The Countess of Wessex visited the Defence Medical Welfare Service Headquarters in Andover

Today, The Countess of Wessex visited the Defence Medical Welfare Service Headquarters in Andover, Hampshire. The St John and Red Cross Defence Medical Welfare Service, commonly the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS), is a charitable organisation contracted by the UK Ministry of Defence.

© Ben Stevens courtesy of The DMWS

Her Royal Highness arrived in the afternon, around 3pm and was greeted by Mr. Nigel Atkinson, The Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire; Mr. Tom Floyd, The High Sheriff of Hampshire and Cllr Karen Hamilton, The Mayor of Test Valley.

© Ben Stevens courtesy of The DMWS

During the visit, HRH has met members of DMWS staff and some of their service users, that shared their stories with HRH. Sophie also heard about DMWS rich history in medical welfare and talked to The DMWS Welfare Officer to understand more about the role of the charity.

© Ben Stevens courtesy of The DMWS - HRH was introduced to DMWS Patron and Iraq veteran Simon Brown

The Countess was introduced to DMWS Patron and Iraq veteran Simon Brown - who was a corporal in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers attached to 2 Lancs in Iraq when he sustained facial injuries during a rescue mission in Basra. Simon lost his left eye and has only 20 per cent vision in his right. You will find Simon's story by clicking here.

© Ben Stevens courtesy of The DMWS

HRH has also met eight other DMWS service users who talked to her about their own experiences and how DMWS had helped them during difficult and stressful medical treatment. Her Royal Highness enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea with the group and was visibly touched by their moving stories.

© Ben Stevens courtesy of The DMWS - Trevor Edwards, DMWS Director of Operations explains HRH the DMWS operational timeline.

Sophie was presented with a Posy and Jelly Beans for Lady Louise and Viscount Severn as well as a DMWS water bottle to keep her hydrated during her Palace to Palace cycle ride. The Countess signed the DMWS visitors book at the end of her visit.

courtesy of BfbsSturgess - Presenter/Producer at British Forces Broadcasting Services (BFBS)

The DMWS was originally formalised in 1943 as the Service Hospitals Welfare Department under the auspices of the Joint Committee of the Venerable Order of St John and the British Red Cross, it became an independent organisation in 2001. DMWS has been providing medical welfare support to the Armed Forces since 1943, across the UK Germany and Cyprus and on deployment in all major conflicts since World War 2. The Countess of Wessex is a Grand President of St John Ambulance in the Priory of England and the Islands.

© Ben Stevens courtesy of The DMWS

DMWS provides emotional and practical support to the armed forces community (regulars, reservists, ex-forces and families) when they are in hospital, hospice, rehabilitation, recovery or receiving ongoing treatment in a community based health facility. The charity is based in the South of England, from where they co-ordinate their staff across the world.

© Ben Stevens courtesy of The DMWS - HRH received The DMWS waterbottle for her Palace 2 Palace ride

Forces TV coverage of the visit can be found here, it is a lovely video of the day, also for full gallery of the event, click here. Full story of The Coutess' visit is here.

Outfit & jewellery:
Black blazer seen on many occasions, no ID.
Oscar de la Renta Blue Short Skirt With Micro Flower.
New, Gold Starfish Stud Earrings by Heavenly Necklaces. But I would need to see more pics to be sure.
J&L diamond letter charm necklace by Felt London, names of HRH's children James & Louise, with chain in hayseed style also by Felt London. Recently HRH added 'E' charm - name of her husband, Prince Edward.
St John Ambulance's day badge.
Clutch by Sophie Habsburg Design called Moneypenny in black.
LK Bennett Harley in black suede.

The Countess of Wessex visited the Defence Medical Welfare Service Headquarters in Andover 2016-05-25T10:23:00-07:00 Rating: 4.5 Diposkan Oleh: sho fia