Page 31 - QARANC Vol 14 No 11 2015

THE GAZETTE QARANC 29
The Whittington Tapestry project
The Whittington Tapestry Project is creating a significant commemorative piece of artwork which captures the past, present and future of the Whittington military site in Staffordshire, now home to the Defence Medical Services. By working with schools, organisations and individuals the project is developing new relationships and deepening existing ones between local communities and the Defence Medical Services.
“At some point, everyone’s life is touched by a military nurse and our hope is that the finished tapestry piece will help to develop new friendships and understanding between civilian and military communities,” said Lt Col Jo Palmer, Commanding Officer of the Defence School of Healthcare Education.
The Military
establishment at
Whittington has a
long and interesting
history, dating back to
its completion in 1881
when it became home
to the Staffordshire
Regiment Depot.
During the Second
World War it was
occupied by the
United States Army and designated as the 10th US Army Replacement Depot. Its history in the later half of the twentieth century was very much focused around training and recruitment; being home to the Mercian Brigade Depot, the Prince of Wales’ Division Depot and the Army Training Regiment (Lichfield). It is now home to the Defence Medical Services (DMS).
The tapestry, which will measure approx. 8m x 1m, is being created using
a variety of techniques and materials including recycled military
uniforms. It has been funded by grants from a number of organizations, including the QARANC Association.
A series of craft workshops are being held at key locations in the area, including the National Memorial Arboretum, schools, The Staffordshire Regiment Museum and Birmingham City University (where military nurses undergo their pre-registration training) in order to publicise the project and encourage participation.
Once complete, the tapestry will be displayed in a prominent position in the entrance to the recently completed Training Wing at DMS Whittington, where it will be seen by all those who enter the building and will also be visible from outside the building. It will be accessible to the public via guide tours provided by the Staffordshire Regimental Museum, located next to DMS Whittington
Lt Col JV Palmer RAMC Commanding Officer
Defence School of Healthcare Education