Page 25 - QARANC Vol 14 No 9 2014

shifts when time allows. It can be difficult to fully imbed in a department when you are there so infrequently however the MDHU personnel are very supportive and always on hand when I have questions.
This year one of my main tasks was to organise a unit battlefield study (BS) to Poland. I chose to study the plight of the civilian population during the Warsaw Uprising of 1944, relating it to current and future operations and areas of military interest, in particular the Syrian conflict, in order to prepare personnel for the realities of war. The discussions and provisional groundwork can of course be done from the comfort of the classroom, but there is no comparison for walking in the shoes of the local population and seeing the atrocities they faced. In addition, the diverse rank-range and the professional mix of the group ensured that there were several lively discussions about various aspects of historic and contemporary issues in conflict. The trip was a huge success and I challenge anyone to organise a BS for his or her unit, as it is a wholly satisfying experience.
March saw the unit deploy on Ex GRIFFEN HERALD, a Force Troops Command exercise providing a demonstration of each unit’s capabilities. The VANGUARD hospital proved to be very captivating to the audiences coming through, enhanced by the excellent acting and make-up skills of the Trauma FX personnel who provided the casualty. I think the working dogs demo probably drew in a larger audience but only by the skin of their teeth.
It has been a world wind year that has flown by. I have been busy with many other events including the Florence Nightingale Commemoration Service at Westminster Abbey; attending DANS Symposium; and being part of the unit AMSTEE team, competing in various military and medical stands against all units in 2 Med Bde. What I enjoy most about the job is being part of a strong cohesive team that knuckles down in what has been a very busy year for the unit. I manage a troop of diverse individuals whom I would happily deploy out the door with at any given opportunity. It has been a hectic but fulfilling year and I thoroughly look forward to the next 12 months in the unit.
Capt Jo Yarker Troop Commander 22 Field Hospital
QA CORPS
DAY- RCDM
Birmingham
To celebrate the annual QA Corps Day, members of the Midlands Association Branch and QARANC personnel based within RCDM came together on Friday 28th March 2014. A church service was held within the multi-faith centre located in the New Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
The service was conducted by Padre Stephen Lamond. There was a great turn out of members, who brought along commendable singing voices worthy to be finalists on the X Factor...
Following the service the Padre took some members of the Midlands Branch for coffee and cake whilst RCDM personnel enjoyed an afternoon of bowling at Hollywood Bowl.
During the afternoon bowling session individuals battled it out to be crowned ‘King Pin’. This consisted of 2 games of bowling with light refreshments and refuelling half way through. It was great to see the competitive and team spirit throughout.
The ‘King Pin’ title was taken by Sgt ‘Levvy’ Leverton who didn’t STRIKE us as being a bowling legend; he smashed everyone off the score-boards. Second place went to Lt ‘Ritch’ Peterson who had the luck of the Irish on his side. Whilst it was evident that LCpl Andria McMurray has many talents, unfortunately bowling is not one of them. She achieved ‘Wooden Spoon’ status and a certificate for remedial training for her efforts.
We would like to thank SSgt Alison McDougall for organising the day and the CO’s Public Fund and QA Association for their generosity; which made this day possible and a great success.
Cpl Dudman and Cpl Jones
THE GAZETTE QARANC 23