Page 21 - QARANC Vol 14 No 7 2013

in a Despatch for distinguished service. I am charged to record His Majesty’s high appreciation.’ so reads the document signed by the Secretary of State for War, The Right Honourable The Lord Lawson PC.
Mada married William (Bill) Clare in 1955. Mada remained forever active. She retained her links with the QARANC through the Milbank branch of the QARANC Association. Here she knew Dame Margot Turner, former Matron-in-Chief of QARANC and Director, Army Nursing Services (1964 - 68) and Colonel-Commandant of QARANC (1969 - 74).
Finally, in September 2009 Mada and Bill moved into a quiet nursing home in Kesgrave, Suffolk
On this remarkable day, I was honoured to make a presentation to Mada on behalf of the Director of Army Nursing Services and the Chairman of the QARANC Association. Alongside a bouquet of flowers (in Corps colours) card and a cheque for Mada to treat herself, she was also presented with the book ‘Sub Cruce Candida: A celebration of one hundred years of
Army Nursing’. It was signed with a tribute to Mada by the Director, Colonel Pete Childerley L/QARANC. Mada was delighted especially with the latter as there in the early pages were photographs relating to her time in the Corps. One picture featuring a field hospital in 1944 was taken when Mada was there. She remembered it well recalling the names of the nurses featured. ‘I wasn’t in that picture.’ she said. ‘I was over there, probably behind that tent!’ It was extraordinary to listen to her and felt as if you were in
the presence of ‘history’.
The character of Mada was neatly
summed up by her great nephew James (aged 10 years) who remarked, ‘I never realised until today how very special my Great Aunty is.’ I know I can speak on behalf of all members of the QARANC in wishing Mada many more happy birthdays to come.
Maj Alison Cripps
QARANC
To read the full version of Mada’s fascinating story please contact the Gazette Editor.
THE GAZETTE QARANC 19
Medically discharged – but definitely not out
After being injured in 2000 whilst on a military course and the PAP 10 rules being changed, I was unfortunately Med Boarded in 2012 with a chronic shoulder injury and Multiple Sclerosis. Naturally I was very disappointed with this as I had given 20 years of my life to the QARANC as a Community Mental Health Nurse and on the whole had enjoyed my career very much. However, as you know, life throws some unique situations at you when you least expect it and I was lucky enough to be one of these people.
I was contacted by Help 4 Heroes and advised they were looking for Service and Veterans to be part of the Military Paralympics Great Britain Team to go to the Warrior Games in Colorado Springs. This was a competition which the US Forces (Marines, Army, Air Force, Navy Coastguard and Special Ops) had invited us to in the previous year but we were there just for exhibition. This time it was to compete against then for real. I immediately started training very hard in swimming to see if I could be chosen. A team of 28 serving military and Veterans had been selected to represent GB against the Americans and I was one of them. As you can imagine it gave my morale a big boost and some pride and self worth back that I had lost, plus a goal in life that I never
thought would be possible.
On the 7th May 2013 at stupid o’clock I arrived at LHR
and met 7 others of the team. Most of us had H4H or Band of Brother clothing on so we would recognise each other as many of us had never met before. The main bulk of the people had gone 4 days earlier and we were to meet them in the hotel that evening. Getting through security was quite a drama as some of the guys had prosthetics limbs and the security beeper kept going off. Eventually we were on our way, first to Chicago and then to Colorado. Many people stared at this “motley crew” making its’ way through the airport and onto the plane but the guys seemed used to it. We had a great welcome form the Colorado airport staff and we were escorted priority through and fast tracked outside. Martin Colclough who was in charge of the trip met us and then we made our way in the Olympic training Centre bus to the hotel where we met the rest of the team. There were 7 females and 21 males, most of whom had at least one limb missing. I must admit I felt a bit of a fraud to begin with as my injury/illness was “hidden” from view.
The sports were Archery, Cycling, Sitting Volleyball, Track and Field, Swimming and Shooting. Every morning we had a