Marjorie's Royal Red Cross by Marjorie Bandy

 

The Royal Red Cross (RRC) is a military decoration awarded for exceptional services in military nursing. The award was established on 27 April 1883 by Queen Victoria after nurses had served in Zululand and their work was not recognised officially.  The first recipient was Florence Nightingale and the second Jane Decilia Deeble, who had served in Zululand.  The award is made to a nurse who has shown exceptional devotion and competence in the performance of nursing duties, over a continuous and long period, or who has performed an exceptional act of bravery and devotion at their post of duty. 

Source: Royal Red Cross - Wikipedia

Where were you when you were informed?

I was working as a Staff Officer at MOD that I was to be awarded the RRC in the New Year’s Honours of 1985. I think that it was at the end of November.

How was I informed?
Brigadier Rooke handed me an envelope from her safe.

Did I know why I was being honoured?
My RRC was for the response of the QARANC personnel serving in The Falklands response to the devastating fire which occurred on 10 April 1984, some 40 years ago.

How long did I have to keep it a secret?
Not too long as I was given a New Year’s honour.

How did the family react to the news?
Obviously, everyone was delighted.

Did I celebrate before the Palace event?
As I was living in a flat in Greenwich my parents came to stay and we went out for supper the evening before locally.

How did I feel to see my name in the newspaper?
Seeing your name in the papers always gives a buzz, especially the local newspaper at home. My Mum saved every newspaper cutting of me doing something, usually meeting a member of the Royal Family.

Who went with me to the Palace?
My parents came with me and as it was such a special occasion MOD provided an official car to take us.

Who presented my medal?
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth gave me my medal and of course she was well briefed for all medal recipients.

What did we do afterwards?
I was still a member of the RAF Club at the time and we went for a meal there as of course I was still in uniform.

Other observations
The presentation was only 4 weeks before my wedding and so it was a bit sad that I was only allowed two guests as it meant my then fiancé couldn’t come. As my wedding was the next month my mum insisted on a different outfit for each event – much to my dad’s consternation!

Lt Col (Rtd) Marjorie Bandy RRC

A Life in the Armed Forces (QARANC and QARNNS) by Wendy H. Jones

 

As Today is Armed Forces Day, I would like to start by saluting all those in the Armed Forces - Past and Present - for your service. Of course as this is a QARANC blog a particular shoutout to all those in the QARANC. I also thought it would be an ideal opportunity to reminisce about my time in the services. 

I beg your indulgence as I start by talking about my six years in the QARNNS as a student nurse and a staff nurse. In May 1979 I was posted to RNH Haslar in Gosport to undertake my student nurse training and thus started a career that would also twenty-three years. I  had a blast in the Navy. During my time I managed to go up in helicopter, was dropped off in the middle of a field, and was then winched up into the helicopter again. What a blast. Whilst I served my six years at Haslar, I did manage to do ten weeks at RAF Wegberg doing both the midwifery and community parts of my training. I went into Holland each day as we visited families in married quarters which were in The Netherlands rather than Germany. Yet again, a helicopter featured as we were taken up in an RAF helicopter and, as it was for pilot training, I was allowed to pilot it. What an experience. MY only sea time was one day at sea on HMS Invincible where I ran a creche for Families Day. Oh, and I go to launch a ship - HMS Glasgow. I kid you not.

I left the RN after six years, did a course in civvy street, and then joined the QARANC with a stint at the Queen Alexandra's Training Centre in Aldershot before being posted to Queen Elizabeth Military Hospital Woolwich. During this time I was on standby for 22 Field Hospital and went on Exercise Purple Warrior. This was a Tri-Service operation, hence the purple. It was a mixture of all three colours - navy, free, and blue. This took place in November. In Scotland. In the rain. I will leave the rest to your imagination. It also involved eight days on a cruise ship which was a fabulous experience. And you can see, various modes of transport played a large part in my nursing life. In fact, I got my third trip in a helicopter whilst on exercise with 22 Field. This time an Army helicopter used for transporting casualties. I can tell you, those pods they transport casualties in are an experience - one I am glad I had. From Woolwich I was seconded to Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital to do my children's nursing and from there to Cambridge Military Hospital in Aldershot. Eight months later I found myself in Hong Kong which had to be one of my favourite places to live. Vibrant and exhilarating it's like no other place on earth. Working on the children's ward, it was a privilege to look after both Nepalese and Chinese children and to meet their families. Ambulances figured quite a bit as we would transfer seriously ill children to ITU in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, a civilian Chinese hospital. Whilst in Hong Kong I took the opportunity to learn Nepalese and Chinese all of which I have now forgotten. Oh, and did I mention, I got to go up in a helicopter. The father of one of the children on the ward was Army Air Corps and ran trips for the staff to see Hong Kong from the air. Awesome.

From Hong Kong I went to BMH Iserlohn in Germany. No helicopters this time but I did have to serve on a courts martial. That was a strange experience but it was part of my remit as an officer. The end of my posting in Germany found me back in Aldershot. For eight weeks. Yes, you've got that right, eight weeks. Then I, on a newly minted special regular commission, found myself in Jerusalem on loan to the St. John of Jerusalem organisation. I loved every minute of that. From Jerusalem I went to Duchess of Kent Military Hospital in Catteritck, starting on the Children's ward and ending up as the In Service Training Officer. I spent six months at Bovington Camp as Matron of the medical centre, then back to my role as ISTO in Catterick before moving into the Royal Defence Medical College in Gosport. I was right back where I started in the School of Nursing but this time tri-service and partnering with Portsmouth University. During my time I was sent to both Cyprus and Gibraltar to carry out training, went back to Israel for eight weeks to update my ophthalmic and paediatric certificates, and was given time to do charity work in Moldova for two weeks. I also went to the Brecon Beacons to do some training. That was an experience and I may write a full post about it in the future. A posting to Birmingham saw me setting up the Military Pre-Registration Nurse Education at the University of Central England (now Birmingham City University) and brought my career to a close. 

I loved every minute of my time in the services. It was twenty-three years of fun, friendship and hard work, and I don't regret a minute of it. The people I met, and the places I went, will stay with me forever. What about you, where were you posted? I would love to know. 

About the author 

Wendy H. Jones served as a Nursing Officer in the QARANC between 1987 and 2004 leaving with the rank of Major. She never went on an operational tour but undertook many exercises as well as serving in numerous units in both the UK and overseas. Hong Kong and Jerusalem had to be two of the highlights. Moving into nurse education, she was proud to have served as Tri-Service Head of Pre-Registration Nurse Education. This brought her full circle to where she started as a student nurse in the QARNNS. She is now an author and lives in Scotland. 

Memories of the Cambridge Military Hospital

 

There cannot have been anyone who served in the QARANC who did not serve at CMH at some point in their career. In fact, in one of our recent Zoom chats at the Jurassic Coast Branch, we seen a pleasant hour talking about our memories of this iconic hospital. Whilst, I cannot share their stories, I can share my own pleasant memories of CMH.

My first trip to CMH, really was a trip - in an ambulance. Having had a rather unfortunate altercation with a chicken bone at lunch (in Woolwich), where the chicken bone won, I was whipped down to the CMH to have it removed. The situation was dealt with promptly but it was felt a night in the Officers Ward was necessary before I was returned fighting fit to my duties on the children's ward at QEMH. This was something else again, nothing like the NHS ward I had spent time in asa teenager. The strangest part was when I was informed, by. rather stern ward sister, I was to have an afternoon nap. This was surprising to say the least as the last time this happened was when I was in nursery. However, like any good Lieutenant, I did exactly as I was told. 

The next time I graced the wards at CHM was on leaving Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital having done my RSCN training and I was posted to the children's ward. What an amazing experience - not only did I meet a lot of fabulous people but the experience I gained as a children's nurse was outstanding. I came across children with rare conditions and came to learn that they and their families lived life to the full despite the challenges the faced. I learnt a lot. Now, who remembers that corridor - yes that corridor, the one that went from Ward 1 where I worked all the way along to the Operating Theatres. I swear the children's ward staff were the fittest in the hospital having run up and down that corridor numerous times a day on operating days; in other words every day. I loved every minute of it. My trip was cut short when I was posted to Hong Kong.

My third posting to CM was sandwiched in between BMH Iserlohn and Jerusalem and I mean sandwiched in. I spent eight weeks of a two year posting there before I was whisked off to Jerusalem for a year. You're probably beginning to think someone at CMH didn't like me, however, as it resulted un me getting exotic postings, I wasn't too worried. I still managed to pack a lot in to those eight weeks. 

So, what of you? I would love to hear your memories of CMH, so share them in the comments. It was certainly a fabulous place. 

About the Writer

 

Wendy H. Jones served as a Nursing Officer in the QARANC between 1987 and 2004 leaving with the rank of Major. She never went on an operational tour but undertook many exercises as well as serving in numerous units in both the UK and overseas. Hong Kong and Jerusalem had to be two of the highlights. Moving into nurse education, she was proud to have served as Tri-Service Head of Pre-Registration Nurse Education. This brought her full circle to where she started as a student nurse in the QARNNS. She is now an author and lives in Scotland. 

 

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……..

17th January 1991 Start of Gulf War 1 - Letter by Jan Westbury

Thirty years ago whilst serving in the Gulf, I sent the letter below to my husband, reflecting on the first day of the war. I was a nursing officer in charge of a tented 108 bedded low dependency ward. It was a hurriedly scribbled letter and below the letter is the transcription, for ease of reading.

Dear Terry
It is 1730 on the day war was declared. It was stated that we are on active service from 0300 local time, 0100 German time. Incredible really. We were woken at 0330 with an air raid red and then various states of NBC. The B shift were called in at 0400, the A shift had breakfast at 0500 and then went into work.

We were all remarkably calm really and also rather giggly. (We forgot to turn our room lights out). It was really well organised, we had good briefs, the radio gave us information and 0400 we listened to President Bush's speech.
My day on the ward wasn't too brilliant, some of the staff were so tired after a few hours sleep and I had to keep encouraging them to get the work done this morning and that everyone must rest this afternoon. I'm actually in the block at the moment as I have to go back to work tonight. Because of my lack of sleep I felt irritable with the odd few that sat like zombies. In all fairness, most of the staff were great. I now feel better after two hours sleep and more able to cope. The start of war certainly had an effect on me, I think I wavered momentarily. Too much thought of the poor boys.

This morning was spent going into various states of NBC dress and running to air raid shelters etc. One of my straps on my respirator fell apart and one of the patients helped me. They were great.

Well, it was wonderful to talk to you today. Sorry I woke you so early, but it was a real support to me.

Much Love

Jan x

My letters home have been boxed up for 30 years and not seen light of day until December 2020.  It was all due to the Covid 19 pandemic: time to empty out the loft; helping set up this blog and trying to capture our history; 30 year anniversary of the Gulf conflict; a virtual presentation to the student nurses with Merrill Bate and Kay Foster for remembrance in November 1990 and a forthcoming presentation for colleagues at one of our QARANC Jurassic Coast Branch Zoom meetings.

 
Capt (Rtd) Jan Westbury. Served at Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia November 1990 - March 1991

BRITISH ARMY OF THE RHINE - MY PART IN DRAWDOWN by Judy Evans

In December 1991 I was at QEMH, Woolwich, getting to grips with my newish job as Assistant Deputy Matron, having been posted there in June after almost four years in Germany, preparing for and then moving, following closure of BMH Munster, to a refurbished BMH Iserlohn. There were, at that time, three other military hospitals in Germany - Rinteln, Hannover and Berlin as well as the RAF Hospital at Wegberg.

The phone rang and it was Brigadier Hilary Dixon-Nuttall, Director Army Nursing Services ‘asking’ me to go back to Germany in March or April 1992, only a few months hence. “I’ve only been back from Germany for six months after four years there”, I replied, “If I go, please could it be for just a year?”

Fortunately, she agreed.

She then went into detail about my role. BMH Hannover would close on 30 June 1992.

Closure meant that patients who would have been treated there would have to travel over an hour to BMH Rinteln. To ease this, it was decided that my role would be to set up a Forward Outpatients Department (FOPD) for certain specialities at Hohne, a large garrison north of Hannover whereby consultants would travel from Rinteln to hold outpatient clinics. Patients would also come from other garrisons nearby, such as Fallingbostel and Celle. In addition I was to be project officer for a new Medical Reception Station (MRS) and Medical Provisioning Point (MPP) there. Patients who needed admission would go to Rinteln or make more use of beds in the expanded MRS. The use of German hospitals was at an early stage of discussion.

Sometime in January 1992, I flew out for the day to Rheindahlen from RAF Hendon in a small plane, similar to those used by the Royal Family, for a series of briefings. No one really knew much about anything and it was clear that I’d be flying by my pants.

I was posted to Hohne on 1 April 1992, perhaps an auspicious date. The MRS included about 10 beds for the minor sick and a group practice manned by military and civilian doctors and civilian nurses and a physiotherapist.

Some of the groundwork had been done - well, identifying the temporary locations of the FOPD and MPP and the new location of the MRS.

The former would be in Glyn Hughes Barracks occupied by 1 Armoured Field Ambulance which was a short drive from the main garrison but at least it was a medical unit, the latter would be located in what was being used as an annex for the Station Officers Mess but which I was sure would be suitable.

So, my job began. Setting up the FOPD was relatively straightforward. The building in the barracks was more than adequate, currently only being used by the garrison physiotherapist. It would be staffed by a civilian nurse who was already in post in the MRS, assisted by QARANC healthcare assistants (HCAs) who would shortly be posted in. Minor works such as putting in telephone points were required. Documentation was ordered as well as equipment such as scales, sphygmomanometers and so on, chairs, couches and tables.

The MPP would be staffed by a RAMC medical supply technician who would be posted in nearer the time of opening but I had to ensure it was ready as far as its security was concerned.

Talks began with the firm who would be doing the job of refurbishing the building, which was to become the MRS, FOPD and MPP. Work would take approximately eight months but it became clear that it would not be starting for a while so somehow it was unlikely I would see the end result.

I was also posted to Hohne as Matron of the MRS, which meant that I would support the civilian nursing staff who had previously felt a little neglected. We started in service training sessions and I became well known as the nurse phlebotomist as somehow they thought I had the knack of taking blood so I made sure that I was present for antenatal clinics! The HCAs settled in well and enjoyed working in a smaller unit than they were used to. We included them in some of the in service training which they appreciated. They worked in the group practice as well as the ward which had about 10 beds on both day and night duty.

I lived in the Station Officers Mess which was great fun. It had been mooted that I should have a flat which was available in the Field Ambulance barracks. I am so pleased I didn’t as I’d have felt very lonely. Of course Hohne is well known for being close to the former concentration camp of Bergen so it was a very poignant place to be. The countryside around was beautiful. Very flat, but great for walks and exploring.

The day the medical equipment arrived at the MPP for the first time, I was elsewhere but I received a phone call from the supply technician to say the unit’s fork lift truck was off the road and it was really required to off load all the kit which had arrived. What to do? How would a QA officer find a forklift truck? Luckily I’d made contact with the Station Staff Officer for a number of issues and he was a very helpful Retired Officer. Less than an hour later, a forklift truck trundled up the road to Glyn Hughes barracks from the main garrison. I got a good deal of satisfaction from that, in addition to the realisation that the spirit of goodwill and cooperation lived on.

I came home in March 1993 after a year in post. I enjoyed it enormously. A lot of people who I met had never had contact with QAs before, including the Brigade Commander, but I’d like to think that they were surprised that we can turn our hands to anything!

Judy Evans

I served in the QARANC from 1976-96, first as a Midwife, then a Theatre Sister. I also had postings as Instructor for the Student Officer Basic Course at the QATC from 1984-6, Theatre Sister and Matron in the Falkland Islands