Page 4 - QARANC Spring 2024
P. 4
4 The Gazette QARANC Association
President’s
foreword:
75 years of the
QARANC!
What would the nurses of 1949 have thought as they prepared to change from the Queens Alexandra’s Imperial Nursing Service to a new Corps and a new name? I am sure it took a while to adjust but they saw it as a great step forward for nursing in the Army with a bright future ahead of it.
And what a bright future it has been! Three quarters of a century later, nurses are still delivering at the highest levels and receiving deserved accolades and recognition for their work on and off the battlefield. This continual support of the nation is something that should be celebrated and that is what we are intending to do over the course of this year.
When we look back over the decades, there have been three Colonels in Chief, 21 Colonels Commandant, 19 Directors of Army Nursing Services (DANS) and Matrons in Chief (Army) of which the first was Brigadier Dame Anne Thomson DBE, RRC, who was also the King’s Honorary Nursing Sister, and four Chief Nursing Officers (Army) of which I am the current one, also a Kings Honorary Nurse which has a good symmetry to it. I could not guess how many nurses, ward stewardesses and healthcare assistants have served across the world. Everyone has had a part in making the Corps what it is today.
This anniversary is tinged with sadness with the passing of Colonel Bridget McEvilly CBE ARRC at the end of January who was DANS from 1999-2002 and our Colonel Commandant from 2008-2011. She was a consummate professional who everyone remembers fondly, and her family and friends are in our thoughts.
As we look back at the formation of the Corps in February 1949, we must consider our history before that. Recent editions of the Gazette have covered that history, which has led to some discussion. We can all agree though that nurses have been supporting armies of this nation for a considerable time in one form or another. Since the establishment of the Army Nursing Service in 1881, which became the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Nursing Service in 1902, nurses have delivered the best patient care possible across multiple war zones and at home. We still celebrate their achievements and remember their sacrifice today at various events.
In our 75th year we still see QARANC personnel who have rightly received national recognition for the Services to Nursing with the award of the ARRC in the New Year Honours – congratulations to Maj Jackson, Maj Hughes, and SSgt Davies.
As people move on in their careers, we continue to
I could
not guess how many nurses, ward stewardesses and healthcare assistants have served across
the world. Everyone has had a part in making the Corps what it is today.
welcome those joining the Corps from recruit training or transferring in from other Corps or Services to commence nurse or health care assistant training or arriving as qualified direct entrants. It is a great privilege to meet them at their graduations, once again, I have been very lucky to attend the graduation of nurses from Birmingham City University group 09/19 and the HCAs course 001/23. I also managed to speak to our newest members on their Entry Officers Course and the Transition to Military Practice course. It is great to see so many new members starting their journey in the Corps. Their enthusiasm reminds me so much of myself as I embarked on my career in the QARANC. It demonstrates to me that the Corps and Nursing is in a good position for the future.
This edition of The Gazette has some great articles celebrating the success and diversity of the Corps, success at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst to the LGBT Defence Awards and much more to keep us all up to date with what is going on around the country and world. This is what makes The Gazette such great reading for all and provides us a historical record of what we have done. The editor and team have been working hard for us all and have arranged for previous Gazettes to be made available online so we can all look back at all the previous articles. A real treasure trove of memories and record that will mean so much to so many.
I look forward this year to seeing some of you at the celebratory events. Happy 75th birthday.
Col Paul M Jackson KHN
Chief Nursing Officer (Army) President of the QARANC Association