Page 16 - The Gazette Autumn 2023

16 The Gazette QARANC Association
‘Corps Day in a coronation year was all the more special’
St Barbara’s Church in HMS Excellent, Portsmouth was the setting for this year’s QARANC Association Corps Day on 26 March 2023.
Joint Hospital Group South (JHG(S)) celebrated QARANC Corps Day by holding a service at the historic St Barbara’s Church in HMS Excellent. The day was attended by the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Hugh Mason and Lady Mayoress Marie Costa and the South Downs Branch QA Association.
Senior QARANC members including Col Paul Jackson CNO(A), Col Comdt Carol Kefford OBE, Col Graham Johnson Army Medical Service (AMS) Corps Col, WO1 Debs Hamilton QARANC Rep SM, Mrs Sue McAteer Regt Sec and special guests from Portsmouth University Hospital Trust were also present.
The service was officiated by Rev James Francis RN, the Chaplain of HMS Excellent. During the opening hymn, the Association Standards were received, and music was led by the organist Benedict King, the organ scholar of Portsmouth Cathedral.
Corps Day enables personnel from past and present to come together to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It was especially poignant as it was hosted at Whale Island, a unique place which is home to State Gun Carriage for the late HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
Surgeon Rear Admiral Fleur Marshall MA MRCGP KHP, the head of the Royal Navy Medical Service, said: “I am delighted to welcome the Annual Service of thanksgiving in this Coronation year. It marks the 169th anniversary of the founding of the Army Nursing Service, which later became The Queens Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps in 1949.
“The QA’s have always been there for the needs
The QA has always been there for
the needs of the British Medical Services and their allies
of the British Medical Services and their allies, local civilians, the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. Along with your counterparts in other Services you set a world-class standard of nursing care that you can be justly proud of.
“I send our very best wishes to you and all members of the QARANC Association today on your Corps Day. Thank you to you and your families for your skills and dedication to service and your amazing commitment to our people.’’
After the service, official photos were taken, and a buffet lunch was served in the wardroom. It was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with friends and marked the special year of the HRH King Charles III coronation.
Cpl Olga Douw & Pte Luca Micheli JHG(S)