A former Royal Navy medic, Celia ‘Mitch’ Mitchell, shared her harrowing experience of being attacked by an Iraqi civilian while providing medical assistance. Mitchell, 65, recounted the incident during the 15th-anniversary commemorations of the Iraq War at the National Memorial Arboretum. She revealed that she was stationed at 34 Field Hospital in Shaibah, operating close to the front line, treating Iraqi civilians amid missile attacks. Mitchell was diagnosed with PTSD 12 years after her return from Iraq.
Describing the perilous situation, Mitchell recalled a terrifying moment when a patient attempted to slit her throat with a blade while she was tending to his wounds. She narrowly escaped harm by reacting quickly with a steel bedpan to defend herself. Despite her bravery, Mitchell continues to struggle with PTSD, experiencing emotional challenges even years after her service.
Reflecting on her military service, Mitchell expressed pride in her medals but acknowledged the lingering impact of war on mental health. She emphasized the need for troops to be spared from unnecessary conflicts, citing relief that British forces were not involved in potential conflicts with Iran.
In a separate account, Janet Riddell, 59, a former Royal Navy officer, recounted surviving a helicopter crash near Baghdad during the Iraq War. The helicopter she was aboard was shot down by small arms fire, leading to severe knee injuries that eventually resulted in the amputation of her right leg in 2017. Riddell detailed the chaos of the crash and the challenges of enduring constant mortar fire in Baghdad, highlighting the physical and emotional toll of wartime experiences.