Duchess honours brave nurses

Kyt · Oct 23, 2008

The Press Association: Duchess honours brave nurses

The Duchess of Cornwall was presenting an award to a courageous group of nurses who carried out dangerous missions in Europe during the Second World War.

They would accompany RAF planes which took out vital supplies of ammunition, food and fuel to the continent and returned packed with injured men needing medical care.

With just one nurse on each Dakota plane, the orderlies together brought back more than 100,000 casualties, many of whom owed them their lives.

Working out of RAF Down Ampney in Gloucestershire, on each flight a nurse could be caring for up to 20 men on stretchers, with even more wounded on board.

All the time they were in the air, the RAF aircraft were fair game for German fighter planes as they were technically engaged on war duties and so unable to display a Red Cross.

The seven remaining members of the original team - Lorna Carlyle, Joan Crane, Betty Digby, Mary Lack, Cecil H Nicklin, Elsie Vann and Lilian West - were receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award in the Military and Civilian Health Partnership Awards.

It is the first year of the awards, which recognise people and projects providing those serving in the forces and former military personnel with excellent healthcare.

The Duchess, who is Commodore-in-Chief of Naval Medical Services, will present the rest of the awards to individuals and initiatives nominated from the NHS, Defence Medical Services and the private and voluntary sectors.

Chris Moon MBE, a former army officer turned motivational speaker after he overcame horrific injuries from being blown up in a Mozambique minefield, was hosting the evening.

The Duchess was meeting the winners at a reception following the awards, hosted by the MoD at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, central London.
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Antipodean Andy · Oct 23, 2008

Recognition for another group of unsung servicewomen.

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Duchess honours brave nurses

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