Page 21 - The Gazette Autumn 2024

The Gazette QARANC Association 21
QARANC Corps Day 2024 – Thanksgiving and Celebrations
On 23 June in collaboration with 210 MMR the N.I Branch of the Association celebrated QARANC Corps’ Day at the beautiful Holy Trinity Church in Ballylesson.
It was a special Thanksgiving service to celebrate 75 years of the QARANC and was conducted by Padre Jamieson of 210 MMR who talked about the history and the future of the Corps.
Local nurses connected with Ballylesson parish who served during World War One such as Lucy Sinton Kelly were mentioned and our Chair shared notes on their history afterwards. She is featured in a book called ‘Nurses voices from World War 1, The Northern Ireland connection’ by Margaret Graham.
Lucy’s photograph was on display as we entered the church. She received an award from King George V for her brave endeavours serving in France. We remembered her and others passed nearly a century later.
Lt Col (Retd) Joy Duffield RRC read extracts from the book ‘Nurses Voices from the Second World War, The Ireland Connection.’
A great attendance of 52 serving personnel and members of the Association, along with guests including children, shared in the service followed by a lovely afternoon tea provided by the catering staff from 210 MMR in the Parish Hall which was decorated in the Corps colours with huge 75th balloons.
A wonderful day was had by all, catching up with friends old and new, a great way to promote our motto of Friendship. A few of us then travelled to Sandhurst the next day for the CNO conference.
We were able to commemorate the Corp Day with other members from all over the UK. However, we had our own reason to celebrate as one of our contingent SSgt Jordon Burns won the Glover prize for advancement of nursing and was presented with same. It was a very special and memorable day for us all.
Maj (Retd) Helen Purvis ARRC NI Branch Treasurer
Cpl C McCormick 210MMR