Page 50 - QARANC Vol 15 No 2 2017

48 QARANC THE GAZETTE
Maj Margaret A.L. Johnston QARANC (V) 1943-2017
Maj Maggie Johnston died suddenly at home in March this year.
Maggie was born and raised in Newtonmore and followed her mother’s example by choosing a nursing career. She started that career at Princess Margaret Rose Orthopaedic Hospital (PMR) in Edinburgh undertaking the certificate in orthopaedic nursing before completing the general nursing course at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where she also gained the renowned ‘Pelican’ badge in 1965.
From her student days, Maggie identified orthopaedic theatre nursing as her specialism and on registration returned to PMR where, apart from a brief spell in Glasgow, she remained there as Theatre Sister, Nursing Officer and latterly Principal Nurse. She retired after overseeing the hospital’s relocation to the new Infirmary in 2001.
During her time in Glasgow she joined 205 Scottish General Hospital as a nursing officer, transferring to Edinburgh on her return to PMR.
Maggie was not the best at marching and being ‘military’ but her cheery manner ensured she got away with it. When she and another were leading a group of new ‘lady officers’ on a map reading exercise over the hills, she advised that owing to the uniforms of that time having few pockets, they should take their handbags. Being taken by a 4 ton truck to the set off point, the group, wearing ponchos and carrying
Last Post
The following deaths have been notified to RHQ without any obituary information.
October 2016
Mrs Lisa WATERSTON – 22 Oct 16
November 2016
Mrs Linda EDWARDS – 25 Nov 16
January 2017
Mrs Doreen RIDDLESTONE – 31 Jan 17
February 2017
Mrs Lorraine WEBB – 12 Feb 17
April 2017
Miss Doris L STANNARD – 14 Apr 17 Ms Barbara BROOKES – 21 Apr 17 Muriel Rose WORKER – 25 Apr 17 Maj (Retd) Mildred E HIETT
(nee WAINWRIGHT) ARRC – 30 Apr 17
handbags, retired to the local cafe for coffee. The locals, and sergeants, were amazed by this sight and the latter equally amazed when all completed the course.
In 1990 Maggie, along with most of 205, was mobilised to serve in Gulf War 1. In January 1991 the unit, now 205 General Hospital, set up a hospital in the incomplete part of the new civilian airport at Riyadh. Maggie did not work in theatre but used her management skills. While there were fortunately only a few patients admitted to the hospital, the period was tense due to the high volume of alerts and actual scud attacks. Her birthday ended with a dramatic pyrotechnic display as a patriot missile took out a scud directly above us – one of the many occasions spent in full NBC gear and either in a corridor or under a table!
Maggie rose to the rank of Major and Deputy Matron. After retiring from 205 she maintained her links with the unit through reunions and as an active member of the QARANC Association. Her retirement from the NHS also enabled her to develop her love of art. She attended classes in painting, tapestry weaving, and collage at home and abroad.
Maggie was a friend to all who knew her and had the talent and enthusiasm to do much more.
Maj (Retd) M P Collingwood Maj (Retd) I M Gibson
May 2017
Annette Marguerite FARRELL – 15 May 17
Dates Not Known
Miss Margaret DAVIDSON – Date not known Margaret DONALDSON – Date not known Mrs L M TAYLOR – Date not known.
Miss Sarah J TAYLOR – Date not known