Page 28 - The Gazette Autumn 2024

28 The Gazette QARANC Association
‘I never have dreamed I’d be finishing as a full Colonel, let alone Chief Nursing Officer’
Colonel Paul Jackson KHN calls time on his distinguished Army career in December, leaving on a high as the QARANC celebrates 75 years. What are his career highlights and what will he do in retirement? The Gazette speaks to our President and Chief Nursing Officer (Army).
When we speak to Colonel Paul Jackson by videocall, he’s seated in his hotel room in civilian clothes, having been taking part in a property development course – all part of his preparations for a life outside the Army, which is coming up fast. Paul hands over his Chief Nursing Officer role on 18 October, the day after the QARANC Officers Mess Annual Cocktail Party, and retires from the Army on 5 December. With discussions ongoing about the future of the Corps, it’s fair to say this is a big year, in more ways than one.
Paul grew up in Derbyshire, in the village of Eyam. If the name sounds familiar, it should: this is the village made famous in 1665 by an outbreak of the plague and the community’s brave decision to isolate – only 83 survived out of a population of 350. The Covid pandemic has amplified tourist fascination with Eyam still further.
“It was a brilliant place to grow up,” recalls Paul. “We had one primary school that was at the centre of village life for us kids, and not that I took advantage of it, five pubs. Because my dad was a GP, everybody knew me and my brother, so we had some really good friends.” On the way to school, Paul passed by the church, the houses and other landmarks that feature in the plague story. “We are very proud of our ancestors,” says Paul. “The village is growing and maybe losing a bit of that community feel, but it’s still a lovely place to go back to.”
With his mum in nursing and a GP father, it was perhaps unsurprising that Paul harboured thoughts about following in their footsteps. He initially wanted to be a midwife, but they weren’t taking males in 1986. Then Paul’s uncle, who was also a nurse, suggested the Army.
Belize
None of the family had been in the military, but my Uncle Paul was the one who joined the dots up and said, ‘why don’t you do this?’
“None of the family had been in the military, but my Uncle Paul was the one who joined the dots up and said, ‘why don’t you do this?’ I’ve got a lot to thank him for. Just before he died, I spoke to one of his sons, and said, ‘Please tell him that I’ll always be grateful for him, pointing me in the right direction. Without that, I’m not sure I would have gone that way.”
At 18, Paul joined the Army in Sheffield, where he did his attestation (and coincidentally his last job, as CO of 212 Field hospital was headquartered in Sheffield, so a full circle). He went to Keogh Barracks in September 1988 to start his training. He joined the home troop and did the Combat Medical Technician Class 3 (CMT3). The Barracks has changed significantly over the years. However Paul enjoyed his visits there when meeting personnel.
At 19, Paul was sent to the Queen Elizabeth Military Hospital in Woolwich, which he describes as “lots and lots of fun, with a bit of strictness, but lots of fun”. It was an opportunity to learn the medical side and the military. Did he fall foul of the discipline? He laughs, admitting: “I had a couple of hours on the on the steel bin! A corporal asked if I was bored, and I said, ‘yeah,’ which was probably not the right thing to say in the middle of his lesson. I was introduced to a galvanized bin and made to polish it with steel wool for two hours. Usually there was somebody else in more trouble than me, so mostly I learned by other people’s mistakes.”
Friday nights at Woolwich were a highlight. A corporal nicknamed ‘Beast’ held a disco that was very popular. Paul said: “I didn’t go to university, but I think that was ‘my university’ it was so much fun.”