Page 39 - QARANC Vol 20 No 2 2022

The Gazette QARANC Association 39
morning to attend whatever turned up at my clinic. Thank you, Army...... I didn’t do anybody any harm but did have to repatriate some workers, usually suffering from tuberculosis.
(Fortunately for me I had worked on a ward at CMH where many Gurkhas were being treated for tuberculosis). I learned to recognise and treat so many things, including malaria. All medication etc could be purchased over the counter at the downtown pharmacy, including antibiotics. Couldn’t happen now, I hope.
Stop the press, I’m pregnant!
Alec and I eventually resigned our jobs and returned to England. Alec signed up for a job in Iran, but the revolution happened so we stayed in Middlesbrough with family until after the birth of our son. Alec eventually took a job at Brymon Airlines, Plymouth, so another move.
I worked at the local Nuffield Hospital and gave birth to a second son. Then another offer we couldn’t refuse...... Bandar Seri Begawan. Where is that I hear you ask? Brunei.
So, with a four-year-old and a four- month-old off we went. I didn’t get a lot
Basic training, Royal Pavilion, Aldershot, 1971
of paid work out there, but I was always busy, including at one time teaching first aid to pilots.
Over six years we visited all the surrounding countries, and because Alec was working for Royal Brunei Airlines, we flew first class. Is there any other way to fly?
Back to UK, this time to East Grinstead in West Sussex. I worked at the Queen Victoria Hospital, famous for dealing with the horrendous burns pilots and crew had suffered in World War II. McIndoe had been the pioneering plastic surgeon and what amazing work he had done. I worked on Peanut Ward – children’s burns and plastics.
Later to South Wales and a nursing home job. Anything lacking in my nursing knowledge was quickly gained as I looked at the comorbidities of the elderly with a holistic approach to their care... never to be underestimated.
Alec was sent to Isle of Mann. Did I mention we are bikers? What an opportunity. I worked at the only hospital on the island, in theatre and then on the ward. During the TT fortnight I treated motorbike casualties
left, right and centre.
Finally, to Somerset... I decided
I’m not moving ever again and went to work at Musgrove Park Hospital in general theatres and then the outpatient department until retirement.
In all honesty I’ve never found myself lacking in all I’ve done. My training was such that when I didn’t know I could find out. Even when I was out of my comfort zone I could still cope. I’ve always been resourceful and resilient. Thank you, Army.