QARNNS Archive owes its existence to retired Matron-in-Chief Miss Pat Gould CBE RRC. Always interested in history, during the latter years of her service she became aware that QARNNS members had little knowledge of the historical background of the Service and the work of their predecessors.

 

In 1980, on her retirement, Miss Gould started collecting various items of memorabilia. Most was contributed by other retired members of QARNNS, particularly those who had served in WW2, but some also came from members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) who worked alongside QARNNS Regular and Reserve Sisters during both World Wars.

 

Miss Gould and a small group of volunteers continued to expand the archive. Over the years, further contributions from retired and serving members have enhanced it and the volunteers have also acquired some items at auction.

 

Included in the collection are documents, photographs, medals, uniform and artifacts related to the work of QARNNS in Royal Naval Hospitals and other establishments at home and abroad in peacetime; and of service ashore and afloat during times of war and humanitarian crisis.

 

Today the archive is housed in the Institute of Naval Medicine in Gosport and is currently run by six volunteers. Close ties have been developed with the National Museum of the Royal Navy (Portsmouth) and the Haslar Heritage Group. Archival material is used as a resource for authors and researchers including those seeking information for family trees.

 

The Volunteers are currently focusing on digitising much of the collection and preparing for a possible future move to a Heritage Centre in Royal Haslar.

 

The future of the archive is dependent on both material and monetary donations. If you have any photographs or memorabilia, no matter how small, that you would like to share with or donate to the archive we would be most grateful. The history of QARNNS is important please help us preserve it for the future.

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To contact QARNNS Archive, email us at qarnnsarchive2@gmail.com

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