Page 51 - QARANC Vol 16 No 2 2018

THE GAZETTE QARANC 49
Obituaries
Natalie Brooks Watson nee Pooley 19 June 1935 – 16 November 2017
Natalie, the first child of Inez and Stan Pooley, was born in Risca, South Wales in 1935. During the war Natalie spent a very happy childhood surrounded by family and often spent holidays with her grandmother’s family in Somerset. When Natalie was eleven years old she was delighted to have a baby sister, Gillian, to play with and to mother. Natalie valued the caring community environment she grew up in and put much love and passion into creating this in her own life with her happy family. She attended Pontywaun Grammar School and soon realised that she wanted to pursue a career in nursing. In 1953 Natalie began her general nurse training at Cardiff Royal Infirmary followed by midwifery training in Bristol. Natalie joined the Territorial Army in the 1960s. in 1961 she became a sister at Bristol Royal Infirmary, where she met her husband, Michael, who was a medical student, and they married in 1963.
Natalie and Michael had three daughters, and after her first child Natalie resigned from the Territorial
Army, and later on joined the QARANC Association. Natalie wanted to be near her family in Wales and Michael became a partner in a GP practice in Cardiff where they made their home.
After her daughters were safely in school, Natalie became a nurse tutor at the University of Wales for many years. Besides having a family and
a career, Natalie was a member of many charity organisations including the QARANC Association, and was a founder member of the Trust for Sick Children in Wales, and was chair of the local Cancer Research committee. She was an excellent hostess and cook and was always very generous, hospitable and gregarious.
Over the past few years Natalie had suffered ill-health but attended events and functions whenever she was able. She was always so pleasant and happy even through her very bad times.
Natalie’s greatest love was her family and she was a devoted mother and grandmother, and dearly loved wife. Her life has enriched all who came into contact with her and she will be greatly missed by many.
Natalie’s funeral and internment was held on 1 December 2017 at St Denys Church, Lisvane.
Our deepest sympathy goes to her dear Michael and her dearly loved family.
Marilyn Williams Welsh Branch
Major Paul Malcolm QARANC
2017 was for some a very hard year. No more so than for the partner, family, and friends of Major Paul Malcolm QARANC who died on 24 July 2017 after a short illness.
212 Field Hospital mourn the loss of an exemplary officer and a true friend. He deployed in his role as a psychiatric nurse several times: he was a friend to all and a confidential ear to many more wherever he was. Paul could light up a room with his sharp wit and acute observations; he was a great people watcher, an artist in training, a proficient and enthusiastic climber and a lovely man. His infectious and unique laugh will be sadly missed for many years to come.
He is remembered in the 212 (Yorkshire) Field Hospital Book of Remembrance, which was commissioned partly because of his sad departure. He was buried in the Tithe Green Burial Ground following a service which was very well attended by people from all aspects of his life. Rest in peace Paul, or as Sam his partner wrote on his plaque ‘Shine bright’ which he always did in life.
Major Kenneth Thompson
Major Paul Malcolm