Page 48 - QARANC Vol 20 No 1 2022

48 The Gazette QARANC Association
Obituaries
‘A sister and a friend’
Mrs Valerie Elaine Evans
21 September 1942 – 15 January 2021
Mrs Valerie Evans is fondly remembered by the Midland Branch as a sister and a friend. For those who did not have the pleasure of knowing Valerie, she was tough, no nonsense and independent, but also a lively and jolly person who adored her family, dogs, and who loved life.
Valerie’s colourful life began in Ely, Cambridgeshire, after her family were evacuated there from London during the Second World War. She was one of seven children and unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances was split up from some of her siblings as some went to live with other family members in Wales and Bristol.
Valerie remained with her mother and her brother John, whilst her father was overseas on active duty. Valerie and John became very close and remained so for the rest of her life. Despite her family continuing to be spread across the world, Valerie and her family would travel to meet and have a weekend get together once a year.
After the war, the family returned to London and Valerie attended school in Chelsea, before the family moved to Loughton and continued schooling in Essex. On leaving school, Valerie began her student nurse training in Epping and after qualifying, she was notified by St Margaret’s Hospital that she had been awarded the Theatre Course Proficiency Prize and this became her chosen career pathway.
Valerie’s career took her to many locations including St Mary’s, London in 1967, where she moved into theatre nursing. Valerie took on many senior roles including teaching, and in the late 70s she met and married a surgeon, and they relocated to the West Midlands, where Valerie joined the Nuffield Trust.
Valerie was instrumental introducing the NVQ qualifications into Nuffield Hospital and gaining approval for ODP Level 3 and Care level 2 NVQ courses. Valerie took over the teaching of the ENB 176 course and was very successful at implementing this.
In 1981 Valerie joined 202 General
Field Hospital RAMC (V), which later became 202 Field Hospital (V) RAMC (V), and was commissioned into the QARANC, reaching the rank of major. She was awarded the territorial decoration in 1993.
During her time in the QARANC, Valerie undertook the role nursing officer in charge of the surgical complex, which was designated to provide 24-hour surgical capability, should hostilities arise. She introduced a comprehensive training package in the operating department for non- nursing and non-technical ranks, which became a success and is continuing to this day.
In 1997, Valerie retired from Territorial Army and at the same time left her employment at the Nuffield Trust and became a self-employed health care trainer.
She moved to a little rustic cottage in Gnosall in Stafford and enjoyed gardening. Valerie was a keen walker and took part in hundreds of walks all over Europe, including historic walks linked to the two world wars. Valerie also owned rescue dogs.
Although Valerie was unable to attend branch meetings due living so rurally, she always supported the branch and we spoke on numerous occasions.
Sadly, Valerie’s health deteriorated, and she moved into a care home in Wolverhampton in 2020. I was able to visit Valerie and deliver a gift from the association. So, it was nice to finally meet this lovely lady and although I was unable to go inside the home due to Covid restrictions, I was able to speak to Valerie through an open window and we chatted about day-to-day things. I remember saying to Valerie that once this is all over, hopefully we can get together for lunch with the rest of the Branch members.
Sadly, this never happened as Valerie passed away at the beginning of 2021. She is survived by her brother Eric and other family members.
Mrs Valerie Evans was bid a fond farewell and was laid to rest on the 15 February 2021 in Yeovil.
Collette Froggatt Secretary, Midland Branch