Blood for the Baron!

.No one famous, but of interest to those in the military.

Sam was a Consultant in Transfusion Medicine and Director of East of Scotland Blood Transfusion Service, Ninewells Hospital. He was also in the ARmy Reserve and commanded 225 GS Medical Regiment and 205 Field Hospital. Most importantly he was Defence Consulatant Advisor - Transfusion and NATO Consultant Advisor - Transfusion, it was in these roles he excelled. His work on massive transfusion protocols and polytrauma management have saved countless lives on operations in Iraq and Afghanastan also here in Tayside. He was deployed on Op Telic 1 and then spent the next 10 years in and out of both theatres.

He was bold with his advice and treatment, he would often go in to theatre to help manage the worst cases. You were always glad to have him on call with you.

He also helped me a great deal both at work and with the RAF. When I was in bother in 2004 he stepped in to help and I'm sure he helped lessen the blow to my career. In 2006 when I failed an RAF medical and had to go for scans at Ninewells, the doctors in the Radiology department made a sweeping statement that I may have cancer based on an ultrasound. I went back to the lab after this and spoke to Sam about it, he asked for my permission to intervene he went down to Radiology and arranged an MRI for me the next morning - all clear for cancer but a medical down grade due to a Gall Stone.

Sam had also served on Op Granby and had really struggled with PTSD since Granby and after Telic.

In June last year he collapsed with what turned out to be a brain tumour.

Stand Easy Boss, your fight is over.

Sorry to hear, mate, sounds like he was a big influence.

Sorry to hear this. Like Chopper said, pretty clear he was a big influence.

Thanks lads he was a brilliant bloke

I'm really sorry for your loss.

My cndolences, Paul

Sounds like he was a top bloke, Paul, my condolences.

Hello, its the switchboard - Code Red ETA 25 minutes

Code Red, a poly trauma transfused in the field requiring more blood, plasma and platelets on arrival in A&E. This procedure allowed the casualty to arrive in the hospital and be stabalised on the way to scan.

Sam put this in place and it has saved many lives, some were to far gone to help. Those words get the adrenaline pumping but they get you ahead of the game.

Inter Service banter always played a part as well, he always forgot his pen when signing reports in the lab. I would always hand him and RAF pen, he would always through it straight back at me.

Sounds like a great man.

Give it a week or two (or admittedly maybe a bit longer) and he'll have a Hurleygraph obit, they're still good like that for the military.

He was quickie. Op Telic 1 he have his body armour to a passing infantry man who didn't have any. That's bravery.