The dawn of the 17 Oct 2018 heralded in the annual Countess of Wessex Cup, hosted this year by the Corps of Army Music (CAMUS). A day when a team of eight nurses and healthcare assistants, representing the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC), would compete against the six other associated military units in challenge of the cup.
Having met one another only the day before this diverse mix of regular and reserve QA's, from as far afield as Northern Ireland, quickly bonded over chicken, halloumi and hummus, which was with many thanks to the sponsorship and support of the QARANC Association. Having forged the beginnings of a team, this group of women faced all of the challenges presented to them with spirit and enthusiasm. These were including, but not limited to; CBRN baking, 'deep-pool' assault course and rescue, dragon boat racing and of course no cup would be complete without a stretcher race. Whilst not finishing with a cup, this team finished with new friends and experiences that they will not forget.
The 2018 Inter-Nursing Services Tennis tournament was held at RAF Halton and was represented by four members from the Queen Alexanders Royal Army Nursing Corps
Capt Simon Roberts, Cpl Muthoni Ligale, LCpl Lauren Middlemiss and Pte Tevin Gama.
There was some fabulous tennis played by all throughout the day from both the RAF & Army. It was a very close tournament but the Army were victorious for the second year running.
We would also like to a say a very special thank you to the QARANC Association for their sponsorship and support.
Our Association members are invited to apply for The Not Forgotten Association Christmas Luncheons with Entertainment taking place in December.
Kirknewton, Edinburgh on 10th December
Durham on 11th December
Broughton, Lancashire on 12th December
Wrexham on 13th December
Bransford, Worcester on 14th December
Please contact RHQ clicking 'EMAIL US' or 01276 412754 to apply. We have been offered 4 spaces for each event, tickets will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Fields of Mud, Seeds of Hope is a unique sculptural piece commemorating the sacrifices made by the generation who served during the Great War and the legacies the conflict created. Composed using battlefield mud from Passchendaele and earth taken from a Great War military camp in the U.K the work starts thoroughly soaked. As the wet mud dries and cracks the five battle weary silhouettes gradually appear, trudging home their backs to the past and facing the future.
Deep within the mud millions of ungerminated poppy seeds lay dormant.
When decommissioned segments of the sculpture comprising of the dried earth and seeds will be made available to the public to create their own artworks or memorial gardens, therefore allowing the legacy of the work to continue in another form indefinitely. This is an artwork which is as much about those who returned home from the Great War as it is about those who didn’t.
Fields of Mud, Seeds of Hope will be on display in Ripon Cathedral from 3rd October to 14th November.
Admission to the exhibit is free, to the Cathedral by voluntary donation and can be viewed 7 days a week from 9:30-17:00.
STEP SHORT PARADE 22 July 2018
With France visible across the Strait of Dover, Folkestone became an important transit point in WW1 for soldiers including nurses leaving for the battlefields of the Western Front. From August 2014 until the end of the war approximately 10 million men passed through the port to France including others who were returning on leave or who were wounded requiring hospital treatment.
Embarkation was from the Leas, the cliffs above the harbour, and men marched down a steep hill to the boats that would take them to France. The word of command given to the marching men was, ‘step short’ and so today we honour all those who fought and gave their lives in WW1 at the Step Short Parade at the War Memorial Arch situated on the Leas directly above the harbour. Col Jane Carey-Harris, Majors Adele Rutledge, Christine Duchemin, Liz Gregory and Major Gwin Foley as standard bearer, paraded for Millbank Branch of the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps Association. We were proud to join approximately 200 others on parade from military Associations including between 20-30 standards being proudly carried.
2018 marks a special milestone in our commemoration of all those who were involved in WW1 but particularly those who marched down the hill now known as the Road of Remembrance to Folkestone Harbour and the and battlefields beyond.
GEF 22 Jul 18
The QARANC Association will fully fund a PhD Scholar from within the Association membership to undertake PhD studies at the University of Cardiff commencing October 2019 (or sooner if it suits the person accepted).
The Association has a particular interest in the heritage of the Corps with one of the Objects of the Association being, “Fostering esprit de corps, comradeship and the welfare of the corps and preserving its traditions .", something that is also made clear in the establishment, and the Terms of Reference, of the Heritage and Chattels Committee.
Although much has been written about the history of Army nursing, and many scholars continue to research and write our history, there is a lack of authoritative writing from the perspective of Army nurses themselves. It has been difficult for Army nurses, serving or retired, to gain the necessary skills and standing to be able to write history that is acceptable in academic and scholarly contexts. There are members of the Association who would like the opportunity to gain these skills at Doctoral level, in order to advance the body of knowledge from within Army nursing.
SCHOLARSHIP
The QARANC Association will fully fund a PhD Scholar from within the Association membership to undertake PhD studies at the University of Cardiff commencing October 2019 (or sooner if it suits the person accepted). The main supervisor will be Professor Holly Furneaux of the School of English, Communication and Philosophy, University of Cardiff.
For more information on the Scholarship including how to apply download the attached document below
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It was another glorious day of sunshine for the Federation of OCAs of London territorial and auxiliary units. I paraded the Millbank standard supported by Maj Gwin Foley & Capt Jane Parker.
There were 11 standard bearers and a good show from the old comrades. Wreaths were laid at the Royal Exchange and the march proceeded through the City of London to the Armoury House on City Road. Due to the very hot weather, the inspection was kept brief. The RAF chaplain talked about love and how wasteful war is through the poems of William Auden and Rupert Brook. Lunch was a delightful summer salad and cheesecake. The guest speaker talked about the loneliness many veterans experience in older age - very poignant and touching. 1 in 4 veterans aged over 75 live alone.
Capt Alison Browne
One of our Colonels Commandant Jane Davis OBE QVRM TD DL RGN has been appointed as the Vice Lord-Lieutenant for Greater London, Jane has been a Deputy Lieutenant since 2008. The title Lord-Lieutenant is given to the British Monarch’s personal representatives throughout the United Kingdom, usually in a county or large city (metropolitan area). They have performed various tasks throughout history including raising local militia units and numerous ceremonial duties.
Lord-Lieutenants may appoint a Vice Lord-Lieutenant and the nomination is submitted to the Prime Minister in order that the approval of The Monarch may be obtained. The Vice Lord-Lieutenant will stand in when the Lord-Lieutenant cannot be present, is sick or otherwise unable to act, and will carry out such duties as the Lord-Lieutenant decides. The Greater London Lieutenancy as well as supporting the Monarch and the Royal Family in Greater London, is a bridge-builder, connecting individuals, organisations and social networks, to enhance Londoners’ sense of belonging and therefore, increase social inclusion within the capital.
Congratulations
Following the success at the recent Royal Artillery Cup on the bank holiday Monday, where the AMS polo team out manoeuvred the Adjutant Generals Corps, Royal Artillery and Help for Heroes polo team to win the division, the team now looks forward to its next challenge. The Margot Turner Challenge will be played at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) on Saturday 23 June 2018. The AMS polo team will play against the RMAS polo team in what promises to be quite an entertaining polo match.
Brigadier Dame Evelyn Marguerite Turner DBE, RRC (1910 – 1993) known as Margot Turner was a British military nurse and a World War 2 prisoner of war. Turner served with the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service from 1937 to 1949 and the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC) from 1949 to 1974. She was an Army officer who epitomised leadership, courage and clinical excellence.
The Margot Turner Challenge is the signature event of AMS Polo and aims to showcase and celebrate the team at the home of it's Regimental Headquarters.
On the 14th May 16 members of the Millbank Branch & 1 member from the Welsh Branch set off for a 5 day Battlefield Tour of Malta. We had a most interesting time seeing aspects of WW1, WW2 & the hospital of the St. John's order.
We had an excellent guide & to augment what had already been arranged, Keiron Spires gave us detailed information on the nurses' graves we visited. We laid two wreaths at Pieta CWG cemetery & had extra British legion crosses to lay. Whilst laying the wreaths our coach driver played Amazing Grace on his bagpipes which he just happened to have in the coach. It was a lovely touch & so poignant. We visited Imtarfa cemetery & found two WW2 QA graves that were not known about - we do now. We visited a Naval Cemetery & found graves of two naval nurses which pleased two of our members who trained with the QARNNS. We visited several interesting museums & noted that Malta apart from having the George Cross was known as the Nurse of the Mediterranean. Hospital ships came to Malta during both wars. We found out most interesting things about this small island steeped in history. The weather was a bit grey & chilly on occasions but this did not deter the group from enjoying a very good & interesting tour.
There will be more about are trip in the Gazette - Lindi Kibbey, Chairman, Millbank Branch
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A Career in Army Nursing
The QARANC employs Officers and Soldiers in both the Regular and Reserve Army, as Registered Nurses, Student Nurses, and Health Care Assistants, and we are always looking for people. If you are interested in a career as a Nurse or Health Care Assistant which also offers other great opportunities then you are just the person we are looking for. A career in the QARANC is more than a job, you will have access to extensive training and development opportunities, not just related to your job, but personal development too. You will have the opportunity to use your skills in diverse settings – wherever the Army is employed health care professionals from the QARANC are there. Right now there are QARANC personnel working around the world, including Sierra Leone, Canada, Mali, Afghanistan, Germany, and Cyprus. Being in the QARANC you will have access to, and be expected to undertake adventurous training, and you will have access to free medical and dental care, as well as robust annual leave and pension package. For information contact a member of the QARANC recruiting team on: 01276 412741, 01276 412742 or 01276 412740 or visit
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