Page 56 - QARANC Vol 14 No 7 2013

54 QARANC THE GAZETTE
and another sister were in charge of an intensive care ward – a new experience for them both! The colonel made a round once a week. The ward had the only fridge in the hospital so he once enquired its use. Betty had never used it for anything but – hazard a guess – medicines and injections!. He opened the door. All she could see was ice-cream. He shut the door smartly before matron could see! She then moved to a ward for walking wounded. She might receive 30-40 patients from the ambulance train, many needing change of dressings and all requiring feeding. Neither she of the patients had any cutlery.
The next stop was Weteringe, North Rhine – Westphalia, located in a convent much closer to the fighting. Casualties arrived quickly and as most were on stretchers on the ground the QA’s were allowed to wear trousers. Betty was allocated to a night duty on VE Day. Many people were billeted on the unit, mostly on the way to work in the prisoner of war camps. All had the use of the dining room. Betty discovered the electric lights did not work so she had to borrow hurricane lamps so the ‘guests’ could see to eat.
Eventually six QA’s were sent on embarkation leave, prior to going to India to replace colleagues who had been there for several years. They had two weeks of luxury on the Empress Of Canada, sailing to Bombay where Betty saw the small church where her parents had been married. They travelled overnight to Poona, then onto Secunderabad in Hyderabad state. There was nobody there to claim the now 30 QA’s. The station master could not leave until he got rid of his ‘guests’, Eventually a Matron arrived. She explained that it was three months since she had requested extra staff but since the hospital had now been downsized she did not need them. She had brought a 3-ton truck with her and could offer a ‘sleepover’ until she found out what to do. All had more leave around Ooticamund. Betty loved walking the residency dachshunds and managed to keep one. She then moved to the hospital in Jallahalli. There she contacted infective hepatitis and, after recovering she was due for demobilisation, arriving home October 1946.
On demobilisation Betty completed an orthopaedic course in Oxford. Thereafter the rest or her career was spent in Northern Ireland, rising through the nursing hierarchy – from Matron Dungannon/Londonderry to District Administrative Officer Altnagelvin Hospitals. She was appointed OBE for her contribution to nursing. She retired in 1976 to a lovely cottage at the back gate of Tolleymore Forest Park Bryansford County Down. This was ideal for walking her beloved dachshunds. She also ensured that the ‘old dears’ living around her were in good shape. This latter she continued well into her nineties, even though the majority were mere children by comparison. She gave up driving at ninety – when she saw two cars where she knew there was only one. A wise decision.
Betty was 93 when she did the Old Testament reading – Jeremiah 30:17-22 at a service of thanksgiving for the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps during which a memorial window was dedicated – Wednesday 14 October 2009. Betty was full of independence and complete with crutches travelled by bus – 30 miles - on several occasions to rehearse and enunciated beautifully at the service in the presence of our Patron.
A QARANC Association – NI Branch did exist in the 1960’s /1970’s, Betty being involved with this but, for obvious reasons it was disbanded in the 1970’s.
Betty was a special person. She was a born organiser. Her concern was always for the well being of others. She died on the 7 September 2012.
Joan Thompson, NI Branch
The late Captain G.M. de Wardt
– QARANC
Dear Miss H. Duncombe
Thank you ever so much for your letter of the 8th April 2013 and enclosure.
I attach several photograph’s of my mother for submission into the next Association magazine. I thank you for the most kind offer of submitting pictures of my late mother into the Association magazine.
I have attached the photo’s it was very hard to choose relevant one with a hope of jogging memories. I hope that some of your member’s may recall or shed some light upon my late mother’s QARANC career, exploits and character. I look forward to hearing from anyone who remembers her.
I obviously do not expect all the photographs to be included, and am most happy for you/the editorial team to decide on best photograph’s to include that my best target your members. Please feel free to include my address in the article.
I do recall my mother receiving these magazines and being a member of the QARANC Association.
Picture taken 1973 for a passport photo (may assist members post her leaving the QARANC’s)
It would be so nice to receive
a copy of your November Association magazine should
my mother’s pictures be included. With grateful thanks, George Poole dgdpoole@btinternet.com
Mum standing by her car - this she learnt to drive in. I think whilst based in Germany.