Page 29 - The Gazette Autumn 2024

The Gazette QARANC Association 29
Cattran Yomp finish
However, training ground to a halt at the outbreak of the first Gulf War, when half of Paul’s class were posted to Iraq, while he stayed behind in the UK, working in the hospital. He admits that was “really frustrating” to be a qualified CMT 3 with something to offer, but effectively grounded. “We had to quickly get over it and get on with our jobs,” he says.
Paul did get his chance to “be a nurse, see places and do stuff” soon enough. After finishing his nurse training, he went out to BHM Iserlohn, near Dortmund, a “really good hospital” but which closed in 1994. Paul was there two years before that, working on a general surgery ward. He was hugely impressed by the nurses and ward stewardesses there, and credits them with helping develop him.
From there, he enjoyed four months in Belize. At the airport camp the patients were few and far between so Paul found himself spending time at the pool and traveling around the country on the weekends, to Belize City and, also to Mexico. He and colleagues ran clinics in the local hospital and were treated like visiting dignitaries.
Then came a spell at the Cambridge Military Hospital in Aldershot, where Paul met our former QARANC Colonel Commandant Carol Kefford. “I was a Lance Corporal by then, and she was one of the nursing officers. I’m not sure whether she was mentoring me, or just doing good officership by making sure I learnt as much as possible, but she definitely became more of a mentor.”
During his three months in Bosnia in the mid- 1990’s he first met the current Col Comdt, Col Andrea
I took a lot of pride in how we were making people’s lives that little bit better whilst they were in hospital
Paul as a private
Lewis. On his return he was posted to Frimley Park Hospital, where Carol was Deputy Matron. She made him rehearse and prepped him for the questions he would face when he applied for a commission. Years later, Paul acknowledges the debt: “I’m really grateful that Carol took the time out of her day to spend on little urchin like me.” He commissioned as a Lieutenant and was posted to the Royal Hospital Haslar, on the orthopedic ward, and six months later was promoted to Captain.
Did Paul put himself under pressure to progress up the chain of command? He insists not. “At that point, it was more about learning how to be an officer and making sure I could do my best and the people I worked with. I was looking to have a good experience and trying to not get in too much trouble.”
He adds: “I think working with people with the same military and nursing mindset as you, means you can add real value. We looked after people very well. I took a lot of pride in how we were making people’s lives that little bit better whilst they were in hospital. That was my first real exposure to the Navy as well, because we had naval nurses there. Col Kathy George was the matron, and I wouldn’t be where I am now without her either, she saw something in me.”
Multi tasking whilst at DPHC
On parade