BLAST FROM THE

Nursing in Italy: a wounded German prisoner of war with a VAD

PAST

I was called up on the first day of the war

BETTY WADE, Sussex
Betty Wade, from Petworth in Sussex, has been involved with the British Red Cross for more than 83 years, making her the organisations longest-serving volunteer. She was awarded the first-ever 80-year service badge at the National Assembly in March and celebrated her 100th birthday on 6 April. Betty joined the British Red Cross as a voluntary aid detachment (VAD) member in 1929, in Ascot, when she was just 16 years old. I did first aid and nursing courses with the Red Cross. In those days, the Red Cross ran the local ambulance service, alongside St John Ambulance. It was before the NHS was formed. When war broke out in 1939, as a qualified VAD, Betty was posted to the Cambridge Military Hospital in Aldershot. I was called up on the first day of the war. I remember my feelings of pride and nervousness, and thinking it would only be for six months, she said. The hospital treated injured German and Italian prisoners of war as well as British casualties. One of my first patients was a German pilot who had been shot down. He said to me: If you treat me properly, Ill put in a good word with Hitler for you. Hell be here in six weeks. He was quite certain of that. We treated everybody the same German, Italian and British because we were the Red Cross. The Germans and Italians recognised the Red Cross emblem. In 1945, Betty was posted first to Rome, then to Austria, behind the advancing Allied troops. She continued nursing in military hospitals, treating less seriously injured casualties who could return to the front line. She said: I feel a bit guilty saying it, but I rather enjoyed my war. Ive heard other people say that, too. I think it was because there was such a wonderful sense of camaraderie among the people I was working with. I hope what I did was of some value. After the war, Betty went into secretarial work. But she carried on volunteering with the Red Cross, helping with training and first aid at events. She later became a medical equipment volunteer in Sussex. She said: I think the Red Cross is a great organisation. Ive enjoyed my time with them it was something I could do voluntarily. Ive got a great deal of respect for Red Cross workers around the world. editor@redcross.org.uk

Welfare in wartime Italy

The South Europe Commission of the British Red Cross was established in Italy after Allied troops entered the country. In August 1943, the first British Red Cross mobile unit from Tripoli arrived in Syracuse in Sicily. By September, the unit had moved in the wake of the Allied advance to Taranto on the Italian mainland. In January 1944, the South Europe Commission was formally established with the dual aims of providing civilian relief and promoting foreign relations. British Red Cross welfare officers were posted to army convalescent depots that were focused on relief work in the zone of the 8th Army including Sorrento, La Selva, Porto Recanati and Cervia. In July 1944, the British Red Cross assistant commissioner in Rome wrote: So many towns are almost completely destroyed, the populations are homeless and there is the refugee problem to deal with, besides the difficulties of lack of water, light and transport. There are now 147 Red Cross and St John personnel serving in Italy, this includes all the departments, welfare workers, stores, convalescent homes staff, civilian relief etc. Members of the voluntary aid detachment (VAD) were responsible for attending to the immediate comfort of casualties who were transferred to the depots by boat, air and rail. They also provided recreational outings, organised boot-making workshops, arranged entertainment and wrote letters for patients. As the Allied armies advanced, the area of the Commissions activities expanded until it took in all of Italy and extended into Austria and Greece. redcross.org.uk/museumandarchives

Photos on page 24: Museum and Archives/BRC, Matthew Percival/BRC. Page 25: Museum and Archives/BRC.

Awards Recognition for Welsh young carers

Two young people who use the Red Cross Ceredigion young carers service have won awards in recognition of their caring roles. Roselin Morgan (13) and Daniel Rhys Evans (11) were named Young Carers of the Year at the Ceredigion Youth Awards on 19 March. At the age of seven, and with his sister away at university, Daniel looked after his mother who had an operation for a condition that left her disabled and prone to severe epilepsy. Roselin was also the main carer for her mother. When her condition deteriorated, Roselin would feign illness so that she could stay home from school to look after her. The Red Cross supports young carers, like Roselin and Daniel, in their home and school life. The service helps them to cope with the distress a close relatives illness can cause. It offers leisure activities to give the young people a break from their caring roles and includes education for school staff and pupils about the issues they face.

Obituaries
Josie Hollis died on 18 February, aged 70. A volunteer for nearly 40 years, Josies passion and commitment were demonstrated in her many roles including event first aider, trainer, transport volunteer, group leader and fundraiser. She embodied the ethos of volunteering and supported many others with her wisdom and experience.

The Honourable Sarah Manners MBE died on 27 February, aged 79. Sarah joined the Red Cross in Berkshire in 1973 and later became organiser of Kingsclere centre in Hampshire. She ran an autumn bazaar for a number of years, raising thousands of pounds for the Red Cross. She received a Badge of Honour for Devoted Service in 1982.

Cora Murphy died on 1 December 2012, aged 69. Cora volunteered in Ayrshire and Arran, and was involved in event first aid, emergency support, retail and independent living. She was awarded the Voluntary Medical Services Medal posthumously in December 2012.

Sharon Richardson died in April, aged 41. Sharon was a popular first aid volunteer and trainer. She defused many tense situations with her calm manner, especially at Hull Rugby Union Football Club and Costello Sports Stadium. Sharon was awarded a certificate of commendation in 1999 and also received the Voluntary Medical Services Medal.

David Youdan died on 21 April, aged 77. He will be remembered, first as director of Hereford and Worcester in the 1980s, then as regional officer for the Western Region. After retirement, David kept his links with the organisation by taking part in fundraising activities and as a trustee of the Red Cross Pension Fund.

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