Category Archives: PTSD

Lockerbie another year on and the pain is still there.

Posted on December 21, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

Today is the Anniversary of the Lockerbie Disaster in 1988. I was the Team Leader of the RAF Leuchars Mountain Rescue Team. My first stint as TeamLeader and I had a great young team. We were involved in so many … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Articles, Cycle to Syracuse Training, Lockerbie, Media, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Well being | 6 Comments

In memory of my Mum.

Posted on November 28, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

This is the anniversary of my Mum’s passing she died in 1980 I still miss her every day she was a all Mum’s area a special lady. As the youngest of 5 children I was spoiled in every way, always … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Family, Health, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Well being | 2 Comments

Past memories of the Lockerbie Tragedy thanks to these two great troops in 2018. Cycle to Syracuse!

Posted on October 14, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

It is amazing when photos turn up due to modern media . This one is very special. It was taken on my way to Edinburgh on a wild day cycling through a storm from Lockerbie. It was a hard day … Continue reading →

Posted in Cycle to Syracuse Training, Mountain rescue, People, PTSD, Well being | 4 Comments

Comments on my blog on “The use of the Stress Bottle before counselling”

Posted on August 24, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

Yesterday I wrote a piece on my blog on the use of alcohol in my early days con Mountain Rescue? Many will know I was at Lockerbie, (270 Fatalities) The Shackleton crash on Harris ( 9 fatalities) and the Chinook … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Family, Friends, Health, Mountain rescue, People, PTSD, Well being | 2 Comments

Part 2 – The Diary of Joss Gosling from the Lancaster Crash on Beinn Eighe in 1951.

Posted on August 19, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

Joss’s Diary continued. 20 April 1951 The RAF Kinloss Mountain Rescue Team left Kinloss for Kinlochewe to find the weather dull. Saturday 21 April – The weather was really fine it improved, not a cloud in the sky . Five … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Books, Enviroment, Equipment, Friends, Gear, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Recomended books and Guides, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment

Garbh Bhein – Ardgour a sad tale.

Posted on August 16, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

As a Mountain Rescue Team Leader the worst thing that could happen is a Team member being badly injured or killed. I will admit it worried me a lot during my years as Team Leader and as a Party Leader. … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Corbetts, Corbetts and other hills, Enviroment, Equipment, Gear, History, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Rock Climbing, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

The Stress bottle – before counselling?

Posted on July 6, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

Most years sadly we assisted many Mountain Rescue Teams with taking fatal casualties of the mountains. I do know it effected me over the years. Yet in these days it was just get on with it. At time’s despite your … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Articles, Friends, Lockerbie, medical, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Well being | 17 Comments

Mental Awareness Week.

Posted on May 13, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

In my early days on Mountain Rescue there was little awareness of the effect on mental health. It was a taboo subject which I hope I fought to raise the profile. It was hard going in the 80’s and I … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Family, Friends, Health, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Well being | Leave a comment

The Shackleton Crash on 30 April 1990 – The Isle of Harris.

Posted on April 30, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

The RAF Mountain Rescue was formed during the Second World War to rescue aircrew from crashed aircraft in the mountains of the UK. To this day the 3 RAF Teams that still survive are still called to carry out some … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Articles, Family, Friends, Islands, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Well being | 13 Comments

Some thoughts after the Blog on the Jaguar Crash at St Abbs Head. The Hillsborough Tragedy a sad day.

Posted on April 14, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

I had sadly forgot that when this Call out was on going the Hillborough Tragedy occurred on the 15 April 1989 when 96 fans were killed watching a football match. My head must have been so full at the time … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Well being | Leave a comment