Helen Cattanach
(1920-1994), Brigadier; Director of Army Nursing ServicesSitter in 7 portraits
Cattanach joined the Civil Nursing Reserve during the Second World War after studying nursing at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen and served in Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service. In 1958 Cattanach was posted to the War Office and was awarded the Royal Red Cross in 1963. She was Matron at the British Military Hospital in Munster in 1968 and Cambridge Military Hospital from 1969, then Matron-in-Chief of Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps and Director of the British Army Nursing Services (1973-1977), the highest rank available to women in the British Army. For her achievements serving as a military and administrator nurse, Cattanach was made Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 1976 New Years Honours and Commander of the Venerable Order of Saint John in 1977.
by Bassano Ltd
colour transparency, 31 December 1976
NPG x173701
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