Page 14 - QARANC Vol 14 No 11 2015

12 QARANC THE GAZETTE
Corps Heritage Matters
After nearly 18 months of discussion and planning, I am delighted to report that the first meeting of the QARANC Association Heritage Committee took place at HQ AMS on 1 July 2015.
We have long recognised that our Corps has a rich and varied history stretching back officially to 1881 when the Army Nursing Service was founded, and unofficially for many years before that, but there has never been any official dedicated platform to support interest in our history. The efforts of DANS, Col David Bates; Col Commandant, Sue Bush, and Association member, Keiron Spires, with the support of Heather Duncombe, Regimental Secretary, have driven the formation of the committee. Its terms of reference and membership were agreed by the QARANC Association Board of Trustees earlier in 2015. Lt Col (Rtd) Keiron Spires, who has a PhD in military nursing history, was invited by the Board of Trustees to chair the new committee, and other Association trustees and regular, reserve and retired Association members with an interest and/or expertise in military nursing history were invited to join the committee. The committee is composed of Lt Col Gary Kenward (trustee); Julia Jones (trustee); Maj (Rtd) Alison Spires (subject expert); Maj Heather Scripps (HQ Mess Chattels member); Maj Tristan Griffin (subject expert); Heather Duncombe (Regimental Secretary).
The purpose of the QARANC Association Heritage Committee as agreed by the trustees is to “create and develop a stronger understanding of Corps heritage in order to be the authoritative focus for others interested in Corps history, and to provide a clear understanding of the nature of military nursing that will help shape future force planning.”
With the huge growth of the internet in the last few years
and the proliferation of unofficial sources, it is important to get our own house in order to achieve this purpose. The committee has set goals and tasks to work on over the next few years, and we very much look forward to our regular, reserve and retired colleagues being part of this. In time we want the committee and its associated website to be the first port of call for anyone seeking historical information about British army nursing, be it a member of the Corps or Association, a member of the general public seeking family history information, any one studying the history of the Corps, or any one else who simply has an interest.
The committee will be responsible for the following tasks: collecting and collating Corps heritage information, research, education and publication. In addition, if there is sufficient interest, we would like to form a QARANC History Association in the future. The full terms of reference can be made available for any one who is interested, as can minutes of the meetings.
This is an exciting new development at a time when interest in military history and military nursing history has increased because of the national commemorations of the First World War. It is fitting that the Association has responded to this in a such as positive way. If we do not collect and document our heritage, it will be lost for future generations to learn and benefit from. The chair and members of the committee are happy to respond to any questions, and would be delighted to hear from any Association member who is interested in our heritage. You can get in touch with us by sending an email to: contact@britisharmynurses.com
Alison Spires, TD, Maj (Rtd)
QARANC Association Heritage Committee
Royal Hospital Chelsea Founders Day Parade 2015
Sometimes pleasant surprises come in emails from RHQ, and for two QAs being informed that they had been selected to attend Founders Day was an unexpected and great honour.
On a hot July day Maj Margaret Cefferty QARANC (205 Field Hospital) and I put on our finest and excitedly set off for our first visit to the Royal Hospital. We joined the dignitaries and families to see HRH The Duke fo York KG review the Pensioners at the 323rd annual Founders Day Parade, a spectacular and historically significant occasion. This is also the annual opportunity for the Pensioners to host their families at a wonderful garden party after the ceremonies.
In 2015 this was made even more poignant, at the start of the parade the French Ambassador HE Sylvie Bermann awarded the Legion d’honneur to 19 Chelsea Pensioners who served on D-Day and beyond for the liberation of France. It was a humbling experience watching these heroes receive their honour.
The sun beat down on us as we sat in the stand along with Corps Col Commandant Jane Davis and Col (Rtd) Alan Barr, who gracioulsy declined an offer of sun screen for his
Maj Cefferty, Col Davis and Maj Crane
hatless head.You could only admire the Pensioners stood in their heavy scarlet uniforms without a single wobble in the heat. Age certainly has not diminished the spirits of these men and women, one lady still parachuting in her 90s! Later, a quick tour of the Hospital grounds meeting some truly great characters made the day for us both.
Echoing HRH Duke of Yorks address, “you are the epitome of what we would classify as service to the crown....The lifelong service that you have given should never be forgotten. Thankyou.”
Maj Andrea Crane
Maj Maggie Cefferty