QARANC

» Site Map

» Home Page

Historical Info

» Find Friends - Search Old Service and Genealogy Records

» History

» QAIMNS for India

» QAIMNS First World War

» Territorial Force Nursing Service TFNS

» WW1 Soldiers Medical Records

» Field Ambulance No.4

» The Battle of Arras 1917

» The German Advance

» Warlencourt Casualty Clearing Station World War One

» NO 32 CCS Brandhoek - The Battle of Passchendaele

» Chain of Evacuation of Wounded Soldiers

» Allied Advance - Hundred Days Offensive

» Life After War

» Auxiliary Hospitals

» War Graves Nurses




» Book of Remembrance

» Example of Mentioned in Despatches Letter

» Love Stories

» Autograph Book World War One

» World War 1 Letters

» Service Scrapbooks

» QA World War Two

» Africa Second World War

» War Diaries of Sisters

» D Day Normandy Landings

» Belsen Concentration Camp

» Italian Sailor POW Camps India World War Two

» VE Day

» Voluntary Aid Detachment

» National Service

» Korean War

» Gulf War

» Op Telic

» Op Gritrock

» Royal Red Cross Decoration

» Colonels In Chief

» Chief Nursing Officer Army

» Director Army Nursing Services (DANS)

» Colonel Commandant

» Matrons In Chief (QAIMNS)

Follow us on Twitter:
Follow qaranchistory on Twitter


» Grey and Scarlet Corps March

» Order of Precedence

» Motto

» QA Memorial National Arboretum

» NMA Heroes Square Paving Stone

» NMA Nursing Memorial

» Memorial Window

» Stained Glass Window

» Army Medical Services Monument

» Recruitment Posters

» QA Association

» Standard

» QA and AMS Prayer and Hymn

» Books

» Museums



Former Army Hospitals

UK

» Army Chest Unit

» Cowglen Glasgow

» CMH Aldershot

» Colchester

» Craiglockhart

» DKMH Catterick

» Duke of Connaught Unit Northern Ireland

» Endell Street

» First Eastern General Hospital Trinity College Cambridge

» Ghosts

» Hospital Ghosts

» Haslar

» King George Military Hospital Stamford Street London

» QA Centre

» QAMH Millbank

» QEMH Woolwich

» Medical Reception Station Brunei and MRS Kuching Borneo Malaysia

» Military Maternity Hospital Woolwich

» Musgrave Park Belfast

» Netley

» Royal Chelsea Hospital

» Royal Herbert

» Royal Brighton Pavilion Indian Hospital

» School of Physiotherapy

» Station Hospital Ranikhet

» Station Hospital Suez

» Tidworth

» Ghost Hunt at Tidworth Garrison Barracks

» Wheatley


France

» Ambulance Trains

» Hospital Barges

» Ambulance Flotilla

» Hospital Ships


Germany

» Berlin

» Hamburg

» Hannover

» Hostert

» Iserlohn

» Munster

» Rinteln

» Wuppertal


Cyprus

» TPMH RAF Akrotiri

» Dhekelia

» Nicosia


Egypt

» Alexandria


China

» Shanghai


Hong Kong

» Bowen Road

» Mount Kellett

» Wylie Road Kings Park


Malaya

» Kamunting

» Kinrara

» Kluang

» Penang

» Singapore

» Tanglin

» Terendak


Overseas Old British Military Hospitals

» Belize

» Falklands

» Gibraltar

» Kaduna

» Klagenfurt

» BMH Malta

» Nairobi

» Nepal


Middle East

» Benghazi

» Tripoli



Field Hospitals

» Camp Bastion Field Hospital and Medical Treatment Facility MTF Helmand Territory Southern Afghanistan

» TA Field Hospitals and Field Ambulances

Who Was Sapper Brown?


Review of the book Who Was Sapper Brown by Colonel David Vassallo L/RAMC which details all burials, graves and the cemeteries of those from the British Army in Cyprus whose profits go towards the upkeep of the cemeteries where our servicemen and women are buried in Cyprus

Who Was Sapper Brown Receiving a book to review by Colonel David Vassallo L/RAMC is always a treat. He is meticulous with his research and provides the reader with in-depth subject matter that keeps you riveting through each page. Another joy is the plentiful photographs that accompany the text. Readers will also appreciate Who Was Sapper Brown? Remembering British Military Burials in Cyprus.

Lance Corporal A O'Driscoll Grave

It will be especially significant for readers of this site because of the two members of the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps who are buried in Dhekelia Cemetery and features this moving photo of a parade at their graves on Corps Day 2012.

Dhekelia Cemetery QA Corps Day

Cpls Barnwell, Kelly and Taylor paying their respects.

It covers why the British Army and Royal Navy was in Cyprus as early as the year 1878 and why so many service personnel died in the early years. Diseases such as malaria and typhoid were rife and sadly many died due to the warm weather clothing causing heatstroke in high temperatures and dysentery due to living conditions. Though Britain was no longer at war with Russia there was a need to protect the Empire and routes through the Suez Canal to far flung places like India, especially with the recent Russo-Turkish conflicts.

Through painstaking research the author has located these early graves, burial details and even why several were reinterred. He has also located several graves of British soldiers not on UK databases or records. Many could so easily have been lost to time since the first British infantry unit on Cyprus, the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment, would, as was procedure then, bury their dead where they died with a simple wooden grave marker. Col Vassallo continues with detailed information about all the graveyards in Cyprus where our troops have been interred over the years. These include Wayne's Keep in the Buffer Zone in Nicosia, Troodos Military Cemetery, Polemidia British Cemetery in Limassol and Famagusta British Military and Civilian Cemetery.

troodos cemetery cyprus

Troodos Cemetery aerial photo © 84 Sqn RAF.

Each site has easy to follow descriptive directions to get there as well as street maps and handy hints to make visiting and paying respects trouble-free. There are photographs of each graveyard and individual headstones or memorials. The plans of each of the cemeteries further aid the reader on any intended trip. Other interesting illustrations include the National Archives list of persons buried and other records like historic pay lists and death records from Regimental Muster Books.

Notable graves include Sergeant Samuel McGaw who was the only Victoria Cross recipient to die on the island. Here the author has included details of Sgt McGaw's brave service record, why he won the VC and pictures of it engraved on his sarcophagus in the old British Cemetery in Kyrenia.

Other poignant graves are those of the Royal Army Medical Corps and its predecessor the Army Hospital Corps. As with each chapter the author described in detail the first burial and in the section it is Private Edward Capel of the recently formed RAMC who died of enteric fever at Camp Polymedia in Limassol in February 1899 whilst caring for soldiers.

Another RAMC grave is that of Colonel David Wright DSO OBE who was the Commanding Officer of BMH Dhekelia who had seen service in Italy, Japan, Persia and Iraq and his service career and why he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order are included in this section.

The new British Cyprus Memorial, dedicated to the 371 servicemen of the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Royal Marines and the British Army who lost their lives during active service during the 1955 to 1959 EOKA Campaign (Ethniki Organosis Kyprion Agoniston - Greek for National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters) and its recent unveiling on Remembrance Sunday 2009 is covered. This is at the easy to access Old British Cemetery in Kyrenia, though their remains are interred at the restricted area of Wayne's Keep in the United Nation's buffer zone.

It is fitting that in the year of publication of Who Was Sapper Brown? that the author informs us of the many First World War burials in this Centenary year. These were from the 1st Garrison Battalion Royal Scots who were guarding Turkish prisoners of war from the Gallipoli Campaign. There was also a convalescent summer camp at Troodos for British front line troops from Gallipoli. It is thought they died from the influenza epidemic of 1918. In contrast there is just one grave from World War Two at Troodos Cemetery, which was due to a motor accident. He died from his injuries two days later at 82 General Hospital, Platres. He is also the only RAF member to be interred at Troodos Military Cemetery. Most WW2 burials took place at the Nicosia War Cemetery which is now in the UN buffer zone.

The soldiers of Cyprus are not forgotten either and sections describe and depict the resting places of members of the Cyprus Regiment and Cyprus Volunteers. Though most lie in peace in family plots or at their respective villages Col Vassallo features the Cyprus (Nicosia) Memorial which commemorates Greek and Turkish Cypriots who died between 1940 and 1947. Ironically the inscription for local doctor Captain Vas Michael Skoufarides RAMC shows bullet holes from fighting in 1974. Other memorials for the Second World War Cypriots who gave their lives whilst serving their country are included.

Another bleak chapter in the history of the British Army in Cyprus was the Troodos forest fire on 17 June 1956 which saw 17 soldiers from the Royal Norfolk Regiment and the Gordon Highlanders die with two more deaths at the newly opened and temporarily RAF Akrotiri Hospital two days later. A moving photo of the Royal Norfolk Regiment presenting arms at their burial is pictured.

So who was Sapper Brown? This Royal Engineer grave from the forgotten Mathiatis Cemetery was the inspiration for Colonel Vassallo's touching book. He died in 1879 and was re-interned at Wayne's Keep in Nicosia, next to Mrs Catherine Cutliffe, wife of a Royal Artillery Sergeant, who was killed by an EOKA gunman whilst shopping for a wedding dress for her daughter in October 1958.

Mathiatis Cemetery Cyprus Soldier Grave

This poignant book provides a lasting tribute to our fallen and provides easy access to much information for those with an interest in military graves or the British military history on the beautiful island of Cyprus. Profits from the book sale go towards the maintenance of the cemeteries where British and Commonwealth sailors, soldiers and air force personnel, of all faiths and none, are buried or commemorated in Cyprus.

Limited-edition soft-back copies are available for £14 from the Army Medical Services Museum at shop@amsmuseum.co.uk or from the Royal Engineers Museum at curator@re-museum.co.uk and also by email directly from the author at djvassallo@aol.com

It is also available for 20 euros from The Hive, RAF Akrotiri, BFPO 57 or The Hives at Episkopi and Dhekelia.

Another book about the Island by Colonel D J Vassallo L/RAMC is A History of The Princess Mary's Hospital Royal Air Force Akrotiri 1963-2013


See also Cyprus Veterans.





Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.



PTSD assistance dog Lynne book


My PTSD assistance dog, Lynne, and I have written a book about how she helps me with my military Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety, and depression. I talk about my time in the QAs and the coping strategies I now use to be in my best health.

Along the way, I have had help from various military charities, such as Help for Heroes and The Not Forgotten Association and royalties from this book will go to them and other charities like Bravehound, who paired me with my four-legged best friend.

I talk openly about the death of my son by suicide and the help I got from psychotherapy and counselling and grief charities like The Compassionate Friends.

The author, Damien Lewis, said of Lynne:

"A powerful account of what one dog means to one man on his road to recovery. Both heart-warming and life-affirming. Bravo Chris and Lynne. Bravo Bravehound."

Download.

Buy the Paperback.


QARANC Poppy Pin Badge Royal British Legion RBL
This beautiful QARANC Poppy Pin Badge is available from the Royal British Legion Poppy Shop.




For those searching military records, for information on a former nurse of the QAIMNS, QARANC, Royal Red Cross, VAD and other nursing organisations or other military Corps and Regiments, please try Genes Reunited where you can search for ancestors from military records, census, birth, marriages and death certificates as well as over 673 million family trees. At GenesReunited it is free to build your family tree online and is one of the quickest and easiest ways to discover your family history and accessing army service records.

More Information.




Another genealogy website which gives you access to military records and allows you to build a family tree is Find My Past which has a free trial.








New post apocalyptic military survival thriller

Former Royal Air Force Regiment Gunner Jason Harper witnesses a foreign jet fly over his Aberdeenshire home. It is spilling a strange yellow smoke. Minutes later, his wife, Pippa, telephones him, shouting that she needs him. They then get cut off. He sets straight out, unprepared for the nightmare that unfolds during his journey. Everyone seems to want to kill him.

Along the way, he pairs up with fellow survivor Imogen. But she enjoys killing the living dead far too much. Will she kill Jason in her blood thirst? Or will she hinder his journey through this zombie filled dystopian landscape to find his pregnant wife?

The Fence is the first in this series of post-apocalyptic military survival thrillers from the torturous mind of former British army nurse, now horror and science fiction novel writer, C.G. Buswell.

Download Now.

Buy the Paperback.


If you would like to contribute to this page, suggest changes or inclusions to this website or would like to send me a photograph then please e-mail me.








Free Book Operation wrath

Free Book.
The death of the Brotherhood will be avenged.
RAF gunner Jason Harper and a team of Special Air Service operators are enraged after the death of their brothers by a terrorist drone strike. They fly into south-eastern Yemen on a Black-op mission to gather intelligence and avenge the death of their comrades.
Can they infiltrate the Al-Queda insurgents' camp, stay undetected, and call down their own drone missile strike and get home safely?
Will they all survive to fight another day?
Operation Wrath is a free, fast-paced adventure prequel to the non-stop action The Fence series by military veteran author C.G. Buswell.
Download for free on any device and read today.





This website is not affiliated or endorsed by The Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC) or the Ministry of Defence.


» Contact

» Advertise

» QARANC Poppy Pin

» Poppy Lottery

» The Grey Lady Ghost of the Cambridge Military Hospital Novel - a Book by CG Buswell

» The Drummer Boy Novel

» Regimental Cap Badges Paintings


Read our posts on:

» Facebook

» Instagram

» Twitter


Offers

» Army Discounts

» Claim Uniform Washing Tax Rebate For Laundry

» Help For Heroes Discount Code

» Commemorative Cover BFPS 70th anniversary QARANC Association





Present Day

» Become An Army Nurse

» Junior Ranks

» Officer Ranks

» Abbreviations

» Nicknames

» Service Numbers

Ministry of Defence Hospital Units

» MDHU Derriford

» MDHU Frimley Park

» MDHU Northallerton

» MDHU Peterborough

» MDHU Portsmouth

» RCDM Birmingham

» Army Reserve QARANC


Photos

» Florence Nightingale Plaque

» Photographs


Uniform

» Why QA's Wear Grey

» Beret

» Army Medical Services Tartan

» First Time Nurses Wore Trousers AV Anti Vermin Battledress

» TRF Tactical Recognition Flash Badge

» Greatcoat TFNS

» Lapel Pin Badge

» Army School of Psychiatric Nursing Silver Badge

» Cap Badge

» Corps Belt

» ID Bracelet

» Silver War Badge WWI

» Officer's Cloak

» QAIMNSR Tippet

» QAIMNS and Reserve Uniform World War One

» Officer Medal

» Hospital Blues Uniform WW1


Events

» Armed Forces Day

» The Nurses General Dame Maud McCarthy Exhibition Oxford House London

» Edinburgh Fringe Stage Play I'll Tell You This for Nothing - My Mother the War Hero

» Match For Heroes

» Recreated WWI Ward

» Reunions

» Corps Day

» Freedom of Rushmoor

» Re-enactment Groups

» Military Events

» Remembrance

» AMS Carol Service

» QARANC Association Pilgrimage to Singapore and Malaysia 2009

» Doctors and Nurses at War

» War and Medicine Exhibition

» International Conference on Disaster and Military Medicine DiMiMED

» QA Uniform Exhibition Nothe Fort Weymouth


Famous QA's

» Dame Margot Turner

» Dame Maud McCarthy

» Lt Col Maureen Gara

» Military Medal Awards To QAs

» Moment of Truth TV Documentary

» Sean Beech

» Staff Nurse Ella Kate Cooke


Nursing

Nursing Jobs Vacancies UK

International Nurses Day

International Midwife Day


Info

» Search

» Site Map

» Contact

» Other Websites

» Walter Mitty Military Imposters

» The Abandoned Soldier



We are seeking help with some answers to questions sent by readers. These can be found on the Army Nursing page.



» Find QA's

» Jokes

» Merchandise

» Mugs

» Personalised Poster

» Poppy Badges

» Stamp

» Teddy Bears

» Pin Badges

» Wall Plaques

» Fridge Magnet


SHARE
© Site contents copyright QARANC.co.uk 2006 - 2024 All rights reserved.
Privacy/Disclaimer Policy