Page 52 - QARANC Vol 14 No 13 2016

50 QARANC THE GAZETTE
Last Post
Margaret Mackay-Dick
Margaret was born on 11 March 1920 at Bangrove Farm in Beckford, Worcestershire, the fourth child of Edith and Charles Forty, a farmer. The Family moved to Coates Mill Farm in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, soon after Margaret was born, where she grew up and attended Pate’s Grammar School in Cheltenham captaining the Netball team and playing in the Tennis 1st VI.
When she left school in 1938 Margaret began a nursing career at the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford. She first had to do a course at the Preliminary Training School in Headington just outside Oxford where the new John Radcliffe Hospital now stands.
In 1942, after 3 years training, Margaret had to take the Hospital exam and then the State Registered Nurse [SRN] exam, qualifying in June 1942. It was difficult for Margaret to decide what to do once trained but she was persuaded to stay on as a charge nurse. This she did for 6 months but then she got the travel bug and went for an interview with the Army with a view to joining Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service.
Fortunately, she was accepted and after basic training at Wyke Hall, Gillingham, she found herself at the Military Hospital in Moretonhampstead in Devon. She was then posted to Egypt in June 1943 and sailed for 4 weeks via Cape Town, to Suez and a tented hospital. There she met Maj John
Wedding Day 27 Jul 44
Mackay-Dick, one of the medical specialists. They married on 27 July 1944 in the Chapel of No 13 General Hospital at Suez and spent their honeymoon in the Mena House Hotel by the Pyramids. John and Margaret were then posted back to UK on 31 December 1944 and Margaret Margaret was discharged from the QAs on family grounds.
After the War, John remained in the RAMC and was supported by Margaret wherever he was posted which included command of hospitals in Munster, Wuppertal, Cowglen, Malaya, Hindhead, Tidworth and Millbank as well as his last appointments as Inspector Army Medical Services and Deputy Director Medical Services in Scotland.
In retirement, Margaret and John lived in Edinburgh until 1985 when John became ill and they moved to Oswestry in Shropshire to be near their daughter, Rosemary and their son–in–law, David Campbell, a GP and an RAMC Reservist.
Margaret survived John who died in 1986 and continued to live in Oswestry. She was a wonderful contributor to the local community with her membership of The University of the Third Age and her Mahjong lessons, the Attfield Theatre and the Methodist Church. In addition, she was Vice Chairman of the Chester Branch of the QA Association and a grandmother to 6 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Margaret died very peacefully at home on 12 March, aged 96.
Lt Col (Retd) Pauline Novak RRC Vice President QARANC Association
11 October 1946 – 19 May 2016
Lt Col Pauline Novak RRC was commissioned into the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC) in 1972. She served as a nursing officer and nurse tutor at home and overseas. She was selected to undertake a special job in Bahrain during which she made many long lasting and special friendships. She was awarded the Royal Red Cross in 1994 and retired from active service in 1996.
On her retirement from active service Pauline became a keen supporter of many association branches and events and was appointed Vice-President of the Association in 2012, a role she undertook with great energies, diligence and pride.
She was keen to do things right, was Chair of the Governance Sub-Committee and was a very active driver and supporter of the recent changes to the Charity.
As a passionate and loyal supporter of our Association she was also a kind and supportive friend and colleague to many. She instinctively knew when to offer sympathy, support, kindness, a ‘good talking to’ or encouragement.
Pauline’s funeral was held at Westerleigh Crematorium in Bristol on 27 June 2016. It was attended by serving soldiers and officers and many Association members. Representatives from our sister services also attended to show their respect for an Officer who was held in high esteem by so many. Pauline will be missed by the Corps and Association and her many friends and acquaintances.
May she rest in peace.
Cape Town en route to Egypt
Moretonhampstead Hospital