HM The Queen - Head of the Armed Forces for Seventy Years by Jan Westbury

We are just about to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of our Queen over the weekend of the 2nd to the 5th June 2022.  After two years of the COVID19 pandemic the United Kingdom and wider Commonwealth will look forward to four days of celebration, pomp, pageantry and street parties. 

Her Majesty succeeded to the throne on the death of her father, King George VI on 6th February 1952.  His passing resulted in the delay to the celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of the Military Nursing Service on 27th March 1952.        

The Coronation of the Queen took place on the 2nd June 1953 after months of planning.  Sadly the Queen lost her grandmother, Queen Mary, just a a few months before.   Queen Mary was the Colonel in Chief and Patron of the QARANC and the parade for the QARANC Corps Day was cancelled, as her funeral took place on 29th March 1953. 

The Coronation took place in Westminster Abbey and the Matron-in-Chief and Colonel Commandant represented the Corps.   Major Margo Turner (later to become Dame Margo Turner) led the QARANC Detachment in the Coronation Procession, where The Gazette reported that anyone from the Association would "purr with pride in their smart turn out and superb precision of drill".  (QARANC Association Gazette Vol. 2 No. 3 August 1953 | British Army Nurses)

Dame Margo later went on to describe how they marched for miles and having thought they would celebrate that night in London were far too tired.

A Coronation Medal was issued in 1953 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's ascension to the throne.  This was not issued to all the Armed Forces as only a limited number were produced.  Those in the parade received the medal.

Further blogs will follow providing reflections of those who served during the Silver, Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilees respectively.

By Capt (Rtd) Jan Westbury

TA & Regular Service 

Corps Day Service 2022: My First QARANC Association Experience by Meg Lydford

 

On the 3rd April 2022 I attended a QARANC Association Church Service at this beautiful church, followed by lunch at a local pub in my home town of Weymouth. I felt honoured to take part in the first Jurassic Coast Branch Corps Day event for 3 years, due to the Covid pandemic restrictions.

The whole service was dedicated to the QARANC, with the vicar reading the QARANC collect prayer:

 

O God, who through the healing touch of thy dear Son didst recover the sick and relieve their pain, grant to us who serve beneath thy Cross in the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps such love towards thee and devotion to our duty that the shadows may pass from those entrusted to our care, their darkness lighten into faith and hope, and thy love bring healing peace, for his sake who was content to suffer for all mankind, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The organist played and we heartily sang the QARANC Corps Hymn, sung to the tune of The Churches  One Foundation.

 

O Father, by whose servants

Our Corps was built of old;
Whose hand hath crowned her children
With blessings manifold;
For thine unfailing mercies
Far shown along our way,
With all who passed before us
We praise Thy name today.

The changeful years unresting

Their silent course have sped,
New comrades ever bringing
In comrades' steps to tread;
The days of old have dowered us
With gifts beyond all praise;
Our father make us faithful,
To serving the coming days.

Before us and beside us,
Still holden in Thy hand,
A cloud unseen of witness,
Our older comrades stand;
One family unbroken
We join with one acclaim,
One heart, one voice uplifting
To glorify Thy name.

Meeting the retired and serving QAs and hearing their stories about their amazing careers was inspiring to me as a trainee QA. And the lunch was pretty good too! I will definitely be looking forward to their next event; wine tasting in September!

Joining the QAs has been fantastic so far, and I’ve met some friends for life. Birmingham has a tradition for military health care and we train alongside the NHS nurses, but as QAs we stand out from the rest which was reinforced to me after meeting the mainly retired QAs and hearing their stories. I think it is important as trainees to be a part of the Association as it motivates and inspires our future careers.


Pt Meg Lydford QARANC Student Nurse

Remembering the Grey PT Knickers - 1980s by Jan Westbury

I remember being issued with my PT kit at the QATC that included large grey knickers to wear with our PT skirts. 

It took me back to my school days and as you can see in the photograph below made us act like silly schoolgirls again.  At least they were comfortable.

The local Regiment always invited the new officers in training to their mess and we were pre-warned of what to expect.  They certainly loved to party and play games, but lots of fun.  I certainly decided to leave at a respectable time, although a colleague stayed and had to jump on a milk float to hitch a ride back to the QATC.  Of course she still turned out immaculately for parade.  What I remember the most were the largest pair of grey knickers behind the bar.  Where on earth did they come from and who wore them?  Were they for real?  Does anyone know?

Of course this was the 20th century and considered amusing. In the 21st century we would have probably all left 'not amused' or indeed just wouldn't happen now.

60's Zoom Night - Jurassic Coast Branch

 

Well, February 2022 and we still have some COVID 19 restrictions in place. Although we could now all meet we have continued fortnightly branch Zoom meetings for catch ups and presentations. We missed organising a social event, so a 1960's dress up theme party was arranged.

 
Our Chair, Marjorie Bandy, organised a trivial pursuit style quiz based on 60's music, with our secretary Pat McKay, keeping score.

In between the quiz we ate and drank, more or less following the menu and drinks:

Pre-dinner drinks

Schooner of Sherry or Cinzano and Lemonade

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prawn Cocktail or Grilled grapefruit topped with Maraschino Cherry

Cottage Pie with seasonal vegetables

Black forest Gateau or Sherry Trifle

~~~~~~~~

Coffee with after dinner mints and liqueurs

Wines

Mateus Rose or Liebfraumilch

 

It all became very exciting when we had to have a play off, with Judy Evans as the winner of a £25 gift voucher. Judy is obviously a quiz buff as she had previously won our Christmas quiz.

To finish the night off some dancing: the twist, swim, hand jive, locomotion and more. A few technical problems with the Youtube video loss of sound, but Wendy Jones stepped in with the music.

Another fun evening for the former and serving QA's and partners.

WACKY WEDNESDAYS IN RINTELN by Eileen Nolan

Anyone who has ever been in the army knows that provided they are not actually on duty at the time, Wednesday afternoons usually mean one of two things – Sport or Mandatory Training or occasionally a mixture of both. I have specific memories of three Wednesday afternoons in Rinteln and I have decided to call them “Wacky Wednesdays” for reasons which will become clear.

Sport - In September 1975, Maggie and I arrived in Rinteln at the start of the second year of our student nurse training. We wanted to get to know people quickly and our tutor suggested sport but neither of us was particularly sporty. Then, as Rinteln had an established orienteering team, it was suggested we might like to join them.

 So, on this particular Wednesday, we joined the team behind the hospital. As we were complete beginners, we were briefed on how to use the map and compass and instructed on what we had to do as we went round the course. We assured the tutor that we understood. I mean, how hard could it be running from A to B with a map, a compass and a whistle, looking for checkpoints? 

The orienteers were in pairs but instead of pairing Maggie and me up with an experienced orienteer each, we were sent off together. Big mistake!

It all started well enough and we found the first marker. However, after a while we realised that there didn’t seem to be anyone else around and we couldn’t find any more markers. It got to the stage where we weren’t even sure we had the map up the right way!! We were hopelessly lost and blowing the whistle didn’t help as there was no one around. So here we were newly arrived from the UK, lost in the german countryside, unable to speak a word of the language. We decided the only thing for it was to find a road and try to make our way back to Rinteln.

It took a while but eventually we heard the sound of traffic and found a road. We saw a village up ahead and as we walked towards the village we caught sight of the name of the village – “HOPE”! I kid you not – that was the actual name of the village. We then found a sign pointing to Rinteln and made our way back to the hospital on the safety of the pavement! Strange thing was that when we arrived back at the hospital, nobody seemed to have missed us! Perhaps orienteering wasn’t for us!

Mandatory Training - Do you remember being issued with your respirator at the QATC? I remember clearly being handed this box which contained this hideous heavy rubber mask with a filter at the side. We had to try it on to make sure it fitted and off we went with our essential piece of kit that may well save our lives in the event of an NBC (Nuclear/Biological/Chemical warfare) attack. Now, how many of you put it in a wardrobe and didn’t think about it again until you came across it when you were packing your bags for a new posting? I mean, it was not something you were likely to be wearing on a regular basis.

One Wednesday afternoon in 1976, we were given notice of mandatory NBC training. We were to report to the field at the back of the hospital in timed slots armed with our respirators. At the appointed time we arrived and we saw a building probably not much bigger than a very large double garage. We were given an NBC suit and reminded how to put our respirators on. Of course, the glass in our respirators steamed up and we were shown, not how to spray a nice anti mist spray on the inside of the glass, but how to spit onto the glass and give it a good rub! It was at this point that I wished I had brought my camera!

Initially we practiced in the open air taking our masks off and on until we were quite proficient. Then we were told that we would be going into the building to practice talking quickly without the mask and putting it back on at speed, eating at speed etc. All easy enough. Then we were told that we were going to do it all again but that a helpful sergeant was going to throw a CS gas canister into the building and we had to do it all again with the company of the gas!! We were instructed not to breathe in the gas or we would regret it and if we did, we should head for the door and get out as quickly as possible. Oh, and keep your eyes closed when you have your mask off! How are you supposed to find the door?

In came the canister but as we were still all masked up at this stage, no problem. The thing about being in a room filled with CS gas is that you can only control your own behaviour! I wasn’t too far from the door which I thought was a good position. The first exercise to remove our masks, recite our name, rank and serial number and get the mask back on again without breathing in the gas, went well. However, as more exercises went on, there I am doing well with my eyes tight shut when I am sent flying by someone who had breathed in the gas, kept her eyes shut and headed in the general direction of the door i.e. me! When you are hit by a flying missile in a room filled with CS gas, the only reaction is to open your eyes and get a lungful of gas!

Oh well. Just glad we didn’t have to experience an NBC attack for real.

When Sport and Mandatory Training Collide - It was a typical Wednesday afternoon with the usual sports in action but we had been informed that those not involved in sports and not on ward duty would be required to participate in mandatory Major Incident Training. We were allocated our roles and informed that we should expect an influx of “casualties” (soldiers from the nearest army base in appropriate make up). As a third year student nurse, I was part of the group tasked with assessing and prioritising the “casualties”. I don’t think we called it Triage in those days!

Now, Rinteln didn’t have a formal emergency unit as such so all the ”casualties” were left in the front hall which was not a large area. As we were working through assessing the “casualties” who incidentally were using a lot of dramatic licence, in through the door comes another casualty in full rugby gear. He was holding his left arm which was in a very peculiar position. He looked in pain but was very controlled unlike those lying on the floor. After a few seconds, I recognised him as one of our doctors who was genuinely injured and not one of our actors.

I mistakenly thought we would be able to get him straight through for treatment but no, it was Major Incident Training and the Officer in Charge felt he had to be prioritised along with all the other “casualties”. I felt so sorry for him but he sat there quietly and he eventually went to theatre that evening to have his shoulder put back in.

Just goes to show that as far as mandatory training goes, it doesn’t matter who you are! Rank certainly had no priviliges that day!

Eileen Nolan

CMH - Sept 74 - Sept 75

BMH Rinteln Sept 75 - Feb 77

Royal Herbert Feb 77 - June 77

QEMH June 77 - July 78

From Infantry to Infirmary by Danny Shilling

31st May 2009, I was 18 years old and sat on a train, feeling both nervous and excited. This was the start of my new chapter. I was heading to the Infantry Training Centre, Catterick, to conduct the 24-week Combat Infantryman’s Course.

11th December I passed out into the 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in front of my proud family. I was looking forward to some much-needed leave before joining my new unit. Thinking I would get a week or two, you can imagine my dismay when I was told to report to Cavalry Barracks’ guardroom in Hounslow, London at 0800hrs on Monday 13th!

The first half of 2010 was spent preparing for and conducting Public Duties. The pride felt whilst standing outside Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle compensated for the hours spent starching my Number 1’s and bulling my Ammo boots. One particular memory stands out: being told to fill my boots with sand, melt beeswax onto them using a mini blowtorch and then bull them made me raise an eyebrow. I’d already been sent to the stores for the keys to the indoor tank range!

In August 2010 the battalion moved to Celle, Germany for 2 years. We were told we were going to deploy to Kenya and started Pre-Deployment Training. One morning our Platoon was late for transport due to a heavy night on the lash. As soon as our boots hit the training area, our Platoon Sergeant taught us the implications of missing transport. He gave us an orientation to the ground in 30 minutes! Finishing off with the well-known phrase: “It pays to be a winner”. I did not want to go again! I sprinted up this mound used as a tank firing point, wearing kit weighing more than half my body weight. Overdoing it on the descent I lost my footing and tried to combat roll out of it. Instead, the weight of the body armour, webbing and daysack caused me to hit the ground, shoulder first!




Screaming in pain, the other lads thought it was part of this “remedial training”. They threw me on a lightweight stretcher and casevac’d me 200m. the bouncing caused further pain, causing louder cries. They thought I was going for an Oscar! I was lowered to the floor and told to get up. Our Sgt realised something was wrong as I continued to clutch my arm close to my chest. Turns out I had dislocated my Acromioclavicular Joint, requiring 3 months off and physiotherapy. Instead of deploying to Kenya, my fate was to be on rear-party over Christmas, limited to light duties.

August 2012, the Fusiliers continued on to our next rotation: Cyprus! Based in Dhekelia we were 30 minutes from Ayia Napa. A dangerous location for young soldiers who get paid Local Overseas Allowance! 2013 I passed the Fire Teams Commanders Course (FTCC) and returned to battalion 7 weeks later as a Lance Corporal. Despite nearly 2 years living in the sun with the beach as our back garden, the Battalion’s darkest day was upon us. Due to Army cuts, the battalion was to be disbanded.

This resulted in the majority of us being posted back to the UK and joining the First Battalion in Tidworth. 1RRF were an Armoured Infantry battalion and was equipped with the Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicle. Before I knew it I had completed my Gunner’s course and was appointed as the Platoon Commanders gunner. One day we were on exercise and I was scanning the ground using the Warrior’s sighting systems, traversing the turret to get a 360 view. The commander’s turret control overrides the gunners and without warning the turret turned, trapping my legs down the driver’s tunnel! You can imagine the obscenities I unloaded on the young boss.

In 2016, I returned back to Sennybridge and the Brecon Beacons to complete the Section Commanders Battle Course (SCBC) which promoted me to Corporal. This promotion also meant I was a prime candidate to be a Vehicle commander and then was sent on the Regimental Instructor of Gunnery course. Despite coming second on the course, I was not confident with teaching gunnery. I did not enjoy the armoured role and became disengaged.

I began to question my career, not only in the Fusiliers but also in the Army. Fortunately, a posting to the Army Training Centre (Pirbright) became available and in October 2017 I became a Phase 1 instructor. This 2-year posting was one of the highlights of my career so far. Being able to take a civilian on day 1, spend 14 weeks training them, and then watch them march of the parade square as soldiers was an incredibly proud moment. A feeling which never dulled and always reminded me of my own pass out in 2009.

With Pirbright being a multi-cap badged establishment, I was able to explore the other roles the Army offered and gain feedback from other instructors. Being part of Chavasse Company, I was introduced to the 4 Corps making up the Army Medical Services: the RAMC, RADC, RAVC and QARANC. The Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps... wait... the British Army has their own nurses?! How did I spend 8 years not knowing nursing was a thing in the Army?!

I decided a medical profession would be my preferred job role. I thought about becoming a Combat Medical Technician but something there was missing. I wanted more. I wanted to get the most from the Army. I wanted to help people and have more opportunities in the future. I looked into nursing and was sold immediately. It ticked all the boxes and gave me a new challenge. A new purpose. However, I did not tick all the boxes. I only achieved a grade D in science at school and Nursing required a C or above. Many people didn’t believe I could do it and said I should “just be an HCA”. This made me more determined. One, to prove to them I was capable and two, to prove to myself I was able to complete a university degree. I spent 9 months completing an Access to Nursing course and then attended the nursing board.

January 2020, I moved to Birmingham and became a phase 2 trainee again.......

Cpl Danny Shilling QARANC Student Nurse

In Good Times and In Bad

 

BMH Iserlohn

It's me again and I promise this is not a takeover of the blog. We do have other people lined up but as it's December everyone has other things on their mind. It was ever thus in the military as well - the month leading up to Christmas took on a whole new level of frenzy. Where ever you were posted, December was always magical. This got me thinking about the good times and the bad times in the QA's.

I'd like to start with the bad. Not that there were that many bad times as I loved every minute of my time as a QA. There was always a particularly stern matron whose look could turn you to stone at some imagined transgression. And the times you booked theatre tickets only to find someone had gone sick and you were suddenly on night duty. My most hated part was the BFTs. I did them. I passed them. I forget about them until the time came around again when a sadistic PTI reminded me I needed to get myself out running. I know, I know, many people loved them but I'm a sprinter and the 100 yards was my thing. A BFT was much longer than that. Let's leave the bad times in the past where they very firmly belong.

The good times far outnumbered the bad and were glorious. The many postings, seeing the world, getting to know new people, all of that made us better people ourselves and much more compassionate and friendly. You always knew, no matter how often you were posted that you would fit right in and everyone would welcome you with open arms and look out for you. When saying goodbye to friends you knew you would see them again in a future posting. The nursing experience we gained was second to none and the social life could not be imagined by anyone other than military personnel. I remember the balls with funfairs and partying throughout the night until dawn brought breakfast. The Christmas Balls were particularly spectacular. From regimental breakfasts to regimental dinners, from cocktail parties to wine and cheese evenings, from junk trips to barbecues we did it all and enjoyed every minute. 

In terms of postings we often had to take the good with the bad. Some of the accommodation was phenomenal as in the Officers Mess in BMH Iserlohn. Other accommodation we shall say was less than luxurious with cracks in the walls which seemed to grow bigger by the day and were pretty much held together by blueback. It didn't matter because in the end the camaraderie, our fellow QA's and the friendships we made pretty much made up for it all. I would say that the good times far outweighed the bad and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.  

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.