a bad dose of the runs.
Not that I went without fuss. Delirious with heatstroke and gastroenteritis, I invoked the spirit of Captain Souter, after whom a coalition HQ in Kabul is named and who was one of six soldiers taken prisoner after the 1842 massacre at Gandamak.
He wrapped his regimental colours around his waist as he was assailed by tribesmen wielding long-barrelled jezails. I gripped my laptop as I sank, shaking feverishly, on to a camp bed.
I’m a little out of touch with younger brother at the moment so I’m not quite certain whether he’s actually taken up his new job. Umm, (cough) in charge of the catering for the troops in Helmland.
June 6, 2006 in The Blogger Himself | Permalink
Comments
Fear naught, Tim,
Izzie says he was suffering from heatstroke. Thanks to the Discovery Channel I now know that one of the side effects of this condition is that the victim's stomach lining becomes porous and all sorts of nasty bugs get into his system, thereby giving him gastro amongst other lurghies. In fact this is what usually kills the patient.
So if Izzie tries to sue the brother Worstall, just advise him to quote the symptoms and effects of heatstroke before implying that Izzie was a bit silly not listening to his army hosts who doubtless warned him about not drinking enough water.
RM
Posted by: The Remittance Man | Jun 6, 2006 1:04:29 PM
