Page 41 - QARANC Vol 15 No 1 2017

really friendly atmosphere in Cardiff city centre.
Marilyn & I were the only two from the Branch able to attend this year. We were greeted like old friends by those we had met previously in April, and the rest of the
congregation were equally as welcoming.
We were included in the Act of Remembrance and
proudly laid the QA wreath alongside others. We were surprised, during the reading of the names of local war veterans, to hear the name, “Edith Cavell”. Nobody, however, appeared to know how she was connected to the church, a topic for research!
Vanessa, the lady who arranged our flowers for Corps Day, showed that this was not her only talent, as her beautiful voice rang out when she led some of the responses during the service.
Mike, the organist, went out of his way to make the Service extra special for us by playing our Corps March at the end.
Afterwards we joined everyone for coffee & cake and interesting chats with the congregation members.
Remembrance Wreaths were laid in other venues by
Branch members. In Talgarth two of our members laid wreaths at the War Memorial. Jacqui Wilding, in her capacity as Lord Mayor of Talgarth laid one on behalf of the Town Council, and Valmai Davies for the QA Association.
Other members went to celebrate with our larger family at the Cenotaph in London.
Christmas Lunch
On the first Friday in December a number of members & family & friends met at Radyr Golf Club for our Christmas Lunch. This event is always well attended and 32 of us joined in the festivities this year, with guests from the Welsh Western Front, Phil Davies and Gareth Pennell from the Royal British Legion, who had ensured that our Mametz Wood Tour in July was a most memorable event. There was much merriment and Christmas cheer; a wonderful start to Christmas
Following a busy 2016, we look forward to meeting our friends again in 2017.
Rosy Hubbard Branch Secretary
THE GAZETTE QARANC
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BRANCH NEWS
A Very Special Veteran, Vera Vaughan, Celebrates Her 104th Birthday
Vera Vaughan is a very special member of the Welsh Branch, who is well on her way to receiving her second telegram from the Queen, sent on the 105th birthday and every subsequent birthday.
Vera was born in Llandrindod Wells, one of six children, and was educated at the local County School. On leaving school she was determined to move to London. She became a nurse 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 1941 she enlisted in the QAIMNS and served in Palestine, Egypt, Tripoli and Italy. In Italy she visited Rome and was blessed by the Pope, Pope Pius X11. At the end
of the war Vera returned to Llandrindod Wells where she opened a drapery shop with her sisters.
Vera has been a long-term member of the Royal British Legion and has memories of attending a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace where she was presented to the Queen Mother, and she also remembers presenting a purse to Princess Margaret. Over the years she has helped many voluntary organisations in the area. Vera is a cheerful lady who continues to be interested in current affairs and local events. She puts us to shame with her extremely alert mind and incredible memory, much better than our own put together. An incredible lady!
Vera reached her 104th birthday on 2 September last year, and, like the Queen, had numerous celebrations. On her actual birthday Branch Members visited her at home where we found her partying with friends in the communal lounge of her accommodation. We joined in the merriment, viewing her many cards and gifts and partaking of her “first” birthday cake of many. A week later we joined her again; this time it was a 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 the local press photographed her with the Mayor, local MP, Roger Williams and Ray Rand, an official from the Royal National Institute for the Blind. The party was attended by 35 friends and was a lively one, with a singalong of wartime songs to the vocal and piano accompaniment by local artists; even the cockatiel joined in.
A sumptuous buffet had been provided and yet another birthday cake was enjoyed.
Chocolate Cake – Vera’s favourite!
Last year an article on Vera’s “War Travels” was published in the Gazette, which portrayed her incredible QA career.
Rosy Hubbard