Page 69 - QARANC Spring 2024

The Gazette QARANC Association 69
In 1966 she gained a licentiateship (L.G.S.M0) diploma in pianoforte playing at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and later, in 1979, was a worshipful Master of the Order of Women, Freemasons.
Betty was always ready to learn new things and took courses in sewing machines, beauticians typing, the Red Cross, tap dancing, and she also did a course in London for Slimming Club magazine. Over the years Betty did voluntary work for Citizens Advice, was treasurer of the West Bromwich Women’s Institute and opened a slimming club. She ran a Look after Yourself (LAY) course for a special needs group.
Betty was a lady with a pin-sharp mind, with a supreme gift of social communication and had an answer for everything. She enjoyed the company
Betty was a lady with a pin-sharp mind
of all her family and many friends. It was when she partook of a small tot of something that she’d burst into song sometimes singing, “Wish Me Luck as You Wave Me Goodbye”!
It is my one regret I didn’t get to meet Betty in person, as she had originally agreed to being a subject of an oral history project, but at 103 it was her prerogative to change her mind. Our sincere condolences were sent to Betty’s family, and it was lovely to offer the QA pall cover for her funeral.
Rest In Peace Betty.
Sue Reading Midland Branch
OBITUARY
John Anthony Cowan
10 March 1967 – 10 August 2023
Cpl John Cowan, who has died following a brain injury, joined 212 Fd Hosp as a Reservist on the 6 July 2007 and served for 14 years until the 12 April 2021.
During his time, he served on Operations in Iraq on Op Telic in 2009 and in Afghanistan on Op Herrick 13b in Primary Healthcare. His knowledge and expertise from working in the Prison Service ensured that he could deliver comprehensive care to those wishing to stop smoking and he conducted effective clinics in this speciality.
His NHS roles included working in Huddersfield A&E, Community Nursing Teams as well as the Prison Service. He undertook the Non-Medical Prescribing course which enabled him to work effectively as an autonomous nurse.
John was a MATT 3 instructor and loved his role in helping and educating others. He always approached his training with great enthusiasm, and this was infectious, enabling core training to be great fun. He loved his time as an Army Reservist and embraced many of the opportunities, including an Exercise in Wisconsin with the US Army.
His sense of humour and good nature made him a much loved and respected member of the team and he ensured that moral was kept at a high level.
John was the proud recipient of the Iraq (2009) and Afghanistan (2011) Medals and was awarded the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 and the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal in 2017.
John loved cycling but unfortunately, a fall from his e-bike in 2021 left him with a bad brain injury. Although his determination kept him going his condition deteriorated and he sadly lost his battle
His sense
of humour and good nature made him much loved and respected
in the loving care of Bradford Hospital in August 2023.
A service to celebrate John’s life was held at Park Wood Crematorium on the 25 August 2023 with a wake at the Bankfield Social Club, Elland. Several members and ex-member of 212 Field Hospital attended the service to say their goodbyes.
John is fondly remembered and missed by his colleagues at 212 Field Hospital. He is survived by his son Ben and daughters Emma and Laura.
Lt Col L J Baigent SNO, 212 Fd Hosp