Page 35 - QARANC Vol 19 No 2 2021

The Gazette QARANC Association 33
Welsh Branch
Chair: Caroline Whittaker Secretary: Rosy Hubbard
Welsh Branch continued to use Zoom for informal get togethers until restrictions were lifted sufficiently for us to gather together again.
A Zoom Dinner was held on the 27 February to celebrate St David’s Day. We were joined by Colonel Commandant Colonel Kevin Davies and Association General Secretary Sue McAteer along with friends from across the UK. Suggestions for table decorations included dragons, who were not to be fed during dinner. Pre-dinner drinks were late due to the Welsh Rugby match! Leek eating and beer drinking followed. Music by a Welsh choir was played during the breaks. The Loyal Toast – was taken sitting down. It is interesting to understand that St David’s Day is the only time the Royal Welch Fusiliers toast, as in 1797 King George declared that loyal toasts be dispensed with, as the loyalty of the Royal Welch is never in doubt. Hence, they do not stand. A short history of St David was read out followed by the Welsh National Anthem. Lots of chatting, reminiscing and much laughter carried
on until late in the night.
Lyndon Davies, a branch
member, gave a fantastic
talk via Zoom earlier in the
year. Lyndon is currently a
Major in 203 (Welsh) Field
Hospital. He informed us of
how medicine had changed
and improved during WW2.
Lyndon spoke at length about Ernest Bulmer, a gastroenterologist from Birmingham, who joined the Territorial Army and 14th Birmingham Field Hospital in 1939. He served with the British Expeditionary force in France, later serving in the Western Desert Campaign in charge of No 2 General Hospital 1940-43. It was here that his knowledge was well used particularly in the treatment and more importantly prevention of Dysentery, Sand fly fever and malaria. Sickness absence rates were greatly reduced, infected patients were isolated and hygiene controls implemented. Things like ‘fitness to work’ medicals were carried out in UK prior to deployment. Other changes included surgical units moving closer to the front, improvement of transport facilities for medivacing patients
Welsh Branch Members celebrate Armed Forces Day
meant it was much faster. There were developments in anaesthesia. Dog tags with an individual’s blood group on them were introduced. Blood collections and transfusions improved. There were the well documented developments in plastic surgery and treatment of burns along with the introduction of antibiotics for infections. There was also improvement in treatment of tropical diseases particularly with the use of DDT being sprayed over large areas. By the end of the war Brigadier Bulmer had been made a CBE, Mentioned in Dispatches with a citation from General Montgomery and the American Legion of Merit presented by General Dwight Eisenhower. Lyndon finished his talk by telling us of the dreadful atrocities of the Alexander Massacre in 1942 where Japanese soldiers massacred over 200 staff and patients at the Alexandra
Hospital. This occurred despite the white flag being presented and the fact it was a hospital.
In June as Welsh COVID-19 restrictions changed, the branch celebrated Armed Forces Day with an afternoon tea hosted by the Branch Chair in her newly planted
garden (undertaken within COVID-19 Welsh guidelines). The weather was glorious with blue skies and sunshine. As a branch, this was our first occasion since 2020 lockdown that we were able to meet up face to face. It was lovely to meet up with old friends not seen for a long time and we welcomed in new members of the Association. It was a very pleasant afternoon where we were welcomed with a glass of Pimms and topped off with a delicious afternoon tea and cake. Looking around the garden there was a lot of lively chatter and laughter with lots of reminiscences being shared. The Association’s philosophy of friendship was very evident.
In July the branch visited Welsh Farmers Lavender Farm, not far from Sennybridge Ranges, the training area
A history lesson at Brecon Cathedral from Rodney Ashwood (Major Retd)
familiar to so many. The lavender farm is set in beautiful wild countryside with stunning views over Mynydd Epynt. On arrival we were served coffee and delicious homemade lavender cake. We had time to catch up, relax and enjoy the fantastic views. The fields, set out in regimented rows of lavender plants, varying in colour from pale mauve to a deep rich purple, the perfume as you brushed past was beautiful. Around the edges of the fields are areas of wild flowers and the farm has wonderful displays of colourful roses and poppies. Many of the plants are used in their products along with the lavender. There was a wild swimming pond where you could sit down and relax. For visitors they had built two adult swings and a see-saw. Every so often you would hear laughter ringing out over the farm as members tried them out, evoking childhood memories. The farm has a small shop where various lavender infused items and local crafts can be purchased. What a lovely and relaxing morning.
Following our visit to the Lavender farm we retraced our way back to the cathedral in Brecon where we had lunch in Pilgrim’s café. After lunch, we moved into the cathedral for a tour. During the tour we visited the Harvard Chapel (Regimental Chapel) where there is a roll of honour to the 5,500 fallen South Wales Borderers in WW1 and WW2. Numerous regimental colours, including those carried at the Battle of Rorke’s Drift by 24th Regiment of Foot (later the South Wales Borderers) hang in the chapel. We were given an interesting talk about the colours, initially the rallying point on the battle field and what they represent. Queen Victoria honoured 24 Regiment presenting them with a silver wreath of Immortelles which is displayed in the chapel. To complete the day, we visited the grave of Major Charles Henry Lumley VC who was based in Brecon barracks at the time of his death.
Valmai Davies
Diana McCrea Vice Chair
Lots of chatting, reminiscing and much laughter carried on until late in the night
BRANCH NEWS