Page 48 - QARANC Vol 15 No 2 2017

46 QARANC THE GAZETTE
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Lt Col Josephine Jones TD 1940 – 2017
Josephine trained at The Royal Masonic Hospital from 1958-1961 where she developed her interest in theatre nursing, which remained her speciality throughout her clinical career before moving into management.
After a period as theatre sister at The Royal Masonic Hospital she moved to University College Hospital as Sister in Charge of the ENT theatre. She then moved to Hampstead General Hospital as Theatre Superintendent. She returned to The Royal Masonic Hospital as Nursing Officer for ITU and Operating Theatres. This appointment gave her the opportunity to develop skills in planning and commissioning when a new theatre suite and CSSD department were built.
In 1979 she was appointed as Nurse Planning Officer to BMI Healthcare, which was then absorbed into American Medical International. She was subsequently appointed as Matron of AMI Princess Margaret Hospital, Windsor.
Joining the National Association of Theatre Nurses, with her natural enthusiasm to get involved, she became a member of the Editorial Board of the NATN. She chaired the London Branch and was on the organising committee of the NATN of 1992.
With her interest and concern for the welfare of nurses she became a Trustee
of the national charity Nurse Aid which is now the Cavell Nurses Trust.
Her military career commenced in 1965 with her being commissioned into the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve as a Lieutenant in the QARANC.
As a theatre sister in 308 (County of London) General Hospital Unit she was promoted to Captain & then to Major in 1979. Later she was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel holding the post of Matron of the unit for four years. She was appointed Queen’s Honorary Nurse in 1988. She retired from the TA in 1991.
She maintained her interest and enthusiasm for the TA as Chairman and the QA Association Millbank Branch.
Her last formal appointment was as Chairman of The Friends of the AMS Museum (now the Museum of Military Medicine).
In all her various roles held throughout her life her management style was inclusive. She was given affection and loyalty from those who worked with and for her. Whilst maximising opportunities which came her way she also identified and nurtured others.
A gregarious lady whose laugh would find her in a crowd, she had a passion for large hats, statement dresses, a good drink and a day at the races.
She made her exit too early.
Judith H Sear
Maj (Retd) Pauline Cynthia Blakeborough nee Davis
Of the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps. Died 1st August 2017, aged 86 years.
Maj (Retd) Margaret Chalmers 1928–2017
It is with sadness that we announce the death of Maj (Retd) Margaret Chalmers. Margaret or Maggie as she was known to many of us died peacefully at home on 2 April 2017 after a long period of frail health.
Maggie was born and educated in Edinburgh. She had been a bright girl at school and on leaving she joined the Civil Service. At the age of thirty she decided on a complete change of career. After seeing an advertisement in The Lady magazine she applied to join the QARANC and was duly enlisted as a recruit for student nurse training.
Her career in the Corps progressed and she later trained as a midwife. She was commissioned in 1965 and served in a variety of postings including BAOR, Hong Kong and Northern Ireland.
Edinburgh where she had a wide variety of interests including the theatre. For thirty seven years she was a loyal and supportive member of Scottish Branch. Up until a year before her death when her health was obviously failing she was still arriving at Branch functions by taxi when the less brave of us may have been tempted to stay at home. She had her favourite taxi drivers who always saw her safely back into her flat.
Four members of the Branch, who had known and served with her, joined family, neighbours and friends at her funeral service.
Laura Murray Branch Chairman
Following her retirement in 1980 Maggie returned to