Page 34 - QARANC Vol 14 No 13 2016

32 QARANC THE GAZETTE
Millbank Branch
Honouring a First World War VAD Voluntary Aid Detachment Nurse
A Jewish Volunteer Nurse was commemorated with a special Stone Setting Ceremony on 8 Mar 2016. Nurse Edith Hilda Munro, born to John a Scottish father and Leah Nathan a Jewish mother from Bow East, London, began her nursing career at the Albert Dock Seaman’s Hospital in Silvertown East End docks. Edith was part of the VAD nursing group, which was founded in 1909 in co-operation with the Red Cross and the St John’s Ambulance and was made up by volunteer nurses who worked in war zones in the Imperial and Commonwealth Forces.
In 1916 at the age of 23 while nursing sick soldiers Edith succumbed to acute bronchopneumonia which led to heart failure and she died on 12 Dec 1916.
The case of Edith Munro is particularly poignant because it is very rare to come across a female casualty of the 1ST World War. In fact this is only the second un-commemorated women’s grave that the Association of Jewish Ex-service Men and Women (AJEX) have come across and it is only through their hard work that the Commonwealth War Grave Commission (CWGC) has recognised Edith as a casualty of war and her gravestone has been re-consecrated. Owing to the small number of Jewish VADs, this is the first time that this type of ceremony has taken place in a Jewish cemetery in Europe.
On 8 Mar 2016, coinciding with International Women’s Day, we gathered to honour Edith’s memory. I volunteered to represent the QARANC and the Millbank Branch of the Association at this Special Stone Setting ceremony. As a gentile it was very interesting to be informed about this particular part of the Jewish culture. Another special feature is that the headstone erected is one of only a few that has both the Red Cross and St John’s insignia at the top of the stone.
Rabbi Reuben Livingstone, Senior Jewish Chaplin to HM Armed Forces, conducted the service and representatives from the local United Synagogue Women’s league and the local Sea Cadets with their bugler Lt Adam Mendrys RNR played the Last Post and Reveille with four Standards paraded. Even the only Jewish Pearly Queen was there in all her finery.
It really was a remarkable service. In all there were approximately 60 people present including a great niece of Edith’s family and a great, great nephew who just happens to be an anaesthetist.
Many wreaths were laid and it was humbling to be part of this group honouring this young nurse in this the hundredth year of her death.
Allison Johnson, Millbank Branch
The Patron’s Lunch
I am writing to say that I was very fortunate to attend the Patron’s Lunch on 12 Jun. I was there with my husband who is a visitor for one of the charities of which the Queen is Patron.
We met up with Judy Cook, Sally Mears & Deirdre Barr who are also Millbank members. Deirdre was there in her St. John’s Ambulance capacity.
It was a very wet start to the day but brightened up for the Royal walkabout and Her Majesty driving down the Mall with Prince Philip in their open top Range Rover. Everyone had a wonderful view of the Queen in her gorgeous fuchsia pink outfit.
The young Royals had already started their walkabout.
Judy, Sally and I were very fortunate to talk to our Colonel in Chief the Countess of Wessex. She seemed delighted to see some QAs. She was charming and looked lovely. Princess Anne was also very close to us all and acknowledged everyone in our area. All the Royal Family engaged with the crowd most graciously and with a good sense of fun. We all thought that Lady Louise was marvelous on her first walkabout. Everyone joined in the spirit of the afternoon - the police were great fun even though they were keeping us all safe.
The entire day despite the wet start was joyous - the wonderful M&S wicker hampers were filled with truly delicious goodies (all British fayre) including Pimms for Pimms o’clock time. We were also provided with free tea, water and ice cream for the whole afternoon and, of course, there was a pay bar.
Peter Phillips certainly made sure that his grandmother and the 10,000 strong had a marvellous day. One must take hats off to him and his team for the organisation, down to the last detail including all the participants in the parade to stage such a wonderful royal “Knees Up”.
All in all it was truly a day to remember.
Lindi Kibbey
Chairman Millbank Branch
Federation of the O.C.A of the London Territorial and Auxiliary Units Annual Parade, Service of Homage and Luncheon
For anyone who has taken part in this day they will know it’s a truly magical day. It is always held on the first Sunday of June and apparently it has not rained on this day for 18 years!!!
Old comrades and members of the TA assembled at Lothbury at 10.30am sharp, whilst the standard bearers waited at the Royal Exchange. One of the standard bearers was celebrating his 86th birthday such was his enthusiasm to be part of the day. Millbank branch of the QARANC Association was represented by Alison Browne (Standard Bearer) and Janet Watson and Brigid Kelly marched with the parade.
The parade was commanded by Maj Alex Ferguson and a rousing collection of marching tunes was played by Band of the Honorary Artillery Company. After the traditional laying of wreaths, the
parade marched through the City of London to Armoury house.
The inspecting officer Maj Gen Ranald Munro was received by Col Burford and, after the march past and the inspection, the parade was commended for both our numbers and enthusiasm.
The service of Homage then took place conducted by Rev Stephen Leader, honorary chaplain of the Fusilier Company. The QARANC group were invited to join the inspecting party in the medal room for drinks, where we met the guest of honour Maj Gen Ranald Munro. Lunch then followed in the Long room. The toasts were made and Maj Gen Munro gave a really good talk about the future of the TAs and suddenly it was all over again for another year.
Alison Browne