A Posting to the Caribbean - Belize by Marjorie Bandy

In 1981 I became aware of an additional posting for QA’s. I fancy a tour in the Caribbean thought as I sat at my desk in Catterick on a wet and windy winter morning. I mentioned it in passing to Col Braisby during a telephone call. “Ask me in writing,” was the reply; success. By April of that year I found myself at Brize Norton for the Monday flight to Belize. I was only the second QA to go there and at the time it was a 'sensitive' posting which had required me to go to HQUKLF for an interview with Colonel Liddington. I was given the brief and instructions that I was required to send her a monthly report – but sent as a personal letter on a “bluey!!” I could explain but I would then have to shoot you.

For those of you who have never been to Belize it is in the Caribbean very close to Mexico and Guatemala and Airport Camp is built on a mosquito swamp. For most of my tour, I was the only female, on occasions being joined by a female dentist. It sounds marvellous the only female in a camp of 2000 men, not so, it can be very lonely, and very much like living in a glass box where you are always on show. Absolutely everyone knew who I was ie Matron, which meant that even going into the NAAFI it was far from unusual to be stopped for a medical consultation with one of said 2000 male personnel.

The Officers Mess were on the whole good fun and I was included in trips into Belize City if there was something different going on. One Saturday night we had been informed that there was going to be a good disco in one of the downtown hotels. Dancing shoes on I joined with some of the other mess members and headed into town. The rumour was right, and we were having a great evening and it was good to use the dancing shoes. One thing in Belize is that sadly employment opportunities for women were not easy and far too many belonged to the “oldest profession.” As I was practicing my Olivia Newton John moves on the dance floor I felt a tap on the shoulder and a voice said,  “How much do you charge?” I turned round to see what could only have been a member of HM Forces. As I have already said absolutely everyone knew who Matron was and the poor young man’s face dropped. My reply? “Go away young man you can’t afford me.” The poor chap must have spent the rest of his tour praying that he never took sick. The rest of the guys couldn’t wait to get back to camp to make sure that everyone knew that I had been mistaken for a Lady of the Night.

It was in other ways a posting of different experiences; Belize gained its independence during that year. As Guatemala and Belize didn’t enjoy a friendly relationship at the time, I had an additional supply of morphine flown out on the same flight as Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. Luckily although the resident battalion moved to their “battle stations” all was quiet on the Western Front.

At that time Belize was not a popular holiday destination and apart from the three military flights a month there were no direct flights from UK. I was able to get away for some weekends and fell in love with New Orleans, a place I headed for whenever I needed my hair cutting. Honduras and Costa Rica were also on my visiting list. All great opportunities so what was the point of saving money and only getting as far as the camp swimming pool or the Sunday Mess BBQ on one of the small islands known as Cayes. Although I enjoy swimming only my snorkelling improved, and I really didn’t fancy diving. I did make use of the mess ski boat, but water skis will never replace my snow skis.

There are lots of stories about Belize but this is only a blog and not a book. I will save the story of almost getting shot by the SAS – purely through my own stupidity - for a later date.



Marjorie Bandy

Chairman Jurassic Coast Branch

 

Memories of the QA Officers Mess, Tedworth House Tidworth

 

Since 1973, my first experience of Tedworth House, I have always found it difficult to pass the Tidworth turn off on the A303 and not take a detour down memory lane. Sadly it is no longer possible to also visit the old Tidworth Military Hospital on a whim. It is firmly ensconced behind the Garrison perimeter and I wonder if it even still stands.

My initial experience of Tedworth House was exactly 50 years ago, my first posting after QARANC Training Centre as a 23 year old lieutenant. As I arrived I was totally in awe when my eyes feasted on this opulent Manor House that was to be my home for the next 12 months. I had grown up on a very large private estate where my father was Head Gardener, so a tied cottage was familiar to me. I had never imagined residing in ‘the big house’. That said, the junior officers rooms were affectionately nick names the servants quarters.

As you look at the photo of Tedworth House the low single story part of the building was our entrance, and the senior officers anti room. Once it becomes double story the ground floor was the junior officers anti room. Both anti rooms had glorious views through the tennis courts to the magnificent grounds as did the front facing bedrooms on the first floor ( for senior officers) not that I was privy to many visits, if any! Meanwhile us lieutenants accommodation was at the rear of the building looking at walls and a small rear entrance. The QA Mess was housed in the left half of the building, the right and more imposing side with grand entrance etc accommodated the Army Officers Club. Although a magnificent looking building it was in desperate need of a considerable amount of remedial work and repair. It was not uncommon on a rainy day to walk the length of our upstairs corridor avoiding the many buckets catching drips, if not mimi torrents of water. This also applied to some of our rooms. The bath rooms, forget on suite, were huge with mega large cast iron baths and extremely cold most of the time.


These minor hardships were minimal in comparison to the treats of being a junior officer.
Our meals were wonderful. In those days the messes had their own cooks and the food scrumptious and traditionally English. The luxury of breakfast in bed delivered to our rooms for both of our two days off - what a joy. In most QA messes at that time, we had the oddity that our so called bar would actually be a cupboard although, if my memory serves me correctly, I believe Tedworth did have a bar of sorts. If not working we would often gather in the anti room half an hour or so before dinner to have a sherry or similar and share the activities/gossip of the day. Surrounded by many military units there were also plenty of parties and entertainment, however men were never allowed further than the entrance hall. We also had the Officers Club next door, fun when a group of us went together but to my young uninitiated eyes could feel a bit crusty.

Although we had been taught uniform dress etiquette at the QATC our first posting was when this was put into practice and where us newbies could get into deep water. Veils off as soon as you entered building, tippets on at all times no matter how hot it got until it was decreed that we would go into summer order. ( Remember girls that the Danish rose on the back of the tippet is not only part of Corps history but is there to assist your sitting deportment and prevent slouching!). Tights to be worn at all times unless working in the tropics - a nightmare during the English summer heat wave of 1976.

Tedworth House was a brisk 10 minute walk from the hospital so we were ferried backwards and forwards throughout the day in a mini bus. The early morning, late evening and night duty trips usually accommodated just us junior officers so could be quite jolly affairs whilst at other times of the day we had to be on our best behaviour travelling with Matron and senior officers. Conversation then revolved around the weather, had Matron had a good weekend or how was her dogs health. All in all our Tedworth House experience was a one off, made even more special by the events that took place in the beautiful grounds. To understand this a little more one probably needs to explore the history of Tedworth House itself.

The first house built on these grounds dates back to well before 1650. From then until 1897 it was owned by various members of the aristocracy who rebuild and refurbished it through the centuries. Horses and hounds were kept in the grounds and a race course, polo field and cricket pitch were established. The military connection starts in1897 when the War Office bought the estate and in 1905 it became the official residence of the General in Command of the Salisbury Plain Military District. At this time the house stood in 500 acres of well wooded park. In the First World War it was used as the Garrison Officers Mess for Tidworth Camp and then military nursing accommodation. During the Second World War it served as a club for American soldiers before reverting back to QA Mess Accommodation.

This varied history meant that the parkland area was well suited for sporting and others events. The highlight would be polo on the polo field. This would be attended by a large number of the aristocracy to include Prince Charles, Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips. Bizarrely it seemed that security was not that strict as we were able to discreetly mingle in the crowds capturing perfect views of the assembled dignitaries, not to mention the odd photo. Maybe the events were better policed than we imagined because of course we were living on the inside. The other event that created a lot of interest for us youngsters was the annual ball held in the Officers Club. Again this was another aristocratic social event and the year I was at Tidworth it was attended by a Princess Anne. The main entrance to the Officers Club was below a window in our long upstairs corridor and so we discretely took up our viewing positions to watch the guests arrivals and took enormous interest in the ball gown fashions of the day.

I left Tedworth House in September 1974 only to return in June 1976 for a 6 month posting before heading off to Hong Kong. It had been announced that in March 1977 Tidworth Military Hospital would close along with the QA Mess. There was much sadness in the air as well as great deal of activity sorting out inventories and chattels etc before closure. I was glad not to be there at the end. At that time I could not have imagined that exactly 20 years later I would be Deputy Matron of the Cambridge Military Hospital and heavily involved in that closure!

In June 2017 I was travelling along the A303 and could not resist the lure of Tedworth House just one more time. I understood that it was in the ownership of Help For Hero’s and that it was being used as a Support Recovery Hub. Approaching the house tentatively at first having done a circuit of the outside we entered the Orangery which has been converted into a beautiful cafeteria. Emboldened we ordered coffees and explained that I had lived their many years ago. We were introduced to a lovely administrator who showed us around. It has been beautifully restored and at the same time looks totally appropriate for purpose. I would imagine an ideal environment for well being and recovery. Fantastic to see the old place looking so regal and with its long history of being linked to the military and now be being put to such a worth while purpose.


Lt/Col (Red) Penny Moody 1973 - 1975 1976 -1996

Making My First and Last Veil By Major Domini Barrett

As a young Lieutenant Reservist in 219 Field Hospital in 1992, I was unable to attend the Unit’s Annual Camp so it was suggested I spend two weeks on the Children's Ward at The Cambridge Hospital in Aldershot. I was an adult qualified nurse and was looking at commencing my paediatric training within the Army so this was a wonderful opportunity…….until it came to finding out I had to make a veil to go with my issued grey nursing dress.

In 219 Field Hospital we had an attached regular Nursing Officer. She kindly offered to help me complete the task. So sitting on the floor of the Officers’ Mess, my veil making lesson began. I had a plastic sheet mounted on a hard board, a bottle of liquid starch, a paint brush and a floppy cotton veil. We laid out the veil, painted it with starch onto the board and, as I was going to the Cambridge Hospital a few days later, I took it home with me to dry. She suggested I ask someone to fold it once I’d arrived in Aldershot.

I duly arrived on the Sunday afternoon at the Officers’ Mess. It was like the Marie Celeste, not a soul to be seen. As time went by I became more worried as to how I could possibly go into the hospital in uniform but without a veil. An easy solution so I thought was to walk the corridors and listen out for an occupied room. An hour or so later, having gone up and down the floors, to the TV room, bar area, laundry room, I had found no-one. I then spotted someone in their dressing gown walking down the corridor from the bathroom and plucked up the courage (I was desperate) to ask if they could help me. She looked at me and with a “follow me” I was invited into her room with my huge board & veil. As she was a Major and I a mere Lieutenant and, of course, she was in her dressing gown I was very, very nervous. Swiftly the veil was made and having thanked her I scuttled back to my room.

The following day I proudly made my way to the Children's Ward. With short hair it was rather a challenge keeping the veil on my head (it was surprisingly heavy so I needed quite a few hair grips). The acting Sister on the ward was very particular about dress and appearance and we weren't allowed to take it off until we were in the office. I tried my best but it was a challenge not to take out the doctors eye with the veils pointed edges as we both tried to pass through the door at the same time. I soon learnt the importance of doorway etiquette!

I had a wonderful two weeks at The Cambridge and went on to complete my children's nurse training at Great Ormond Street. I am still serving in the Reserves now with 306HSR.

It was the first and last time I wore a veil, but the challenges of making it have never been forgotten so much so that the veil sits starched and made up in a suitcase in my loft just in case I need it for another day……..

MEMORIES OF THE NURSING OFFICER VEIL By The Jurassic Coast Branch Members

 

The history of the nursing veil can be traced back to the early Christian era when deaconesses, who cared for the sick, were distinguished from others by wearing a white covering on their heads. During Victorian times women in service wore white caps and different styles were developed for nurses to distinguish them from servants. The veil was popular as it covered the hair for neatness and hygiene. Female nursing officers wore the veil with those in the ranks wearing a short cap until 2003/4, when QA’s moved into tunic and trousers and nursing head-dress was abolished. 

To prepare the veil, a large white piece of white cotton with an embroidered red QA emblem at the back, was usually starched with Dip and laid out flat, to dry on a board. The veil was gently peeled off ready to be pressed and shaped into the veil.  

Jan Westbury 

STORIES OF THE VEIL

1. THE SHREDDED VEIL By Dot Ritchie 

As a student nurse in the 60's at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, I wore a butterfly cap. When I joined the QARANC in 1972 I was used to starching and ironing veils so did not use the large pieces of thick plastic or the back of room doors that most other Sisters used. 

I was stationed in Belfast in 1973 where Major Joan Pease was Matron. One day I was in the laundry room of the Mess doing my ironing when Matron came in to get her veil off the plastic. Suddenly, there was a shout from Matron. I looked up to see Matron pulling her veil off in shreds! It was so thin that it tore into strips. After a few seconds, we both burst out laughing. 

The moral to this story is, just iron your veil and it will not end up shredded! 

2. YOUR VEIL IS A DISGRACE! By Merrill Bate

Picture the scene at The Gun Hill QARANC Nursing Officers Mess at the Cambridge Military Hospital (CMH) in Aldershot one weekday lunchtime. It was a requirement that on entering the Mess you removed your veil and left it on a shelf in a cloakroom before having lunch in the Dining Room. On this occasion Matron had obviously decided to cast a critical eye over the quality and state of disrepair of the veils that had been deposited by QAs having lunch. One veil had clearly met with Matron’s disapproval and she left a handwritten note saying:

This veil is an absolute disgrace. You must replace is with a clean and properly made veil immediately. Matron

When Pat McKay and I left the Ante-Room to return to work after lunch we went to collect our veils and saw Matron’s note discarded on the shelf. There was no evidence of the veil which had clearly upset Matron. Presumably the guilty Nursing Officer had either scurried back to her room to find a new veil or returned to work wearing the less than perfect veil.

The note provided us with an opportunity! A number of newly commissioned Nursing Officers fresh from the QA Training Centre had arrived at CMH. One of these QAs had left her beautifully made and very new veil on the shelf. Pat and I decided she would be our victim and left Matron’s note on her veil.

I cannot recount what happened next because by the time the poor QA went to retrieve her veil I was safely back in the School of Nursing and Pat was working in the Operating Theatres. Did she in a confused state return to her room to get a new veil forever puzzled as to why she incurred Matron’s displeasure and what happened to the note? We will never know.

3. JUST LIKE THE OLD DAYS By Merrill Bate

In 1981/1982 I was on the held strength of the QA Training Centre whilst I undertook my Registered Clinical Nurse Teachers (RCNT) course at Suffolk College in Ipswich. I was accommodated in the Garrison Officers Mess in Colchester. To qualify as a RCNT I had to spend periods of time in clinical practice and was allocated to work in the School of Nursing at Colchester Hospital.

The only uniform I had was my QARANC ward dress and my supervising Tutor thought it would be a good idea for me to wear it on the wards. The lady who looked after me, and a PMRAFNS Nursing Officer in the male dominated Mess, spotted my uniform in the laundry room and excitedly greeted me one morning asking if she could look after my uniform whilst I was working at the Hospital. She explained that when there had been QAs in Colchester she had looked after their uniforms and to look after mine would be ‘just like the old days’. So, over the next 6 months I had my very own ‘batting lady’ who polished my shoes, washed and pressed my uniforms and most importantly washed, starched and shaped my veils. She took so much pleasure in looking after a QA’s uniform that on my departure she presented me with 6 beautifully made veils. I stored one of these veils flat in a large plastic bag just in case I ever needed it for something important; I wore it when I represented the QAs at the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance in 1984. 

4. VEIL INCIDENT AT THE QATC 1976 By Pat McKay

I arrived as a newly commissioned officer at the QATC on 5 July 1976 and was introduced to the mysteries of how to starch a veil by members of the permanent staff. Most people I joined with had never worn a head dress like it, so when the suggestion was made that the best flat surface to use when starching a veil was one’s room window, most took up the suggestion and consequently a row of windows at the QATC now had a veil applied to it.

Colonel (later Brigadier) Moriarty was the Training Centre Commandant and lived in the bungalow just along from the front door to the Officers Mess. On a beautiful summer evening she walked down from her accommodation with the most pained expression on her face to inspect what these new officers had done to her ‘Training Centre’. She described it as looking ‘like a Chinese laundry’.

Needless to say, the offending items were removed at the earliest opportunity and an alternative flat surface was found to starch our veils on.

Here ends the Veil Incident at the QATC.!!!! 

Contributors: 
Capt (Retd) Jan Westbury TAVR & Regular Service 1986 - 1992
Lt Col (Retd) Merrill Bate ARRC 1980-2002
Major [Retd] Pat McKay ARRC Branch Secretary Served 1976 - 1996
Major (Retd) Dot Ritchie Regular service 1972 to 1980 TAVR 1980 to 2003