We’re marking Armed Forces Day by speaking to some of our DHU colleagues who have served.
We’d like to introduce you to Patrick Molloy who is DHU’s HR Manager based at our Oldbury 111 Advice Centre in the West Midlands. He knew he wanted to be involved with the Armed Forces at an early age and the friendships, attributes and skills he forged back then remain with him today.
“It goes back to 1977 when I joined the Army Cadets,” recalls Patrick, “it was after Scouts as a teenager, I spent a few years there and loved it. We had annual, two-week summer camps with assault courses, shooting Brierley Guns and mixing with light infantry. It was huge fun and some of us made the decision to join the Army after our A-Levels.
“I joined the Aldershot Garrison in 1980, did my Paras and boy soldier training and, although some of the boys struggled to adapt to life away from home, I thrived whilst the initial complement thinned out as we completed basic training. I moved to Catterick and Colchester before being deployed to the Falklands in 1982 when I was only 18, it was a difficult time and I lost some friends but also made some life-long bonds.
“We developed such strong bonds…”
“When we returned we were asked what we wanted to do next so I joined Two Queens, spent two years in Londonderry and completed a degree in PE before spending time in Belize and Kenya, ending up in Germany in 1986. I loved it there as a soldier, learnt the language to a certain extent but couldn’t stay because, to be based there permanently, you had to be fluent in the language.
“It was there that I met Frauke and fell in love. I knew I couldn’t stay and was deployed to Canada where I spent six weeks serving, writing to her every day. I remember looking forward to that letter back, we developed such strong bonds and friendships within our Battalions and units but that contact with loved ones was the connection with the outside world that kept us going as individuals.
“It was at that point that I knew I wanted to move on and settle down. I didn’t enjoy being away from Frauke so my deployments became more localised to Ireland, Belfast and I made the decision to leave in 1988. I loved every minute of my time in the Armed Forces, those shared experiences that only those of us who have served can truly understand underpin a camaraderie that remains.
“I’d say the skills I’ve learned are personal, things like tolerance, loyalty, discipline and commitment. It took me a good three years to adjust to civilian life and when I hear about the Armed Forces Covenant that I know DHU has signed, I wish there had been something like that when I left. It’s that sense of no longer belonging to such a tight group, I know many friends who struggled afterwards, and that part of your past is always with you, the good and the challenging.
“It’s brilliant to see such respect for the Armed Forces”
“I talk a lot with some of my old Army friends. Having travelled around the world, many settled in different countries, so my big regret is that we don’t meet up as often as we could. It’s brilliant to see such respect for the Armed Forces on days like Armed Forces Day, Remembrance Day and the like. I’m very passionate about my service, I loved my time and frequently go to Himley Hall where they always mark Armed Forces Day on the Sunday after.
“I’ve been in the Midlands since 2011 and only been with DHU Healthcare for a couple of weeks. It seemed like an interesting role and a new challenge, I’m aware of the work the organisation has done in signing the Armed Forces Covenant, achieving the Bronze Award and I’ve already met a few like me who have served. My aim here is to be an important part of the team, to give value to the people around me and support that overall ambition and mission, that’s what the Army taught me and that’s what I value.
“I’m also keen to get in touch with other colleagues in DHU who have perhaps served in the past, may still be serving or perhaps a Reservist, to talk about our experiences and support each other. I think it’s important to talk about things. The past is part of our present, it makes us who we are today so to be able to recognise and support that is a vital part of acknowledging our service men and women.
“This is another new chapter for me and just a few weeks in, I’m enjoying being part of a new team. I’ve seen and read a lot about how DHU has supported and recognised those who have previously served in the Armed Forces and I’m proud to be involved in that.”
Publish date: 22 June 2023