Margaret Collins (nurse)

Margaret Elizabeth Collins, CBE, RRC (13 February 1927 – 26 January 2023) was a British nurse and Royal Navy officer. Having served in the UK, Hong Kong, Malta and Gibraltar, she rose to become matron-in-chief of the Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service (1980 to 1983), her period of command coinciding with the Falklands War.[1][2][3]

Margaret Collins
Born(1927-02-13)13 February 1927
Died26 January 2023(2023-01-26) (aged 95)
Henfield, West Sussex
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchRoyal Navy
Years of service1953–1983
RankMatron-in-Chief
Commands heldQueen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service (1980–83)
AwardsCommander of the Order of the British Empire
Royal Red Cross

Biography edit

Collins was educated at St Anne's Convent School, then an all-girls Catholic school in Southampton. She trained as a nurse at Royal Victoria Hospital, Bournemouth, qualifying as a state registered nurse (SRN) in 1949.[1]

In the 1978 Queen's Birthday Honours, Collins was appointed Member of the Royal Red Cross (RRC).[4] In the 1983 New Year Honours, she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).[5]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Collins, Margaret Elizabeth, (13 Feb. 1927–26 Jan. 2023), Matron-in-Chief, Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service, 1980–83". Who Was Who. Oxford University Press. 1 December 2007. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  2. ^ "The Telegraph Announcements: COLLINS". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  3. ^ "MIC MISS MARGARET E COLLINS QARNNS". Qarnns Association. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  4. ^ "No. 47549". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 June 1978. p. 6257.
  5. ^ "No. 49212". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 1982. p. 5.