Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service
Encyclopedia
Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service (PMRAFNS) is the nursing
branch of the British
Royal Air Force
.
It was established as the Royal Air Force Temporary Nursing Service (RAFNS) in 1918, and became part of the permanent establishment as the Royal Air Force Nursing Service on 27 January 1921. It received the Royal prefix
after Princess Mary
agreed to become its Patron
in June 1923.
It was a women-only branch until 1980, when men were also permitted to join. Until the Second World War, it was only open to unmarried women, or childless widows. There was also a Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service (Reserve) (PMRAFNS(R)) to supplement the regular service during times of war or emergencies.
Its current mission statement reads: "The Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service is committed to providing a nursing workforce that is determined to develop the skills, knowledge and ability to deliver high quality care whilst being responsive to the dynamic nature of RAF Nursing in peacetime and on operations."
From 1 June 1943, PMRAFNS personnel were granted emergency Commissions
, and wore rank
insignia
corresponding to their equivalent Royal Air Force officer
rank. On 1 February 1949, the women's forces were integrated into the Armed Forces, and a new ranking system was introduced, although professional titles were still used on the wards.
Other Ranks
were introduced in 1956, although unqualified Nursing Orderlies had previously served in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force
and Women's Royal Air Force
. They held standard RAF ranks. Officers used the separate ranking system until 1980, when they too adopted RAF ranks.
Nursing
Nursing is a healthcare profession focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life from conception to death....
branch of the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
.
It was established as the Royal Air Force Temporary Nursing Service (RAFNS) in 1918, and became part of the permanent establishment as the Royal Air Force Nursing Service on 27 January 1921. It received the Royal prefix
Royal Charter
A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...
after Princess Mary
Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood
The Princess Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood was a member of the British Royal Family; she was the third child and only daughter of King George V and Queen Mary. She was the sixth holder of the title of Princess Royal...
agreed to become its Patron
Patrón
Patrón is a luxury brand of tequila produced in Mexico and sold in hand-blown, individually numbered bottles.Made entirely from Blue Agave "piñas" , Patrón comes in five varieties: Silver, Añejo, Reposado, Gran Patrón Platinum and Gran Patrón Burdeos. Patrón also sells a tequila-coffee blend known...
in June 1923.
It was a women-only branch until 1980, when men were also permitted to join. Until the Second World War, it was only open to unmarried women, or childless widows. There was also a Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service (Reserve) (PMRAFNS(R)) to supplement the regular service during times of war or emergencies.
Its current mission statement reads: "The Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service is committed to providing a nursing workforce that is determined to develop the skills, knowledge and ability to deliver high quality care whilst being responsive to the dynamic nature of RAF Nursing in peacetime and on operations."
Ranks
The initial ranking system used by the PMRAFNS was as follows.| PMRAFNS rank | Equivalent RAF rank (from 1943) |
| Staff Nurse | |
| Sister | Flying Officer Flying Officer Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence... |
| Senior Sister | Flight Lieutenant Flight Lieutenant Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"... |
| Matron | Squadron Leader Squadron Leader Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these... |
| Principal Matron | Wing Commander Wing Commander (rank) Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries... |
| Chief Principal Matron | Group Captain Group Captain Group captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks above wing commander and immediately below air commodore... |
| Matron-in-Chief | Air Commodore Air Commodore Air commodore is an air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force... |
From 1 June 1943, PMRAFNS personnel were granted emergency Commissions
Letters patent
Letters patent are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch or president, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a person or corporation...
, and wore rank
Military rank
Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms...
insignia
RAF officer ranks
- Ranks :-Origins:Lieutenant-General David Henderson originally proposed that Royal Air Force officers use a combination of British Army and Royal Navy ranks...
corresponding to their equivalent Royal Air Force officer
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
rank. On 1 February 1949, the women's forces were integrated into the Armed Forces, and a new ranking system was introduced, although professional titles were still used on the wards.
| PMRAFNS rank | Equivalent RAF rank |
| Flying Officer | Flying Officer Flying Officer Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence... |
| Flight Officer | Flight Lieutenant Flight Lieutenant Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"... |
| Squadron Officer | Squadron Leader Squadron Leader Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these... |
| Wing Officer | Wing Commander Wing Commander (rank) Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries... |
| Group Officer | Group Captain Group Captain Group captain is a senior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks above wing commander and immediately below air commodore... |
| Air Commandant | Air Commodore Air Commodore Air commodore is an air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force... |
| Air Chief Commandant | Air Vice-Marshal Air Vice-Marshal Air vice-marshal is a two-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in... |
Other Ranks
Other Ranks
Other Ranks in the British Army, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force are those personnel who are not commissioned officers. In the Royal Navy, these personnel are called ratings...
were introduced in 1956, although unqualified Nursing Orderlies had previously served in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force
Women's Auxiliary Air Force
The Women's Auxiliary Air Force , whose members were invariably referred to as Waafs , was the female auxiliary of the Royal Air Force during World War II, established in 1939. At its peak strength, in 1943, WAAF numbers exceeded 180,000, with over 2,000 women enlisting per week.A Women's Royal Air...
and Women's Royal Air Force
Women's Royal Air Force
The Women's Royal Air Force was a women's branch of the Royal Air Force which existed in two separate incarnations.The first WRAF was an auxiliary organization of the Royal Air Force which was founded in 1918. The original intent of the WRAF was to provide female mechanics in order to free up men...
. They held standard RAF ranks. Officers used the separate ranking system until 1980, when they too adopted RAF ranks.
Matrons-in-Chief
- Joanna CruickshankJoanna CruickshankDame Joanna Margaret Cruickshank founded the in November 1918 and served as its first Matron-in-Chief. In November 1930 she retired as Matron-in Chief.-Biography:...
, 1918–1930 - Katherine Watt, 1930–1938
- Dame Emily Blair, 1938–1943
- Gladys TaylorGladys TaylorDame Gladys Taylor DBE, RRC was Matron-in-Chief, Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service .Trained at University College Hospital, London, Miss Taylor's name appeared in the King's Honours List as Dame Commander of the British Empire in 1948 upon her retirement from the Air Force Nursing...
, 1943–1948 - Air Commandant Dame Helen Cargill, 1948–1952
- Air Commandant Dame Roberta Whyte, 1952–1956
- Air Commandant Dame Alice Williamson, 1956–1959
- Air Commandant Dame Alice Lowrey, 1959–1963
- Air Commandant Dame Veronica Ashworth, 1963–1966
- Air Commandant Dame Pauline Giles, 1966–1970
- Air Commandant Ann McDonald, 1970–1972
- Air Commandant Barbara Ducat-Amos, 1972–1978
- Air Commodore Joan Metcalfe, 1978–1981
- Air Commodore Joy Harris, 1981–1984
- Air Commodore April Reed, 1984–1985
- Group Captain Mary Shaw, 1985–1988
- Group Captain Elizabeth Sandison, 1988–1991
- Group Captain Ethnea Hancock, 1991–1994
- Air Commodore V. M. Hand, 1994–1997
- Air Commodore Bob Williams, 1997–?
- Group Captain Annie Reid
- Group Captain Wendy Williams
- Group Captain Jackie Gross
See also
- Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing ServiceQueen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing ServiceQueen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service is the nursing branch of the British Royal Navy. The Service unit works alongside the Royal Navy Medical Branch....
- Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing CorpsQueen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing CorpsQueen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps is the nursing branch of the British Army and part of the Army Medical Services....
External links
- PMRAFNS.org official website (c) Crown Copyright
- Ministry of Defence Hospital Unit Peterborough MDHUP
- Defence Medical Services