Memories of HM The Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002 by Judy Evans

2002 wasn’t just an important year for Her Majesty, it was also the Centenary of the QAIMNS/QARANC.

The national celebrations for the Golden Jubilee were to culminate in a parade down The Mall after the Royal Family had attended the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral and lunch at The Guildhall. The procession was to include a march past of military veterans and their standards, as well as decorated floats illustrating British life over the years.

I was a trustee of the QA Association and we had purchased a standard to commemorate our centenary and the Golden Jubilee was the ideal occasion to show it off. I was asked if I would carry it. It was incredibly heavy and marching it down The Mall would be impossible and so it was decided to parade the Aldershot Branch standard instead.

On the day itself, I had arrived in London early to see the parade to St Paul’s Cathedral, and it was the first time I’d seen the Gold State Coach which carried the Queen and Prince Phillip. It was a magnificent sight and was followed by other members of the Royal Family, some on horseback if I recall correctly.

The day was dull but fortunately dry and the plan was that Association standards would march off together, followed by the veterans. There were four QA Association members marching – Lt Cols (Ret’d) Nesbitt, Glover and Jones with Maj (Ret’d) Diana Wilson, Regimental Secretary.







The Queen and Prince Phillip were to be driven down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace in an open topped vehicle and we were to follow. As the parade marched off, I realised how long The Mall is and how heavy even the smaller standard I was carrying was but it was over in a blur. The crowds cheered and what a sense of pride I had in taking part in such a momentous event.

As we approached Queen Victoria’s Statue, I could see The Queen, wearing a bright orange outfit sitting on a dais at the front of the statue with other members of the Royal Family and VIPs.

We turned into Birdcage Walk and came to a halt and fell out. We QAs met up and dashed to see the Queen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace and the RAF fly-past. We managed to push our way through to a reasonable position to the left of the Palace.

It’s very hard to believe that this happened twenty years ago and now we’re celebrating the Platinum Jubilee.


Judy Evans 
Maj (Ret’d)

HM The Queen's Silver Jubilee 1977 Memories by Marjorie Bandy, Dot Ritchie & Jan Westbury

In 1977 I, like so many QA’s was serving in Germany with, to use its correct title the British Army of the Rhine or BAOR. At that time there were 5 military hospitals in BAOR and I was working as a midwife in BMH Munster. The Armed Forces had considerably more personnel than today and each of the three services was to have a separate Jubilee Event. For the Army this was to be in Germany at the enormous training area at Sennalager on 7 July.

Logistically it was to a huge event and each Garrison had its own set of Mess tents to host personnel. I was lucky enough to be selected as one of the BMH reps along with my friend Maggie O’Sullivan [now Stephenson]. Not wanting to let the side down we had pressed our No 2s [the old grey job]and polished the shoes and lastly set the alarm for our very early start the next morning. The admin order was detailed and left us in no doubt that if we weren’t through the check point at Sennalager by 0900 hrs we wouldn’t be let in.

At that time, it was expected that any future conflict would be an armoured battle on the plains of Germany so most of the BAOR battalions were armoured or artillery. Seeing everyone in No2 dress, where many of these battalions were “vulgar fraction regiments,” [ for the uninitiated this means cavalry 15/19th 9/12th etc – you get the picture] some very fancy uniforms were on display. On this vast training area it was dry and dusty and our careful attention to uniforms was somewhat wasted. 

 With so many troops and armoured regiments the “parade ground” stretched back for a mile, and what an amazing sight it was. The parade RSM brought everyone both on and off the square to attention for the arrival of Her Majesty. It was an experience I will never forget. We took lots of photographs although at times it was difficult as officers needed to salute HM when she passed,  plus for artillery regiments the guns are their colours which also must be saluted along with the colours of the marching Regiments.

We were told that at the rehearsal it was realised that with such a deep parade, orders reached the troops at the back noticeably later than those at the front. Messy when it was for Her Majesty. The solution was a simple one, behind the centre stand for spectators was a windmill which everyone could see. A large black bin was hoisted to the top of its flagpole and the bin dropped every time the command salute was given, result everyone saluted at the same time.

That parade is something I will never forget, so many on parade, tanks dipping their gun barrel to salute The Queen, writing this I can still picture it in my mind.

By Lt Col (Rtd) Marjorie Bandy RRC

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I was stationed in BMH Dhekalia and was a Guide Guider. We had a camp in Episkopi for all the Armed Forces Guides in Cyprus over the Silver Jubilee period. In the top photo is Heather Dunscombe, who was the last Association secretary. Her mother was a Guider with me, she is far left, Heather is 3rd in on the left and I am far right. 

                 Major (Rtd) Dot Ritchie

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Not everyone in the Armed Forces was awarded a Silver Jubilee Medal, as this was allocated on a quota basis and not on eligibility criteria.  Only 9,000 medals were allocated to the Armed Forces, thought to be due to the economic crisis at the time.  Units of over 500 personnel received 6 medals and under 500 received only 2.  This meant that neither Marjorie or Dot received the award.  

When it came to the Golden Jubilee that changed and eligibility criteria were used.  All regular serving personnel with five years calendar service (1,826) and reserve service personnel who had completed five annual bounty earning training years (135 days) received the medal.  Dot very proudly had her photograph taken for her Father, wearing her Golden Jubilee medal.

By Capt (Rtd) Jan Westbury 

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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

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Prawn Cocktail or Grilled grapefruit topped with Maraschino Cherry

Cottage Pie with seasonal vegetables

Black forest Gateau or Sherry Trifle

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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