Page 16 - QARANC Vol 14 No 12 2016

14 QARANC THE GAZETTE
QARANC Corps Day
It is not true that it always rains in Northern Ireland and we proved this, when on a glorious day in Belfast, the QARANC Association Branch Northern Ireland took the greatest of pleasure in hosting the National Corps Day Service and celebrations over the weekend of 20-21 March 2015. It came as no surprise that an earlier meeting between Colonel David Bates, our current Director Army Nursing Service (DANS) and Lt Col (Retd) Ruth Smith, Chair of the QARANC Association NI Branch would result in a decision for NI to host this event.
The NI Branch is still relatively small but actively growing, with current and former members of Regular and Reserve QAs with some members having served as far back as the 1970’s. Many of the newest members are Reserve Soldiers and Officer’s serving with the 2 Medical Units in NI, namely 204 Field Hospital and 253 Medical Regiment. Indeed Lt Col (Retd) Ruth Smith served with 204 Field Hospital before leaving as Regimental 2iC in 2005 and transferring to the Med Pool and has since then maintained close links with the Unit. This of course allowed for support to fall naturally from 204 in organising this prestigious event. Many of our fellow QA Association Branch members and serving members travelled from all over the UK on Friday 20 March. We saw attendance from several branches and regular Units such as 33 Field Hospital, The Defence School, MDHU(P) and MDHU(FP) as well as DPHCS NI. DANS was accompanied by SO1 Nursing, Col (Retd) Sue Bush in the role of both Col Commandant and of course Chair of the QARANC Association HQ. Col McDowell (Col TA) and many of the QARANC Commanding Officers and their Reserve representatives also joined us. We felt it important that
as we were holding our service of thanksgiving in the beautiful setting of St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast that we have representation from local dignitaries such as the Lord Lieutenant of Belfast and The Mayor of Castlereagh. In addition to this, members of the Healthcare sector such as the NI Health Minister, Chief Nursing Officer NI and Director RCN NI were also in attendance.
Many former members and those still serving have had postings or completed operational deployment in Northern Ireland over the years. During times of the troubles, the opening of Musgrave Park Hospital and the Duke of Connaught Unit, many QA’s have laughed and cried through shifts and in social settings, making lifelong friends and forming never to be forgotten memories. These, as we are being made more and more aware of, were good times for most and many look back with a laugh and a smile at the antics of being here as a QA in NI.
The Service of Thanksgiving on Saturday morning was held in the splendid setting of St Anne’s Cathedral where dignitaries including NI Minister of Health and the Lord Lieutenant of Belfast joined the Officers, SNCOs, Junior Ranks and retired members of the Corps. The service was conducted jointly by The Dean (Dean Mann) of St Anne’s Cathedral and Rev Kevin Graham, Padre of 204 Fd Hosp. During the service there was a rededication of a memorial plaque to nurses who died in the First World War. This plaque had previously been in an area not easily seen in the Cathedral and was moved to sit below the beautiful stained glass window, dedicated to the QARANC several years ago. There were also uplifting hymns, prayers and readings by QA personnel and the cathedral choir sang two moving introits.
Following the Service, guests were
transported by bus to the majestic Titanic building in Belfast, where a buffet lunch was enjoyed by everyone whilst taking in the outstanding views over the quays where the eponymous ship was built. For those who have not had the opportunity to visit Titanic, the room for the function replicates that of the grand ballroom on board Titanic. There was also a chance to have a photograph taken by Mike Bartlett, QA Association photographer on the replica of the majestic grand staircase of the ill-fated ship. There was much chatter and catching up with old friends and renewal of acquaintances from days gone by throughout the whole day.
The grandeur of the event was made possible by generous funding by the Royal College of Nursing (NI), Reserve Forces and Cadets Association and from the Headquarters of QA Association itself. It truly was a day to remember. QARANC Association NI Branch were honoured to have had the opportunity to host the 2015 Service and celebration and indeed, in the future hope to have the same opportunity.
Lt Col (Retd) Ruth Smith TD Chairman Welsh Branch