Page 20 - The Gazette Autumn 2023

20 The Gazette QARANC Association
‘Fun, friendship and fine dining at our
2023 Reunion Lunch’
The Victory Services Club in Central London provided a prestigious venue for the Association’s annual Reunion Lunch, as Gazette Editor Steve Bax reports.
Described as “London’s best kept military secret,” the Victory Services Club near to Hyde Park was founded in 1907 by Major Arthur Haggard to promote ‘esprit de corps’ within the military. So, it was a very fitting location for the annual social gathering of QARANC Association Branches and members on Saturday 15 April.
Once again, the event was very well attended, with the hall and bars packed with members young and old, a mix of serving personnel, reservists, and veterans.
Sue McAteer, General Secretary of the QARANC Association and Regimental Secretary, updated everyone on key moments from the previous 12 months, accompanied by a photo reel on the big screen. The 75th anniversary of the Association had been marked at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, said Sue. The Association paid for the path to our memorial to be resurfaced and is planning to add engravings and information boards. We have introduced a maintenance contract to ensure the garden will continue to look its best whenever anyone visits.
We had marked 100 years of male nurses with an event at Netley last September, attended by our Patron HRH Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. And there have been changes of personnel within the office team and the trustees. Sue also updated on the Gazette’s switch to recyclable paper, and the introduction of a digital edition. The Association had also welcomed 95 new members since the previous AGM.
Col Paul Jackson, Chief Nursing Officer (Army) and President of the QARANC Association spoke about the great support he had received since taking up his post in November, and touched on Project Victoria, a review of the four Corps. Whatever happens, Col Jackson assured: “As soon as we know, we will let you know.”
A wider health care review will look at our capabilities out to 2030. Col Jackson said nursing and the QARANC will have a large voice in that, whether about hospitals, primary health care or deployments. And some lighter news: next year will be the 75th anniversary of the QARANC. Col Jackson promised: “There was a lot of celebration for the 70th anniversary and there will be a celebration for the 75th, we just need to work out what it is and where. But it will be a good old knees up.”
Pat Gibson, Chairman of Aldershot Branch, was welcomed on stage as the winner of the Outstanding Contribution to the Association. Col (Retd) John Quinn, Chairman of the Association, paid tribute to her excellent contribution, and told the nurses gathered: “You are all winners. From the day we start training we begin to realise there is no job description
If there’s a problem,
I always count on the RAMC to get a nurse to fix it! That’s because we are good
at difficult things
and you do much more than what is expected. And this carries on in life. If there’s a problem, I always count on the RAMC to get a nurse to fix it! That’s because we are good at difficult things.”
Col Kevin Davies paid tribute to his fellow Col Commandant, Carol Kefford OBE, who was stepping down after six years with our enormous thanks. He said: “Carol and I met 30 years ago when I was an RAMC nursing officer. Even then she was so supportive. And when I took my post as Col Commandant it was in the throes of COVID pandemic. We had a lot to deal with around supporting people and Carol’s leadership and intimate knowledge was a force multiplier. The analytical questioning led by Carol, so incisive, so detailed and so to the point, often leaves me with open jaw. It’s an absolute pleasure to work with her.”
Col Kefford, who was presented with a painting of the King Edward VII ward (now the Cardiff Royal infirmary) reflected that her time as Col Commandant of the QARANC Association had been “the honour of my life”. She said: “The Corps is in good shape. Our students, junior nurses, all ranks are in such good heart and such energy – and when Kevin and I collectively faced difficult times we got that energy from the Corps.”
Following the speeches members enjoyed a sumptuous three course meal and took the opportunity to laugh, swap stories and strengthen the bonds of friendship. Don’t miss next year’s event in Birmingham on 27 April 2024 (see p7 for details).