Page 22 - QARANC Vol 18 No 1 2020

20 The Gazette QARANC Association
34 Field
Hospital
personnel
take on
Nijmegen
In July 2019, personnel from 34 Field Hospital set out to the Netherlands to take part in the four day 100 mile march in Nijmegen. The event was founded in 1908, where originally only 306 participants, all of whom were male and only 10 civilians took part. However, in 2019 over 40,000 participants marched through and around the area of Nijmegen.
Prior to the event we undertook a series of build-up training events such as walking the coastal path from Scarborough to Filey, as well as walking to and from York city centre from Strensall. This preparation enabled the team to wear in new boots to prevent blisters.
Captain Rennie and Privates Eusden and Fisher took part in the opening ceremony of the event. This involved an 8km march through the town centre of Nijmegen where local people lined the streets to celebrate the international forces coming together for the event. All participating troops gathered in the town centre where the flags of all international teams were raised.
The following day, Captain Hiley and Private Burke attended a sunset parade. This night time march was conducted as a tribute to the allied soldiers who fought for the liberation of The Netherlands, especially to those who lost their lives. The bridge, Oversteek, spanning over the river Waal was constructed close to the area where members of the US 82nd Airborne Division landed on 20 September 1944 as part of Operation Market Garden. At sunset, 48 pairs of street lights were illuminated as the parade slowly marched past each set. These lights represent the number of allied soldiers lost on that fateful day. Each and every night since the construction of the bridge in 2013, a military veteran walks the sunset march at dusk.
The first day of the Nijmegen March commenced on Tuesday 16 July. As
Preparing to set off from Kamp Heumensoord
part of the event, males were required to carry 10kg in their daysacks, whereas the females carried extra water for the team. The team awoke at 02 30 hours to report and set off at 04 30 hours. Despite the early start and weary eyes, we were greeted with a number of enthusiastic spectators blasting out motivational music. The team set off at a blistering pace, however after feeling some hotspots on our feet, we made a wise decision and settled into a comfortable pace. Every few miles, rest stops enabled the team to remove boots, patch up irritating areas of our feet and provide us with some much needed refreshments. While the brief respites allowed the team to sit back and relax for a couple of minutes, the recommencement of the march proved difficult. It took at least 200 painful metres for the team to settle back into a steady pace. As the day progressed and everyone began to get tired, the morale of the team was always boosted as we entered small villages where local people generously provided all marching competitors with drinks, sweets, and occasional free hugs, much to the delight of Privates Burke and Fisher. After completing the first 26 miles of Day 1, the team were overjoyed to return to camp and get a refreshing shower and rest in preparation for the days ahead.
The next three days took their toll on the team; however despite the painful blisters and niggles that came with the fatigue, all the 34 Field Hospital team completed the event and we were
The team in Arnhem
awarded our individual medals as well as our team medal. After we received medals and had a short rest stop came the last 5km of the event where all British military participants then marched together through the town of Nijmegen carrying the traditional gladioli flower, where we also received huge amounts of applause from spectators all the way to the finish line.
After the four day event was completed, the team had a trip to Arnhem, where we visited the Airborne Museum which was really educational for us to learn about the heroic acts by servicemen. The Commonwealth War Memorial was also visited, where we paid our respects and we finished our day by visiting the main road bridge.
Whilst everyone enjoyed the experience of the Nijmegen March and some great memories were made whilst there, some of the team have decided it will just be a one time thing. However, some members of the team are keen to participate again next year.
Lance Corporal Mangham