Page 50 - QARANC Vol 14 No 6 2013

48 QARANC THE GAZETTE
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Lt Colonel Margaret Stephenson MBE
Margaret Stephenson, who died peacefully at home on 24th May 2012, was the first QARANC Non Nursing Officer. Born in Eston, North Yorkshire, Margaret was the youngest daughter in a family of seven children. On leaving school she commenced nurse training in the local hospital but after 16 months she decided that nursing was not for her. She went on to join the WAAF and saw two years service as a clerk typist.
In June 1951, Margaret joined the QARANC and trained as a clerk. Between 1951 and 1958 Margaret served at Hindhead, Aldershot and GHQ Singapore. She rose quickly through the ranks reaching substantive Warrant Officer Class I in 1957, no mean achievement.
In 1958 authority was given for the creation of a small cadre of Non Nursing Officers to support and relieve nursing staff from onerous clerical duties. Margaret was selected to spearhead the cadre. After appearing before the Regular Commissions Board and completing the Officer course at Hindhead she was commissioned in March 1959.
From commissioning to her retirement in 1985 Margaret always broke new ground for the Non Nursing cadre. She had an indomitable spirit and great tenacity which served her well for the challenges she faced. She fought hard to expand opportunities for Non Nursing officers in order to forge a good career structure. In January 1976 Margaret was appointed MBE for services to Non Nursing.
During her army career of 34 years Margaret served as Detachment Commander at the British Military Hospital in Singapore and also at the Cambridge Military Hospital in Aldershot - ideal situations in which to foster her life-long interest in the welfare and wellbeing of Junior Ranks. Among her various appointments at the QARANC Training Centre were Adjutant, Admin Officer and finally Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor. Interspersed with these she served as Admin Officer at the Duchess of Kent Hospital in Catterick and Staff Officer at MOD. Over the years Margaret gained an exceptional knowledge of the Corps which was always available for the benefit of
others.
To her regret, Margaret had only two
overseas postings. She compensated in retirement by travelling widely and frequently. At home she quickly adapted to the village life she had chosen. She was able to indulge her passion for reading, music, theatre and genealogy whilst also enjoying indoor bowls, gardening and WI. She took a keen interest in local enterprises contributing practically and financially where appropriate.
I have been privileged to have known Margaret for the past 40 years. She had a ready sense of humour, great integrity and generosity of spirit and tremendous courage as over the past twelve years she battled with the degenerative nature of her final illness. She will be sadly missed by her many friends and family. May she rest in peace.
Bernadette Yarnold Colonel (Retired)
The editor would like to apologise to the author and family for omitting to publish this obituary in the autumn edition of the QA Gazette.
in speaking of Mary at her funeral, talked of how she had spent her life in the service of others, along with a lot of fun and enjoyment from tennis, golf, parties and entertaining. She would be remembered with pride, thanksgiving, affection and love.
Mary was also a regular attender at League meetings until relatively recently.
Contributed by Laura Murray, Branch Chairman QARANC Association (Scottish Branch) & Elizabeth A Shaw
Mary L Elder (nee Anderson) 1914 – 2012
Mary was born and brought up in the Trinity area in Edinburgh. She attended the Mary Erskine School where she made many friends who remained friends throughout her long life.
She began her training at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, going on to do her General Training at the Royal Infirmary and gaining her Pelican badge in 1939.
After the outbreak of World War II she volunteered for service in Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS) and joined the Service in Catterick, from where she was posted to the 35th British General Hospital in Oxford. She did this under her own arrangements which apparently earned her the displeasure of the then Lady Superintendent of Nurses, who had expected her to apply through her office.
Apparently, as she sailed down the Clyde in 1940, she had no idea where she was going. She served in Delhi, Lucknow and Bombay in India, in Columbia in Ceylon, and
in Iraq. Afterwards was posted to Singapore where she was involved in the repatriation of Far East Prisoners of War and eventually returned home in 1946.
Mary returned later to the Far East and worked in Malaya. After some time working there, Mary returned and worked in the Royal as a Home Sister.
Mary made many friends during her training and in the Army and she kept in touch with many of them over the years. She was a member of the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC) Association (Scottish Branch) and was a very supportive and generous member who attended all the functions and outings of the Association.
She left to marry Robert Elder, a retired Minister, who she had known in the Far East, and they set up home together in Colinton. They were both regular attenders at St. Giles’ Cathedral where they participated in Church activities. For many years Mary cleaned the Church along with a team of ladies. Rev. Donald Stephen,