During the year where everything has been cancelled or put on hold, DHE were determined to still go ahead with Remembrance Day commemorations by holding a virtual event for both the Chain of Command and Tri-service Nursing students across three years of training.
After an opening address by the OC DHE Major Burden, a recording was played from three retired QARANC nursing officers – Lt Col M Bate, Major K Foster and Captain J Westbury. They highlighted the vital role of military nurses during the Gulf War and the trials they faced caring for such a vast multitude of patients while also sharing their own personal views on events during the war. I believe this also provided a reflection for nursing students on how medicine has advanced so rapidly upon viewing the pictures that were shown to us and the stories which were shared.
There were also recordings from two past QARNNS nurses, R Webb and PONN J Nicholls who shared their own personal experiences from working as Naval nurses, their journeys in their military careers and, also their careers within the NHS after leaving the Royal Navy. This gave an insight to the opportunities available to military nurses during their careers with many opportunities for specialisms and motivation to those still in training.
At 11am, the last post was sounded and a two minutes silence was observed in order to remember those who have served and lost their lives in giving the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms both during the First and Second World Wars and also more recent conflicts.
Several nursing students including myself also shared personal accounts of what Remembrance Day meant for us, with some students sharing pictures of them at military events and other in their clinical uniforms. Cpl Bushnell-Shilling also gave an insightful piece of the history of the poppy and its significance during Remembrance Day Commemorations.
It was a real joy to see the number of nursing students across the British Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy who were so willing to get involved in this event making it a Remembrance Day to remember in a year when the impact of COVID-19 has compromised so many events.
AB Leah B Badger Student Nurse QARNNS
There were also recordings from two past QARNNS nurses, R Webb and PONN J Nicholls who shared their own personal experiences from working as Naval nurses, their journeys in their military careers and, also their careers within the NHS after leaving the Royal Navy. This gave an insight to the opportunities available to military nurses during their careers with many opportunities for specialisms and motivation to those still in training.
At 11am, the last post was sounded and a two minutes silence was observed in order to remember those who have served and lost their lives in giving the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms both during the First and Second World Wars and also more recent conflicts.
Several nursing students including myself also shared personal accounts of what Remembrance Day meant for us, with some students sharing pictures of them at military events and other in their clinical uniforms. Cpl Bushnell-Shilling also gave an insightful piece of the history of the poppy and its significance during Remembrance Day Commemorations.
It was a real joy to see the number of nursing students across the British Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy who were so willing to get involved in this event making it a Remembrance Day to remember in a year when the impact of COVID-19 has compromised so many events.
AB Leah B Badger Student Nurse QARNNS
Many thanks Leah for writing this blog. It was an honour to be invited to your remembrance service. However, I am still coming to terms with being a veteran. I am far too young!
ReplyDeleteLeah. I echo what Jan Westbury has said. It was a great privilege to contribute and participate in the Remembrance Service and your Blog captures the essence of the event. Well done.
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