Page 55 - QARANC Vol 20 No 3 2023

The Gazette QARANC Association 55
OBITUARY
‘She gave her all in everything she did’
Lt Col (Retd) Beryl Melvin (nee Jones) OBE RRC TD 22 June 1940 – 29 July 2022
I first met Beryl when she joined 203 Welsh General Hospital in 1990 as Deputy Matron. She had the most amazing sense of humour and my lasting memories of her include cheering her nurses on at camp when undertaking the BFT.
Beryl was friendly, supportive, easy to talk to, and my role model when I later became Matron of 203 Welsh Field Hospital. She was well respected by all ranks and Beryl and her husband Robin made a lovely couple whilst both serving in 203.
Beryl was born in Llwynwpia in the Rhondda during the Second World War, to Edward and Elizabeth Jones. Her mother was a shopkeeper and her father an engineer. She was educated at Caerphilly Grammar School.
Beryl trained as a State Registered Nurse at Llandough Hospital in 1962. A year later, she moved to the Hammersmith and Barry hospitals, gaining her State Certified Midwifery qualification.
In 1964 Beryl was commissioned into the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps. Whilst in the Army, in 1969, she qualified as a Registered Mental Nurse. She served in Singapore and Hong Kong, retiring from the Army as a major in 1975, following her marriage to Robin.
Qualifying as a Health visitor from Keele university in 1976, Beryl obtained, in 1978, a Certificate in Health Education. She qualified as a district nurse in 1980 and became Nursing Officer in charge of Denbigh community hospital and community nursing service until November 1981.
Following a move back to South Wales she was part of the commissioning team for BUPA Hospital Cardiff and became its first Matron in 1982.
Later Beryl became a member of the Welsh National Board for Nursing, subsequently becoming the first private health provider member of the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting, serving on its professional conduct and health committees.
In 1984 she was appointed Nursing Officer Primary Care, Children’s Services and Health Promotion at the Welsh Office, becoming Deputy Chief Nursing Officer in January 1989 until her retirement in March 1997.
She always gave her all in everything she did,
and whilst she was rightly proud of all she achieved, her family clearly meant so much more to her.
Following her retirement, Beryl became director and company secretary of Alpha and Omega 2099 Ltd and director of Alpha Consolidated Training ltd retiring from this post in 2005. She was also part time advisor to the Department of Health from 1998 – 2004, Non- executive director of Gwent NHS Trust form 2000 – 2006, and Liveryman of the Worship Livery Company of Wales since 2002.
Beryl married Robin in 1975, aged 34, became had two children, Caroline and Sonya, bringing consistent love and stability to their lives with her typical devotion, determination, understanding and discipline.
She always gave her all in everything she did, and whilst she was rightly proud of all she achieved, her family clearly meant so much more to her.
Her granddaughters Phillipa and Charlotte were born in 1990 & 1991 respectively and Beryl enjoyed being a part of their lives, bringing a brightness only Granny could bring, together with huge understanding, love and simply loved being their Granny. Her great grandchildren have also been a great joy to her.
Beryl served in the Territorial Army from 1976 and as Matron of 203 Welsh General Hospital from 1990-1994. She was awarded the Territorial Decoration in 1991, the Royal Red Cross for services to military nursing in 1993 and the Order of the British Empire in 1997 for services to child health and nursing in Wales.
Beryl joined the QARANC Association Welsh Branch in 2002 where she was Vice- Chair for several years, joining in the activities with a smile and sense of humour.
Whilst Beryl’s list of honours is truly amazing it was her own family that was her greatest honour. On 29 July 2022, Beryl sadly lost her battle with a long-term illness and passed away.
A service was held at the Forest of Dean Crematorium. Where many members of her family, and friends together with QARANC association members and colleagues from her time in 203 Field Hospital.
Beryl will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege to know her. I am grateful to Col. Robin Melvin for allowing me to use the words from Beryl’s eulogy to form the basis of this obituary.
Lt Col (retd) Valmai Davies