Page 42 - QARANC Vol 16 No 1 2018

40 QARANC THE GAZETTE
Vera Vaughan
Born 2 September 1912. Died 2017
A very Special Member of the Welsh Branch
Vera Vaughan was born the daughter of a grocer, in Middleton Street, Llandrindod Wells, on 2 September 1912. She was one of six children and was educated at the local County School. On leaving school Vera was determined to move to London. She did her SRN training at King’s College Hospital during the 1930s, after which she moved to Buxton, Derbyshire, where she worked in a clinic for rheumatic disorders.
When the Second World War was declared, Vera moved home to Llandrindod Wells and was employed by the Civil Nursing Reserve. In search of “something more exciting”, Vera enlisted into the QAIMNS in 1941. She was initially interviewed in Talgarth, and following her acceptance was posted to Hatfield House in Hertfordshire. From here Vera went to Liverpool and in June 1942 embarked on the hospital ship, Empress of Australia. She was by now 26 years old and “burning with desire for adventure”.
Her journey took her from Liverpool around the southern tip of Africa to Aden, the Suez Canal and then overland to Jerusalem. Vera went on to work amongst the orange groves in military hospitals in Palestine, Jerusalem, Haifa, Nazareth, Gaza, Monte Casino and Rome, and as well as surgical cases, nursed those with malaria and sand fly fever. She nursed a mixture of nationalities: British, Australians, Kiwis, South Africans, Indians, Polish and often Prisoners of War.
The hospital in Rome was also a Training college for Popes and Vera boasted proudly to have had an audience with, and was blessed by Pope Pius X11. She was in Rome on VE day and joined in the great celebrations.
Vera also nursed in a military hospital in Naples and was attached to a maxillo-facial and neurological unit. This was the time of the Battle of Monte Casino and she would never forget those terrible casualties of war. The motto in those days was “Work Hard & Play Hard” and Vera remembered many good social functions, especially the clubs in Rome.
After the war Vera left the QAs so that she could care for her parents. She became matron of a children’s home in Hereford, and later, with her
sisters, opened a drapery business selling children’s clothing.
Vera had been a long-term member of the Royal British Legion and had memories of attending a garden party at Buckingham Palace where she was presented to the HM the Queen Mother. She also remembered presenting a purse to HRH Princess Margaret. Over the years she had helped many voluntary organisations in the area.
Vera was a lovely, cheerful and intelligent lady who was very much interested in current affairs and local events. She put us to shame with her extremely alert mind and incredible memory!
Vera reached her 105th birthday on 2 September 2017 and was overjoyed to receive her second birthday card from the Queen, as well as one from the First Minister for Wales, the Rt Hon Carwyn Jones, and the Secretary of State for Works and Pensions, the Rt Hon David Gauke MP.
As usual Vera had numerous birthday celebrations. On her actual birthday, branch members visited her at home where much chocolate cake was consumed – Vera’s favourite. She also had her usual birthday party organised by the Visually Impaired Club, which meets at her accommodation once a month. Vera was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers by the Mayor of Llandrindod Wells and local
Vera Vaughan as a young QAIMNS sister
MP, Roger Williams, with the local press, as ever, taking photos.
Two years ago an article on Vera’s “War Travels” was published in the Gazette, which portrayed her incredible QA career.
Sadly this lovely and very intelligent lady, with a wealth of experience and memories, passed away on 21 January 2018. She will be very much missed.
Rosy Hubbard Secretary, Welsh Branch
Vera Vaughan celebrating her 105th birthday in 2017