Page 53 - QARANC Vol 19 No 1 2021
P. 53
The Gazette QARANC Association 51
Between 1974 and 1989 Tricia worked at the QEH in Gateshead, first as a senior ward sister on the orthopaedic ward, then in 1982 as a nursing officer managing the surgical unit, which at the time had a two bed intensive care unit. In 1985 the newly built surgical unit was commissioned and Tricia became the nurse manager on the new 200 bed unit. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother opened the new building in 1986 and Tricia was amongst the many staff presented to Her Majesty. She left the NHS in 1989 to work in the private sector as a manager of a large nursing home for the elderly, returned to the QEH as night sister for one year and then went back to work as an inspector in Registration and Inspection of Care Homes until she retired in 2012. Tricia also held the post of company secretary for a registered charity in South Tyneside.
Marjorie Gray
2 July 1938 –
16 December 2020
Marjorie Catherine Gray, nee Macdonald, was born in Leith, Edinburgh on the 3 July 1938. She was the youngest of seven surviving children. Although times were hard, Marjorie enjoyed a more fortunate young life than her siblings. She was the youngest and was adored and somewhat spoiled by them all as they started working early in those days and were happy to treat the youngest member of the family.
Travel was something Marjorie enjoyed, from visiting cities such as Copenhagen with her Mother, and then as a teenager spending some time in Australia with her two sisters.
Marjorie joined the QARANC to train as an SRN. One of her postings, as a young nurse, that she had wonderful memories of, was the Far East. She met her and married her husband, who was a Paratrooper in the SAS, in Borneo and they married in Kuala Lumpur. Unfortunately, in those days when a female serving member married she had to leave the Service, which caused Marjorie great sadness. Marjorie had three children and eventually settled
Tricia was commissioned in 201 (N) General Hospital in 1986 as a Captain. She held many ‘junior’ posts and attended all unit training and many courses including junior and senior officer training courses. In 1991 she was mobilised along with 32 other members of the unit to the Gulf on OP GRANBY. She was promoted to major in 1992 and worked as assistant to the deputy matron, then became deputy matron. During this time she was also Officer Commanding (OC) A Detachment in Newton Aycliffe. In 2000 she became Officer Commanding Nursing Squadron on promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. During her tenure as OC Nursing, 41 nurses were deployed to Iraq on OP TELIC 1.
In July 1984 201 was granted the Freedom of the City of Newcastle, accepted on behalf of the unit by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
down to married life in Hereford. Marjorie’s love of the QAs prompted her to join the Hereford Branch of the Association, where she proved to be a keen member who attended most functions. When Hereford Branch closed Marjorie transferred to the Welsh Branch, and despite the difficulties of travelling such a great distance from Hereford by public transport, as she did not drive, Marjorie still managed to attend events when possible. She was never seen without her QA badge, which she wore proudly on a chain
around her neck.
Marjorie battled cancer and heart
disease and went on to give back to the supporting services after these difficult periods in her life by volunteering in the British Heart Foundation Shop.
Marj, as she was known to family and friends, was a hard worker and very independent with a keen sense of humour and an infectious giggle. A dog lover to the extreme, she often commented, with a twinkle in her eye, that dogs were preferable to people. She was kind and funny, generous, and loving to those she cared for and often went home to Edinburgh to be with family and friends.
During Tricia’s tenure, in March 2002 the unit held a Service of Thanksgiving, Commemoration and Dedication of the QARANC, followed by a Freedom Parade through Newcastle.
On 16 June 2003, Tricia and Captain Allan Fitzgerald, 201 RAO, were married, four and a half months before the completion of her tenured post.
On retirement from 201, Tricia worked for two years within the manpower pool at 2 Medical Brigade, with the team assessing and training units in their pre-deployment exercises.
Tricia was awarded the Territorial Decoration (TD) in 1998, and clasp in 2004, the Gulf Medal in 1991, and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.
(Taken from the Centenary History of 201 Field Hospital)
Marjorie’s love of travel continued, enjoying coach trips abroad with her friends, until sadly she became ill with Alzheimer’s disease. She still remembered her QA Association friends when we visited her and enjoyed lunch at the local garden centre. Old QA photos and memorabilia would bring the memories of her Army experience flowing back!