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{{short description|Nursing arm of the British Army}}
{{short description|Nursing arm of the British Army}}
{{redirect|QAs|other uses|QA (disambiguation)|and|QAS (disambiguation)}}
{{redirect|QAs|other uses|QA (disambiguation)|and|QAS (disambiguation)}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox military unit
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps
| image = 176queenalex.png
| unit_name = Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps
| caption = Cap Badge of the QARANC
| image = 176queenalex.png
| dates = 1949 – present
| caption = Cap Badge of the QARANC
| country = {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| dates = 1949 – present
| allegiance =
| country = {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| branch = {{army|United Kingdom}}
| allegiance =
| type =
| branch = {{army|United Kingdom}}
| role = Medical support
| type =
| size =
| role = Medical support
| size =
| command_structure = [[Army Medical Services]]
| garrison =
| command_structure = [[Army Medical Services]]
| nickname = ''The QAs''
| garrison = [[Staff College, Camberley]]
| patron =
| nickname = ''The QAs''
| motto = ''Sub cruce candida''<br />(Under the White Cross)
| patron =
| motto = ''Sub cruce candida''<br />(Under the White Cross)
| colors =
| colors =
| march = Quick: ''Grey and Scarlet''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/Grey_and_Scarlet-Website.pdf|title=Grey and Scarlet – The Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps Quick March}}</ref>
| march = Quick: ''Grey and Scarlet''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/Grey_and_Scarlet-Website.pdf|title=Grey and Scarlet – The Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps Quick March}}</ref>
| mascot =
| mascot =
| battles =
| battles =
| anniversaries =
| anniversaries =
| notable_commanders =
| notable_commanders =
| colonel_of_the_regiment = Colonel Alison Farmer ARRC QHN
| colonel_of_the_regiment = Colonel Paul Jackson
| colonel_of_the_regiment_label = Chief Nursing Officer (Army)
| colonel_of_the_regiment_label = Chief Nursing Officer (Army)
| corps_colonel =
| corps_colonel =
| ceremonial_chief = [[Sophie, Countess of Wessex|The Countess of Wessex]] [[Royal Victorian Order|GCVO]]
| ceremonial_chief = [[Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh|The Duchess of Edinburgh]]
| ceremonial_chief_label = Colonel-in-Chief
| ceremonial_chief_label = Colonel-in-Chief
| identification_symbol = [[File:QARANC TRF.svg|100px]]
| identification_symbol = [[File:QARANC TRF.svg|100px]]
| identification_symbol_label = Tactical Recognition Flash
| identification_symbol_label = Tactical Recognition Flash

}}
}}
[[File:QAIMNS.jpg|thumb|War memorial in [[Kilkenny]], Ireland, listing Matron Elizabeth Kelly Parker (QAIMNS) among [[First World War]] deaths; she died of illness contracted while serving in [[Sultanate of Egypt|Egypt]] in 1916.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://astreetnearyou.org/person/476917/Matron-Elizabeth-Kelly-Parker|title=Matron Elizabeth Kelly Parker Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. Died Monday 16 October 1916|first=James|last=Morley|website=A Street Near You}}</ref>]]
[[File:QAIMNS.jpg|thumb|War memorial in [[Kilkenny]], Ireland, listing Matron Elizabeth Kelly Parker (QAIMNS) among [[First World War]] deaths; she died of illness contracted while serving in [[Sultanate of Egypt|Egypt]] in 1916.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://astreetnearyou.org/person/476917/Matron-Elizabeth-Kelly-Parker|title=Matron Elizabeth Kelly Parker Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. Died Monday 16 October 1916|first=James|last=Morley|website=A Street Near You}}</ref>]]

'''Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps''' ('''QARANC'''; known as ''the QAs'') is the [[nursing]] branch of the [[British Army]] and part of the [[Army Medical Services]].
'''Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps''' ('''QARANC'''; known as ''the QAs'') is the [[nursing]] branch of the [[British Army]] [[Army Medical Services|Medical Services]].


==History==
==History==
Although an "official" nursing service was not established until 1881, the corps traces its heritage to [[Florence Nightingale]], who was instrumental in lobbying for the support of female military nurses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/army-medical-services/|title=Army Medical Services|website=www.army.mod.uk}}</ref> The '''Army Nursing Service''', which had been established in 1881, and which from 1889 provided Sisters for all Army hospitals with at least 100 beds,<ref name=DBWO>{{cite book|first=Peter|last=Gordon|first2=David|last2=Doughan|title=Dictionary of British Women's Organisations, 1825–1960|year=2001|pages=120}}</ref> had only a small number of nurses in its employ. In 1897, in an effort to have nurses available if needed for war, the service was supplemented by '''[[Princess Helena of the United Kingdom|Princess Christian]]'s Army Nursing Service Reserve''' (PCANSR). Nurses registered for the service and by the beginning of the [[First Boer War]] the reserve had around 100 members, but swelled its membership to over 1400 during the conflict. PCANSR eventually became the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service.<ref name="Piggott1990">{{cite book|last=Piggott|first=Juliet|title=Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OIejAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT37|year=1990|publisher=Pen and Sword|location=Havertown, England|isbn=978-1-4738-1739-5|pages=37, 53}}</ref> In March 1902, '''Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service''' ('''QAIMNS''') was established by [[Warrant (law)|Royal Warrant]], and was named after [[Alexandra of Denmark|Queen Alexandra]], who became its president.<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |articlename=Naval & Military intelligence – Imperial Military Nursing Service|day_of_week=Friday |date=28 March 1902 |page_number=8 |issue=36727}}</ref> In 1949, the QAIMNS became a [[corps]] in the British Army and was renamed as the '''Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps'''. Since 1950 the organisation has trained nurses, and in 1992 men were allowed to join.<ref name=DBWO/>
Although an "official" nursing service was not established until 1881, the corps traces its heritage to [[Florence Nightingale]], who was instrumental in lobbying for the support of female military nurses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/army-medical-services/|title=Army Medical Services|website=www.army.mod.uk}}</ref> The '''Army Nursing Service''', which had been established in 1881, and which from 1889 provided Sisters for all Army hospitals with at least 100 beds,<ref name=DBWO>{{cite book|first=Peter|last=Gordon|first2=David|last2=Doughan|title=Dictionary of British Women's Organisations, 1825–1960|year=2001|pages=120}}</ref> had only a small number of nurses in its employ. In 1897, in an effort to have nurses available if needed for war, the service was supplemented by '''[[Princess Helena of the United Kingdom|Princess Christian]]'s Army Nursing Service Reserve''' (PCANSR). Nurses registered for the service and by the beginning of the [[First Boer War]] the reserve had around 100 members, but swelled its membership to over 1400 during the conflict. PCANSR eventually became the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service.<ref name="Piggott1990">{{cite book|last=Piggott|first=Juliet|title=Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OIejAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT37|year=1990|publisher=Pen and Sword|location=Havertown, England|isbn=978-1-4738-1739-5|pages=37, 53}}</ref> On 27 March 1902,<ref>Juliet Piggott, ''Famous Regiments: Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps'' (Leo Cooper Ltd, 1975) p. 38</ref> '''Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service''' ('''QAIMNS''') was established by [[Warrant (law)|Royal Warrant]], and was named after [[Alexandra of Denmark|Queen Alexandra]], who became its president.<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Naval & Military intelligence – Imperial Military Nursing Service|date=28 March 1902 |page=8 |issue=36727}}</ref> In 1949, the QAIMNS became a [[corps]] in the British Army and was renamed as the '''Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps'''. Since 1950 the organisation has trained nurses, and in 1992 men were allowed to join.<ref name=DBWO/>


The associated Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps Association is a [[registered charity]]. Queen Alexandra was President from 1902 until her death in 1925. The following year she was succeeded by [[Mary of Teck|Queen Mary]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nam.ac.uk/online-collection/detail.php?acc=1981-06-33-1|title=Skirt worn by Sister A Stewart Wyatt, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service, 1902|publisher=National Army Museum|access-date=2 October 2016}}</ref>
The associated Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps Association is a [[registered charity]]. Queen Alexandra was president from 1902 until her death in 1925. The following year she was succeeded by [[Mary of Teck|Queen Mary]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nam.ac.uk/online-collection/detail.php?acc=1981-06-33-1|title=Skirt worn by Sister A Stewart Wyatt, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service, 1902|publisher=National Army Museum|access-date=2 October 2016}}</ref>


==Territorial Force Nursing Service==
==Territorial Force Nursing Service==
The [[Territorial Force Nursing Service]] (TFNS) was originally formed to staff the territorial force hospitals at home, and the majority of its members spent their wartime service in the United Kingdom, not only in the 25 territorial hospitals, but also in hundreds of auxiliary units throughout the British Isles. Within a short time they were also employed in the eighteen territorial hospitals abroad, and alongside their QAIMNS colleagues in military hospitals and casualty clearing stations in France, Belgium, Malta, Salonica, Gibraltar, Egypt, Mesopotamia and East Africa.<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=https://britisharmynurses.com|title=History of British Army Nursing|publisher=Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps Association|access-date=9 May 2019}}</ref>
The [[Territorial Force Nursing Service]] (TFNS) was originally formed to staff the territorial force hospitals at home, and the majority of its members spent their service during [[World War I]] in the United Kingdom, not only in the 25 territorial hospitals, but also in hundreds of auxiliary units throughout the British Isles. Within a short time they were also employed in the eighteen territorial hospitals abroad, and alongside their QAIMNS colleagues in military hospitals and casualty clearing stations in [[Western Front (World War I)|France and Belgium]], [[Malta]], [[Macedonian front|Salonica]], [[Gibraltar]], [[Egypt]], [[Mesopotamia campaign|Mesopotamia]] and [[East African campaign (World War I)|East Africa]].<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=https://britisharmynurses.com|title=History of British Army Nursing|publisher=Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps Association|access-date=9 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=11 December 1920 |title=Territorial Force Nursing Service, City and County of London. Matron-in chief Report. |work=The Nursing Record |pages=326 |volume=65 |issue=1706}}</ref>


==Territorial Army Nursing Service==
==Territorial Army Nursing Service==
The Territorial Army Nursing Service (TANS) was formed in 1920, when the Territorial Force was renamed the Territorial Army. It existed until 1949, when both regular and reserve nurses joined the QARANC. Territorial Army nurses served alongside QAIMNS nurses all over the world, and in all campaigns during WW2.<ref name="history" />
The Territorial Army Nursing Service (TANS) was formed in 1920, when the Territorial Force was renamed the Territorial Army. It existed until 1949, when both regular and reserve nurses joined the QARANC. Territorial Army nurses served alongside QAIMNS nurses all over the world, and in all campaigns during [[World War II]].<ref name="history" />


==Ranks==
==Ranks==
Line 59: Line 60:
| Senior Sister<ref>Introduced at some time between 1902 and 1919 as Assistant Matron.</ref> || [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|Captain]]
| Senior Sister<ref>Introduced at some time between 1902 and 1919 as Assistant Matron.</ref> || [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|Captain]]
|-----
|-----
| Matron || [[Major]]
| Matron || [[Major (rank)|Major]]
|-----
|-----
| Principal Matron || [[Lieutenant-Colonel]]
| Principal Matron || [[Lieutenant-Colonel]]
Line 68: Line 69:
|}
|}


==Senior Corps Appointments==
==Senior appointments==
The Colonel In Chief is [[The Countess of Wessex]] GCVO. The Corps has two Colonels Commandant, Colonel Carol Kefford who was appointed in 2018 and Colonel Kevin Davies MBE RRC OStJ TD DL who was appointed in 2020.<ref name="command">{{cite web|url=https://britisharmynurses.com/command-control-of-army-nurses/|title=Command & Control of Army Nurses|publisher=Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps Association|access-date=10 May 2019}}</ref>
The Colonel in Chief is [[The Duchess of Edinburgh]] GCVO GCStJ CD. The Corps has two Colonels Commandant, Colonel Andrea Lewis RRC, who was appointed in 2023, and Colonel Kevin Davies MBE RRC OStJ TD DL, who was appointed in 2017.<ref name="command">{{cite web|url=https://britisharmynurses.com/command-control-of-army-nurses/|title=Command & Control of Army Nurses|publisher=Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps Association|access-date=10 May 2019}}</ref>


In January 2016 a new post, Chief Nursing Officer (Army), replaced the role of Matron-in-Chief and the Director Army Nursing Services.<ref name="command" />
In January 2016 a new post, Chief Nursing Officer (Army), replaced the role of Matron-in-Chief and the Director Army Nursing Services.<ref name="command" />


==List of Chief Nursing Officers (Army)==
==List of Chief Nursing Officers (Army)==
*Colonel Karen J Irvine, January 2016 - January 2018<ref name="command" />
*Colonel Karen J Irvine (January 2016 – January 2018)<ref name="command" />
*Colonel Alison McCourt OBE ARRC QHN, February 2018 - 2019<ref name="command" />
*Colonel Alison McCourt OBE ARRC QHN (February 2018 – 2019)<ref name="command" />
*Colonel Alison Farmer ARRC QHN, December 2019 - current<ref name="command" />
*Colonel Alison Farmer ARRC QHN (December 2019 – Nov 2022)<ref name="command" />
*Colonel Paul Jackson (Nov 2022 – Present)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Today we wish a fond farewell to Col... – QARANC Association |url=https://www.facebook.com/315216905321683/posts/today-we-wish-a-fond-farewell-to-col-alison-farmer-arrc-khn-as-she-hands-over-th/2338832642960089/ |access-date=2023-02-01 |via=Facebook}}</ref>


==List of Matrons-in-Chief QAIMNS/QARANC==
==List of Matrons-in-Chief QAIMNS/QARANC==
[[File:Nursing Recommendation of Annie Burns (nee MacKenzie).jpg|thumb|A letter of recommendation signed by the Matron in Chief for a nurse in the QAIMNS Reserve who served from 1915–19 "in Egypt and [[Home front during World War I|At Home]]" (1925)]]
[[File:Nursing Recommendation of Annie Burns (nee MacKenzie).jpg|thumb|A letter of recommendation signed by the Matron in Chief for a nurse in the QAIMNS Reserve who served from 1915 to 1919 "in Egypt and [[Home front during World War I|At Home]]" (1925)]]
*[[Sidney Browne|Dame Sidney Browne]], 1902 – 1906
*[[Sidney Browne|Dame Sidney Browne]] (1902–1906)
*[[Caroline Keer]], 1906 – 1910
*[[Caroline Keer]] (1906–1910)
*[[Ethel Becher|Dame Ethel Becher]], 1910 – 1919 <ref name="WWI">Such was the expansion of QAIMNS during the First World War that there were three Matrons-in-Chief simultaneously (Becher, McCarthy & Oram).</ref>
*[[Ethel Becher|Dame Ethel Becher]] (1910–1919)<ref name="WWI">Such was the expansion of QAIMNS during the First World War that there were three Matrons-in-Chief simultaneously (Becher, McCarthy & Oram).</ref>
*[[Maud McCarthy|Dame Maud McCarthy]], 1914 – 1919 (France & Flanders) <ref name="WWI"/>
*[[Maud McCarthy|Dame Maud McCarthy]] (1914–1919) (France & Flanders)<ref name="WWI"/>
*[[Sarah Oram|Dame Sarah Oram]], 1915 – 1919 (Middle East)<ref name="WWI"/>
*[[Sarah Oram|Dame Sarah Oram]] (1915–1919) (Middle East)<ref name="WWI"/>
*[[Beatrice Isabel Jones]], 1916 – 1920 for [[Mesopotamia]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Newman|first=Vivien|title=We Also Served: The Forgotten Women of the First World War|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4KF2BQAAQBAJ&pg=PT111|year=2014|publisher=Pen and Sword|location=Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England|isbn=978-1-4738-4527-5|page=111}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|title=The Passing Bell|journal=[[The British Journal of Nursing]]|date=29 January 1921|volume=66|issue=1713|url=http://rcnarchive.rcn.org.uk/data/VOLUME066-1921/page066-volume66-29thjanuary1921.pdf|access-date=3 September 2016|publisher=[[Royal British Nurses Association]]|location=London, England|page=66}}</ref>
*[[Beatrice Isabel Jones]] (1916–1920) for [[Mesopotamia]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Newman|first=Vivien|title=We Also Served: The Forgotten Women of the First World War|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4KF2BQAAQBAJ&pg=PT111|year=2014|publisher=Pen and Sword|location=Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England|isbn=978-1-4738-4527-5|page=111}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|title=The Passing Bell|journal=[[The British Journal of Nursing]]|date=29 January 1921|volume=66|issue=1713|url=http://rcnarchive.rcn.org.uk/data/VOLUME066-1921/page066-volume66-29thjanuary1921.pdf|access-date=3 September 2016|publisher=[[Royal British Nurses Association]]|location=London, England|page=66}}</ref>
*[[Anne Beadsmore Smith|Dame Anne Beadsmore Smith]], 1919 – 1924
*[[Anne Beadsmore Smith|Dame Anne Beadsmore Smith]] (1919–1924)
*[[Florence Hodgins]], 1924 – 1928
*[[Florence Hodgins]] (1924–1928)
*[[Rosabelle Osborne]], 1928 – 1930
*[[Rosabelle Osborne]] (1928–1930)
*[[Marguerite Medforth]], 1930 – 1934
*[[Marguerite Medforth]] (1930–1934)
*[[Daisy Martin (British Army officer)|Daisy Martin]], 1934 – 1938
*[[Daisy Martin (British Army officer)|Daisy Martin]], 1934–1938)
*[[Catherine Roy]], 1938 – 1940
*[[Catherine Roy]] (1938–1940)
*[[Katharine Jones|Dame Katharine Jones]], 1940 – 1944
*[[Katharine Jones|Dame Katharine Jones]] (1940–1944)
*[[Louisa Wilkinson|Dame Louisa Wilkinson]], 1944 – 1946
*[[Louisa Wilkinson|Dame Louisa Wilkinson]] (1944–1946)
*[[Lilian Hunnings]], 1946 – 1948
*[[Lilian Hunnings]] (1946–1948)
*[[Anne Thomson|Brigadier Dame Anne Thomson]], 1948 – 1952
*[[Anne Thomson|Brigadier Dame Anne Thomson]] (1948–1952)
*[[Helen Gillespie|Brigadier Dame Helen Gillespie]], 1952 – 1956
*[[Helen Gillespie|Brigadier Dame Helen Gillespie]] (1952–1956)
*[[Monica Golding|Brigadier Dame Monica Golding]], 1956 – 1960
*[[Monica Golding|Brigadier Dame Monica Golding]] (1956–1960)
*[[Barbara Cozens|Brigadier Dame Barbara Cozens]], 1960 – 1964
*[[Barbara Cozens|Brigadier Dame Barbara Cozens]] (1960–1964)
*[[Margot Turner|Brigadier Dame Margot Turner]], 1964 – 1968
*[[Margot Turner|Brigadier Dame Margot Turner]] (1964–1968)
*[[Barbara Gordon (British Army officer)|Brigadier Barbara Gordon]], 1968 – 1973
*[[Barbara Gordon (British Army officer)|Brigadier Barbara Gordon]] (1968–1973)
*[[Helen Cattanach|Brigadier Helen Cattanach]], 1973 – 1977
*[[Helen Cattanach|Brigadier Helen Cattanach]] (1973–1977)
*[[Joan Moriarty|Brigadier Joan Moriarty]], 1977 – 1981
*[[Joan Moriarty|Brigadier Joan Moriarty]] (1977–1981)
*[[Vera Rooke|Brigadier Vera Rooke]], 1981 – 1984
*[[Vera Rooke|Brigadier Vera Rooke]] (1981–1984)
*[[Rita Hennessy|Brigadier Rita Hennessy]], 1985 – 1989
*[[Rita Hennessy|Brigadier Rita Hennessy]] (1985–1989)
*[[Jill Field|Brigadier Jill Field]], 1989 – 1992
*[[Jill Field|Brigadier Jill Field]] (1989–1992)
*[[Hilary Dixon-Nuttall|Brigadier Hilary Dixon-Nuttall]], 1992 – 1995
*[[Hilary Dixon-Nuttall|Brigadier Hilary Dixon-Nuttall]] (1992–1995)
*[[Jane Arigho|Brigadier Jane Arigho]], 1995 – 1999
*[[Jane Arigho|Brigadier Jane Arigho]] (1995–1999)
*[[Bridget McEvilly|Colonel Bridget McEvilly]], 1999 – 2002
*[[Bridget McEvilly|Colonel Bridget McEvilly]], 1999–2002)
*[[Kathy George|Colonel Kathy George]], 2002 – 2005
*[[Kathy George|Colonel Kathy George]] (2002–2005)
*[[John Quinn (British Army officer)|Colonel John Quinn]], 2005 – 2008
*[[John Quinn (British Army officer)|Colonel John Quinn]] (2005–2008)
*[[Wendy Spencer|Colonel Wendy Spencer]], 2008 – 2011
*[[Wendy Spencer|Colonel Wendy Spencer]] (2008–2011)
*[[Pete Childerley|Colonel Pete Childerley]], 2011 – 2013
*[[Pete Childerley|Colonel Pete Childerley]] (2011–2013)
*[[David Bates (British Army officer)|Colonel David Bates]], 2013
*[[David Bates (British Army officer)|Colonel David Bates]] (2013–2016)


==List of Matrons-in-Chief TFNS/TANS==
==List of Matrons-in-Chief TFNS/TANS==
*[[Sidney Browne|Dame Sidney Browne]], 1909 – 1920
*[[Sidney Browne|Dame Sidney Browne]] (1909–1920)
*[[Maud McCarthy|Dame Maud McCarthy]], 1920 – 1925
*[[Maud McCarthy|Dame Maud McCarthy]] (1920–1925)
*[[Anne Beadsmore Smith|Dame Anne Beadsmore Smith]], 1925 – 1931
*[[Anne Beadsmore Smith|Dame Anne Beadsmore Smith]] (1925–1931)
*[[Rosabelle Osborne]], 1931 – 1936
*[[Rosabelle Osborne]] (1931–1936)
*[[Agatha Phillips]], 1936 – 1940
*[[Agatha Phillips]] (1936–1940)


==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|United Kingdom|War}}
{{Portal|United Kingdom}}


===Other Army Medical Services===
===Other army medical services===
* [[Royal Army Medical Corps]] (RAMC)
* [[Royal Army Medical Corps]] (RAMC)
* [[Royal Army Veterinary Corps]] (RAVC)
* [[Royal Army Veterinary Corps]] (RAVC)
* [[Royal Army Dental Corps]] (RADC)
* [[Royal Army Dental Corps]] (RADC)


===Other Armed Forces Nursing Services===
===Other armed forces nursing services===
* [[Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service]]
* [[Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service]]
* [[Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service]]
* [[Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}


==Order of precedence==
==Order of precedence==
Line 152: Line 154:


{{The British Army}}
{{The British Army}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}


[[Category:British administrative corps]]
[[Category:British administrative corps]]

Latest revision as of 04:48, 6 August 2024

"QAs" redirects here. For other uses, see QA (disambiguation) and QAS (disambiguation).

Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps
Cap Badge of the QARANC
Active1949 – present
Land Vereinigtes Königreich
Branch British Army
RoleMedical support
Part ofArmy Medical Services
Garrison/HQStaff College, Camberley
Nickname(s)The QAs
Motto(s)Sub cruce candida
(Under the White Cross)
MarchQuick: Grey and Scarlet[1]
Commanders
Colonel-in-ChiefThe Duchess of Edinburgh
Chief Nursing Officer (Army)Colonel Paul Jackson
Insignia
Tactical Recognition Flash
War memorial in Kilkenny, Ireland, listing Matron Elizabeth Kelly Parker (QAIMNS) among First World War deaths; she died of illness contracted while serving in Egypt in 1916.[2]

Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC; known as the QAs) is the nursing branch of the British Army Medical Services.

History

[edit]

Although an "official" nursing service was not established until 1881, the corps traces its heritage to Florence Nightingale, who was instrumental in lobbying for the support of female military nurses.[3] The Army Nursing Service, which had been established in 1881, and which from 1889 provided Sisters for all Army hospitals with at least 100 beds,[4] had only a small number of nurses in its employ. In 1897, in an effort to have nurses available if needed for war, the service was supplemented by Princess Christian's Army Nursing Service Reserve (PCANSR). Nurses registered for the service and by the beginning of the First Boer War the reserve had around 100 members, but swelled its membership to over 1400 during the conflict. PCANSR eventually became the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service.[5] On 27 March 1902,[6] Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS) was established by Royal Warrant, and was named after Queen Alexandra, who became its president.[7] In 1949, the QAIMNS became a corps in the British Army and was renamed as the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps. Since 1950 the organisation has trained nurses, and in 1992 men were allowed to join.[4]

The associated Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps Association is a registered charity. Queen Alexandra was president from 1902 until her death in 1925. The following year she was succeeded by Queen Mary.[8]

Territorial Force Nursing Service

[edit]

The Territorial Force Nursing Service (TFNS) was originally formed to staff the territorial force hospitals at home, and the majority of its members spent their service during World War I in the United Kingdom, not only in the 25 territorial hospitals, but also in hundreds of auxiliary units throughout the British Isles. Within a short time they were also employed in the eighteen territorial hospitals abroad, and alongside their QAIMNS colleagues in military hospitals and casualty clearing stations in France and Belgium, Malta, Salonica, Gibraltar, Egypt, Mesopotamia and East Africa.[9][10]

Territorial Army Nursing Service

[edit]

The Territorial Army Nursing Service (TANS) was formed in 1920, when the Territorial Force was renamed the Territorial Army. It existed until 1949, when both regular and reserve nurses joined the QARANC. Territorial Army nurses served alongside QAIMNS nurses all over the world, and in all campaigns during World War II.[9]

Ranks

[edit]

The initial ranking system used by the QAIMNS was as follows.

QAIMNS rank Equivalent Army rank (from 1941)
Staff Nurse[11]
Sister Lieutenant
Senior Sister[12] Captain
Matron Major
Principal Matron Lieutenant-Colonel
Chief Principal Matron[13] Colonel
Matron-in-Chief Brigadier

Senior appointments

[edit]

The Colonel in Chief is The Duchess of Edinburgh GCVO GCStJ CD. The Corps has two Colonels Commandant, Colonel Andrea Lewis RRC, who was appointed in 2023, and Colonel Kevin Davies MBE RRC OStJ TD DL, who was appointed in 2017.[14]

In January 2016 a new post, Chief Nursing Officer (Army), replaced the role of Matron-in-Chief and the Director Army Nursing Services.[14]

List of Chief Nursing Officers (Army)

[edit]
  • Colonel Karen J Irvine (January 2016 – January 2018)[14]
  • Colonel Alison McCourt OBE ARRC QHN (February 2018 – 2019)[14]
  • Colonel Alison Farmer ARRC QHN (December 2019 – Nov 2022)[14]
  • Colonel Paul Jackson (Nov 2022 – Present)[15]

List of Matrons-in-Chief QAIMNS/QARANC

[edit]
A letter of recommendation signed by the Matron in Chief for a nurse in the QAIMNS Reserve who served from 1915 to 1919 "in Egypt and At Home" (1925)

List of Matrons-in-Chief TFNS/TANS

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Other army medical services

[edit]

Other armed forces nursing services

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Grey and Scarlet – The Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps Quick March" (PDF).
  2. ^ Morley, James. "Matron Elizabeth Kelly Parker Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. Died Monday 16 October 1916". A Street Near You.
  3. ^ "Army Medical Services". www.army.mod.uk.
  4. ^ a b Gordon, Peter; Doughan, David (2001). Dictionary of British Women's Organisations, 1825–1960. p. 120.
  5. ^ Piggott, Juliet (1990). Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps. Havertown, England: Pen and Sword. pp. 37, 53. ISBN 978-1-4738-1739-5.
  6. ^ Juliet Piggott, Famous Regiments: Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps (Leo Cooper Ltd, 1975) p. 38
  7. ^ "Naval & Military intelligence – Imperial Military Nursing Service". The Times. No. 36727. London. 28 March 1902. p. 8.
  8. ^ "Skirt worn by Sister A Stewart Wyatt, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service, 1902". National Army Museum. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  9. ^ a b "History of British Army Nursing". Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps Association. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  10. ^ "Territorial Force Nursing Service, City and County of London. Matron-in chief Report". The Nursing Record. Vol. 65, no. 1706. 11 December 1920. p. 326.
  11. ^ Phased out before 1944.
  12. ^ Introduced at some time between 1902 and 1919 as Assistant Matron.
  13. ^ Introduced in the 1920s.
  14. ^ a b c d e "Command & Control of Army Nurses". Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps Association. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
  15. ^ "Today we wish a fond farewell to Col... – QARANC Association". Retrieved 1 February 2023 – via Facebook.
  16. ^ a b c Such was the expansion of QAIMNS during the First World War that there were three Matrons-in-Chief simultaneously (Becher, McCarthy & Oram).
  17. ^ Newman, Vivien (2014). We Also Served: The Forgotten Women of the First World War. Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England: Pen and Sword. p. 111. ISBN 978-1-4738-4527-5.
  18. ^ "The Passing Bell" (PDF). The British Journal of Nursing. 66 (1713). London, England: Royal British Nurses Association: 66. 29 January 1921. Retrieved 3 September 2016.

Order of precedence

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Preceded by Order of Precedence Succeeded by
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