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
Tell us more back to top
Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.
If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.
Please note that we cannot provide valuations.
We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.
Play
Tudor and Elizabethan matching pairs
Test your memory by playing our matching pairs game. Three levels of difficulty make it fun for the whole family.
Regency familiar faces
Rearrange tiles to uncover sitters from the Gallery's Collection by playing our puzzle game.
Who do you think you were?
Answer a few lifestyle questions about the Elizabethan period and discover your inner Elizabethan!