THE October Meeting of Crediton Probus Club was held at Downes Crediton Golf Club.

There were several members missing because of late holidays and some were attending the Memorial Service for Douglas Penny, who was a Probus member some years ago.

There were no reports of members being unwell.

The Club is always pleased to have lady speakers and this was one of those meetings, as we welcomed Nicci Pugh.

Nicci had served as a Senior Nursing Officer (Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service) on board Her Majesty’s Hospital Ship, Uganda, during the Falklands War in 1982.

She gave a fascinating account of the hasty conversion of the ship, from a P and O educational cruise ship to a floating hospital, and the vital work carried out by the military medics on board the ship in the South Atlantic throughout the conflict.

Nicci is now an ambassador for the tri-service veterans association, The South Atlantic Medal Association (SAMA), and was able to give us much information on how the severely injured service personnel retain their camaraderie over the years following their injuries.

Several members took the opportunity to buy signed copies of Nicci’s book White Ship-Red Crosses, which details the work of the Uganda and her crew during the War.

Profits from the sale of the book are donated by Nicci to SAMA.

This was a lively and informative presentation and it was appropriate that Member Captain (P and O) David Dornom gave the vote of thanks to Nicci, which was enthusiastically endorsed by all.

Members will be surrounded by ladies at the November meeting as it is the Club’s Annual Ladies’ Luncheon.

The Speaker will the Rt Rev Dame Sarah Mullally, Bishop of Crediton, who also has a top-ranking nursing background.

BT