Page 55 - QARANC Vol 14 No 9 2014

THE GAZETTE QARANC 53
Armed Forces Day - Stirling Scotland
The unveiling of a blue
plaque in memory of
Dame Maude McCarthy
Emma Maude McCarthy was born in 1859 Sydney, New South Wales Australia. In 1891 she immigrated to England and entered London Hospital, Whitechapel, to begin general nursing training as a probationer.
At the outbreak of the Boer War Maude was one of the six sisters selected from London Hospital by Princess Alexandra to go to South Africa as her own “military” nursing sisters. Maud served throughout 1899-1902 with the Army Nursing Service Reserve, receiving the Queen’s and the King’s Medal and the Royal Red Cross. Returning to England in July 1902, she was awarded a special decoration by Queen Alexandra.
Maud McCarthy helped in the formation of the new Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Services and at its conception was promoted to Matron. She served as Matron at many of the new British Military Hospitals such as the Cambridge Military Hospital, the Royal Victoria Military Hospital Netley and the Queen Alexandra’s Military Hospital Millbank.
In 1910 she was appointed principal matron at the War Office, a position she held until the outbreak of World War I.
Maud sailed in the first ship to leave England with members of the British Expeditionary Force in 1914. In 1915 she was the Matron-in-Chief of the BEF in France and Flanders, wherever British and allied nurses worked; she was directly responsible to General Headquarters. In August 1914, the numbers in her charge were 516; by the time of the Armistice they were over 6,000. She was responsible for the nursing of hundreds of thousands of casualties from 1914 to 1918.
In 1918, received a Bar to her Royal Red Cross and was awarded the Florence Nightingale Medal, the Belgian Medaille de la Reine Elisabeth, and the French Legion d’honneur and Medaille des Epidémies. She was Matron-in-Chief of the Territorial Army Nursing Service from 1920 until her retirement in 1925. Headed up by Col David Bates DANS, Sue Light researcher, English Heritage, the residents of Markham Square, serving and retired members of the QARANC, Lt Col Lindi Kibbey and I considered it a privilege to be part of the unveiling of a Blue Plaque in honour of Maud McCarthy placed on her Chelsea former home. Our grateful thanks go to the Residents. All who attended were invited to their garden party celebrating this auspicious occasion.
AJ
I along with Col Janet Gillies attended the above event and what a weekend it was. We were the only QA’s from the Association members attending this event and we were so proud to be part of this prestigious event and to fly the QARANC Banner.
Friday night a PIPEFEST with more than a 1,000 Pipers from across the world paraded from Stirling Castle Esplanade down through the City led by Europe’s only private Army the Atholl Highlanders.
Participants from Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, SouthAfrica,SwedenUSAand of course other Scottish bands with their Clans people following behind their own Pipe Band made a spectacular sight for the many hundreds that lined the streets to watch clap and cheer as they passed by.
Saturday morning 1,200 Veterans aged from 92 years old tomid20’slinedupalongside hundreds of serving personnel and Cadets to march through the City ending in the ancient Royal Parklands.
Pipes and Drums led 6 groups in all from Royal British Legion, Scots Guards, Royal Scots and Argylls. In addition at the Drum Head Service the bands were the HM Royal Marines Scotland, Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Central Band of the Royal Air Force.
Janet and I met one other retired QA officer and although not a member of our Association joined us in the Parade. Also from the London area we had 3 of our favourite Pensioners from the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
HRH The Princess Royal took the Salute accompanied by her husband Commander Tim Lawrence. Other distinguished people attending this very important parade were PM David Cameron, Opposition Leader Ed Milliband, SNP Leader Alex Salmon and many other Scottish dignitaries.
The Day was full of exciting events a complete Aviation programme with a Tornado flypast Helicopters, Red arrows and so many display teams. Main Stage had music, singers and dancers all afternoon including The Military
Wives Choir. Two other areas main arena and small area all had events to whet the
crowds appetite.
Sunday morning
we attended a special Commemorative Service For the Armed Forces at the Church of the Holy Rude (The Holy Rude was a medieval term for the Cross of Christ’s Crucifixion). Here
the Coronation of the Infant James 6th Scotland took place in 1567. Westminster Abbey is now the only
other active church in Britain where a Coronation has taken place certainly a weekend to remember.