Last night's episode brought it home to me how our society has evolved during the last 50 years. In 1974 while on ops in the Norwegian fjords aboard HMS Hermes, we (845 NAS) lost a Wessex along with its pilot and aircrewman. The next day we had a small dignified memorial service punctuated by an RM bugle Last Post. No one seemed to need counselling, just back to work and crack on.
Last night, we learnt that a junior crew member aboard another ship of the task group (HMS Kent) had taken his own life. Sad yes but this seemed to trigger mass mourning aboard 'Big Liz' even though no one knew the deceased. So the boss suggested that officers and senior rates should look out for anyone that looked as though they might need a hug!
I wonder what folk that went south in 1982 aboard HMS SHEFFIELD, RFA SIR GALAHAD and HMS FEARLESS think about today's Forces?
Getting old!