| Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps | |
|---|---|
Cap badge of the QARANC |
|
| Active | 1902 - present day |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Nickname | The QAs |
| Motto | Sub cruce candida (Under the White Cross) |
| March | Quick: Grey and Scarlet |
Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC; commonly known as the QAs) is the nursing branch of the British Army and part of the Army Medical Services.
In 1902, Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service (QAIMNS) was established by Royal Warrant, and was named after Queen Alexandra, who became its President. It replaced the Army Nursing Service, which had been established in 1881, and which from 1889 provided Sisters for all Army hospitals with at least 100 beds.[1] In 1949, the QAIMNS became a corps in the British Army and was renamed as the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps. Since 1950 the organisation has trained nurses, and in 1992 men were allowed to join.[1]
The associated Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps Association is a registered charity. Queen Alexandra was President until her death in 1925. The following year she was succeeded by Queen Mary.
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The Territorial Force Nursing Service (TFNS) was established in 1909 as a sister organisation to the QAIMNS. Its purpose was to supplement the regular service in emergencies and all its members worked as nurses in civilian life. It was renamed the Territorial Army Nursing Service (TANS) in 1920, when the Territorial Force was renamed the Territorial Army. It existed until 1949, when it became the Territorial Army branch of QARANC.
The initial ranking system used by the QAIMNS was as follows.
| QAIMNS rank | Equivalent Army rank (from 1941) |
| Staff Nurse[2] | |
| Sister | Lieutenant |
| Senior Sister[3] | Captain |
| Matron | Major |
| Principal Matron | Lieutenant-Colonel |
| Chief Principal Matron[4] | Colonel |
| Matron-in-Chief | Brigadier |
From 30 May 1941 QAIMNS personnel were granted emergency commissions and wore rank insignia corresponding to their equivalent Army rank.
The TFNS/TANS ranking system was identical.
On 1 February 1949 the women's forces were integrated into the armed forces. Initially, QARANC, along with the Women's Royal Army Corps, adopted the old Auxiliary Territorial Service ranking system, with the Matron-in-Chief holding the rank of Senior Controller, but in 1950 both corps switched to ordinary Army ranks. Professional titles were still used on the wards.
Other Ranks were introduced in 1956.
| Preceded by General Service Corps |
Order of Precedence | Succeeded by Corps of Army Music |