Page 46 - The Gazette Autumn 2023

46 The Gazette QARANC Association
NI BRANCH
‘Meeting up to enjoy world renowned gardens’
Northern NI Branch is starting to pick up the tempo with get togethers into the middle of the year.
A very successful Corps Day led
by 204 Fd Hosp and 253 Med
Regt saw Branch members and
their friends and family combine
with serving reservists for a thanksgiving service followed by a beautiful afternoon tea held at Thiepval Barracks Garrison Church. It was such a lovely way to be together after so much time.
Members are busy in the community and in life more generally, so when we do spend time together, we enjoy the opportunity to catch up, reminisce and make plans.
Our first summer event was held at the beautiful Mount Stewart, a national Trust estate in County Down. QA Association members brought guests to the afternoon event. Mount Stewart House is a neo classical stately home for the ‘Londonderry’ family and the unique gardens are considered among the most outstanding in the world.
Mount Stewart hosts events throughout the year and twice this summer the Martello Jazz Band were invited to play in the grounds. Whether a fan of Jazz or not they entertained with music and songs from years past, many of which we all know so a great sing along. Picnics consumed and maybe an ice cream (despite a drizzle of rain at the end of the afternoon).
On 16 May I was delighted to attend the Florence Nightingale Foundation Commemoration Service and represent 335MER in my capacity as SNO. Travelling from Northern Ireland with members of 204 Fd Hosp, we joined many colleagues and companions for this service.
Since 1965, The Florence Nightingale Foundation has hosted this annual service in Westminster Abbey. It has been cancelled only once in 58 years, in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Florence Nightingale was known as ‘The Lady with The Lamp’ and so the lamp is central to the service. The commemoration brings together nurses internationally, nationally and from Defence to celebrate the work carried out by the nursing fraternity and remember Florence Nightingale who paved the way for excellence in nursing.
Lt Col K McFadden-Newman ARRC, NI Branch Secretary
‘A great opportunity to learn new skills’
In addition to being a soldier in 335 Medevac Regiment, I am an emergency and pre- hospital emergency care nurse and recently completed a two- week exercise supporting the Army ’s LCpl Leadership and Development course (ALDP).
Due to ongoing commitments supporting Ukraine training in the UK, the enabling staff earmarked for the course were reduced and a short task turn around request for support cascaded. As a keen Reservist and instructor within the Regiment, I volunteered for the trawl for the course being held at DMS(W).
During the course and Exercise phase I provided real life medical care support and was introduced to the tasks carried out by course instructors. This included the setting up of lessons, issuing kit and equipment, planning the appropriate areas for field exercises such as care under fire, section attacks and navigation.
This was a great opportunity to learn new skills in terms of coordinating equipment from the armoury and ensuring ammunition was stored, distributed, and replenished as required. I assist in the preparation of recruits for training therefore this experience has allowed me to further develop my skills to support future recruits for training but importantly, candidates in preparation for promotion courses.
Cpl Cowan
EM and PHEC nurse 335MER