War Diary – 140 Field Ambulance, 1916

May 5 7.15am

Entrained 1^st trainload in 20 minutes.

8.15am

Entrained 2^nd trainload in about same time.

11am

All embarked on board SS HT “Inventor”.

7.30pm

Sailed.

May 6 4.30am

Arrived.

12.45pm

Started disembarkation.

5.30pm

Finished disembarkation.

7.45pm

Arrived at Rest Camp. Raining.

Only casualties en route – one mule lame – one with catarrh exchanged.

May 7 5pm

Entrained with whole unit & about 250 infantry details – 50 carriages or trucks.

7.30pm

Entrainment complete – Left HAVRE.

May 8 2.30pm

Detrained - in 40 mins with station clear

5.30pm

Arrived Chateau EBBLINGEM

May 9 09.45am

Left Ebblinghem

3.15pm

Arrived billets BORRE (5 ½ hours)

May 10

Improved billets – busy with sanitation

May 11 11.00am

Practical demonstration to unit in 'gas attack' chlorine and xylyl bromide.

May 12

Self and5 other officers went up to 28^th Fd Ambulance at PONT de NIEPPE for instruction into line. Weather fine

May 15 morn

Very wet

SOL?

Returned from PONT de NIEPPE. fine

May 16 7.15am

Moved into STRAZEELE ( 6am). Sent 2 officers and 30 NCOs and men to 28^th Fd Ambulance for instruction. Fine and warm.

May 17

Fine and warm. Improving sanitation.

May 18 1am

Had to stand to on account of reported gas attack

May 19 12 noon

2 officers and 28 NCOs and Men returned from 28^th Fd Ambulance. Owing to orders to be prepared to move in 1 ½ hrs at full strength. Fine and warm

May 22 10am

DDMs 2^nd Corp inspected unit. Fine

May 25

Showery

May 27 8.15am

2 Officers and 58 other ranks proceeded to Pont de Nieppe as a advance party on taking over the line

8.30am

30 men proceeded to NIEPPE for duty in stone quarries. Fine and warm. The week has been employed in drills and practical demonstrations in hygiene etc. 12 NCOs and men only needed for dressing station work here.

Additional equipment has been drawn since arrival – chiefly stretchers – hand wheeled stretchers, steel helmets, gas box helmets, extra dressings, oxygen cylinders, anti tetanus syringes, serum (?) and drugs not in tablet form – all water has been chlorinated -detached parties have tablets of acid sulphate of soda for the purpose of water purification in water bottles.

During the past 10 days the establishment has been reduced by 1 Sergt. 1 Driver, 1HD horse/mule, I Rider ASC (HT),and 1 motor bicycle and 1 Driver ASC (MT)

May 28

Fine

May 29

Proceeded to LA CRECHE for 3 days prior to taking from the 28^th Fd Ambulance.

June 1st 2pm

Moved to LA CRECHE and took over the dressing station there and the ADS Brewery PLOEGSTEERT – LE BIZET Road from 28^th Field Ambulance 4pm

36 wounded through the Dressing station in the evening mostly from Rest billets

June 4

GOC. 41^st Div., inspected Dressing station – inspection ADS in afternoon. Fine windy

June 5

DDMS II Corps inspection main dressing station. Fine windy.

June 6

Rain. Lt. A.P. Hart attached to 21 KRR for temporary duty

June 7

Fine

June 8

Inspected Motor Car Corner for a place for ? dump? for wounded from No 6. RAP.

June 10 10am – 1pm

ADS shelled 18” whizbangs. No casualties – some slight damage to equipment. About 100 – 150 pounds with 15 direct hits. Rain

June 11

Inspected ADS

June 12

Rain very cold

June 15

Still very cold and wet – Lt. A.P. Hart attached to KRR permanent duty.

June 16

Visited ADS

June 17 12.50am

Gas Alarm

June 17 02.50am

Resumed normal condition. - No gas in Dressing station or ADS. 2 cases 'gassing' admitted to Dressing station. 1 Drift . 1 Shell.

June 18 11.45pm

Gas alarm

June 19 01.45am

Resumed normal condition. No admission for gas. No gas in Dressing station area

June 21

Weather fine. Cold since 16^th wind variable southerly since 16^th Visited ADS and No 4 RAP

June 22 10.50am

Pont de Nieppe bridge shelled for about 40 minutes about a dozen 18”. No casualties among the soldiers 3 or 4 slight cases among women civilians. Warm and fine

June 23

Very hot thunderstorm 5pm with heavy rain. Shelled west end of Pont de Nieppe about 9pm.

Captain Hogg ?joined vice Lt Hart

June 24

DDMS V Corps and ADMS 41 to ? inspected

June 27

Rain. ADMS informed me that we should probably have to move our headquarters shortly aas we are in another division area. Inspected school 96 RUE D'ARMENTIERES Nieppe for a site. This is at present occupied by Intelligence Corps II Army.

June 28

Rain

June 29

Fine quiet

June 30

A very busy day 71 wounded admitted up 'til 8am July 1^st from noon 30th June.

July 2 2.30pm

Visited working parties in PLOEGSTEERT . Fine weather

July 5 3pm

Visited ADS and Lawrence Farm after extension of the line this morning. Central battalion now has two aid posts Lawrence Farm and Reserve Farm. The former has personnel from the advanced dressing station 1 NCO and 2 men.

July 9 11am

GOC 41^st Div inspected main and advanced dressing stations – all satisfactory. The battery across the road at DELENNELLE farm across the road was being shelled all morning 8.15 – 1.( ? 4.2 & 5.9). The sergent major of their battery was hit and Lt. J. L. Davies went to give surgical assistance whilst the battery was being shelled. Weather fine after two wet days.

July 10

Fine. Raid by 21 KRR 124 1.B at night. All casualties easily dealt with

July 13

Fine and cold last few days. Rain at night

July 15 aft

NIEPPE shelled 2 officers admitted to main dressing station wounded from there. Lieut. Harrison left for temporary duty with 19^th Middlesex during absence of MO sick.

July 16

Lieut Dimond went to 32^nd Royal Fusilliers in medical charge vice Lieut Jones transferred to field ambulance.

July 17

NIEPPE shelled. 1 man admitted wounded from there

July 18

NIEPPE shelled . 1 officer and 2 men admitted wounded from there

July 19 2pm

PONT de NIEPPE bridge shelled. 15 civilians and 7 military admitted from there to main dressing station. 6 pieces of shell in the main dressing station no casualties there.

July 20

To St Omer with Quartermaster to draw Red X stores

21st July

ADMS inspected Main Dressing station

July 24

Pte Moore stretcher bearer hit in shoulder and evacuated (first casualty in unit)

July 25

To Motor Car Corner and RAP Surrey Farm 23^rd Middlesex. Barrage of fire on road to Motor Car Corner. Held up car for about ½ hour and then dodged through. Weather dull but fine the past two days.

July 26 11pm

Artillery bombardment of Surrey's front line

July 27 1am

Raid by 10^th (Queen's), R. West Surrey and 20^th Durham Light Infantry

2am

First casualties from 20^th DLI

7am

100 casualties of (20^th DLI and 10^th Queens chiefly) also a few of other units had been evacuated to CCS BAILLEUL.

Medical arrangements were as follows -

Evacuation from RAPs - 10^th Queens – 8 stretcher bearers with 4 stretchers and blankets at aid post – supplied by the field ambulance for evacuation to Advanced Dressing Station.

- 20^th DLI – 8 stretcher bearers similarly at aid post for evacuation to Motor Car Corner – terminus trolley line – where 1 corpl and 1 man were posted for loading ambulance cars – In each case evacuation was by trolley line.

From Advanced Dressing Station and Motor Car Corner to main dressing station by motor ambulances. Two cars were employed for each spot and kept up a continuous to and fro service.

Arrangements at Main Dressing Station

For Unloading Field Ambulance Cars - Carriage to Receiving room and loading CCS cars 1 NCO and 8 men were employed. A supply of stretchers and blankets was kept at the Entrance for replenishing Field Ambulance cars under the above NCO – this NCO was also responsible for obtaining nominal rolls from the office of men for CCS cases and seeing the cases were loaded according to this roll – the roll going to the CCS with the cases. Cases were deposited by the unloading party in2 groups ( (I) serious (II) slight ) in the square of the dressing station.

Receiving and Dressing of Cases:- Two Officers Capt. Rowbottom and Lieutenant Harrison each had charge of a receiving and dressing room. They had for staff each 1 NCO for the dispenser and anti-tetanus serum 1 clerk and 4 Dressers. The former took the serious cases and the latter the sitting cases.

Dressed Cases were collected into 2 areas 1. lying 2. sitting. These were fed by the help of the chaplains and 1 orderly to carry tea and oxo etc., the food was prepared by two cooks. A senior NCO was in charge of the patients and was responsible for counting the blankets on the stretchers and for making them up into car loads giving the serial number of each case to the office according to the car loads. This NCO was also responsible for checking the stretchers and blankets taken from the CCS cars in exchange – those going out being in excess of those received.

Clerking. One clerk at entrance gave each case on arrival a blank medical card with serial number for A and D book attached and kept record of the numbers in a book. Officers were given different serial numbers to the men -

The Clerks in the receiving rooms filled in slips with all particulars including serial number for A and D book for each case, the medical cards were also filled in by these clerks, the cases were then known by their serial number for purposes of evacuation. Two clerks in the office prepared nominal roll (with full particulars) of car load from the serial numbers given by the senior NCO and filled in the A and D book.

Pack Store. 1 NCO and 1 Man were employed in Pack Store received all Iron helmets and arms and ammunition and register them – no men had packs.

With two officers, One NCO i/c, 2 NCOs (dispensers), 8 dressers, 5 clerks 3 cooks and feeding pastors. 1 NCO and 8 men loading and unloading 100 patients were dressed in the Field Ambulance and evacuated to CCS within 5 hours and there were several slack intervals of as much as ½ hour when no cases were brought in for dressing and the personnel had their breakfast. All ranks and ADS and MDS worked exceedingly well and the MO 10^th Queens wrote especially to thank Cpl. Williams for his assistance at his aid post. 113 cases passed through the last few cases coming in at long intervals – in one case 24 hours after. Weather hot and fine damp mist in early morn.

July 28 Abt 5pm

NIEPPE shelled with heavy artillery 5.9 and 8 or 9 inch. 3 killed and 14 wounded military. Serious damage to the church. Gas alarm 1 am 29^th – No gas.

July 31

Weather has been dry and hot for past ten days as a general rule. Today very hot.

The total number of admissions to dressing station for June and July. Appendix attached.

5.45pm

NIEPPE shelled for one hour. 1 casualty a two year old child.

Aug. 5

Very quiet past 5 days weather fine.

3pm

Pont de Nieppe shelled -shrapnel about 8 bursts above church. No casualties

Aug. 6 4.30pm -12pm

NIEPPE shelled – 3 casualties. Fine.

Aug. 7 9.35am

PONT de NIEPPE shelled 2 rounds shrapnel, 3 high explosive near X roads W of church. 3 Casualties (1 soldier, 1 civilian, 1 child).

3.30pm

NIEPPE shelled. Weather fine.

Aug. 9 11.10am

Message from left Reserve 123 1 Bde for ambulance cars.

11.20

2 cars left for LE BIZET (left reserve 1 Bde) with Lieut. DAVIES – shelling at road junction PONT de NIEPPE

12.40pm

LE BIZET – PLOEGSTEERT. 20 wounded 11^th Queens all evacuated (dressed) to CCS.

12.45pm

1 shell high explosive into PONT DE NIEPPE X roads. No casualty.

12.50pm

NIEPPE shelled 1 casualty. Fine and hot past few days.

Aug. 13

Weather fine and hot since last entry very quiet

8.30pm

Received orders for field ambulance to be ready to move out of PONT de Nieppe to rest area. V corps.

Aug. 14

Hot showery. ADMS 23 Div with ADMS 41 Div inspected Dressing station and Advanced dressing station.

Aug. 15

Rain showery cooler.

Aug 16 3.30pm

Advanced party 69 Field Ambulance arrived.

Aug 17

OC 69 Field Ambulance came to inspect Dressing station and advanced dressing station. Showed him around. Packed wagons.

7pm

Handed over.

Aug 18 6.15am

Parade to move out.

6.30am

Marched out

09.35am

Arrived. Fine.

Aug. 19

Rain. Route march.

Aug 21

Training in morning. Field Ambulance sports in afternoon.

Aug 22

Route march. Packed wagons. Fine.

11pm

Marched out to entrain at BAILLEUL West station.

Aug 23 12.15am

Started entrainment with 299 Coy ASC side loading

2am

Entrainment completed for 140 Field ambulance and 299 Coy ASC

2.10am

A mule hung in its chain in the truck died

2.50am

Mules unloaded in this truck and re-loaded

3.28am

Train left punctually to time

12.25pm

Train arrived 1 hr 20 minutes late

2.15pm

Train unloaded and all troops and vehicles clear of station after a difficult side unloading with ramps to the ground.

3pm

Arrived in billets and started cleaning up

Aug 24 6.30am - 6.30pm

Training of unit in Field ambulance exercises

3.30pm

Visited 124 Bde. Fine showery.

Aug 25

Training as yesterday. 2 sections did exercises with one section as patients.

11am

Visited divisional headquarters. Showery in the evening after fine day

Aug 26 6.30 -7.30am

Squad drill and physical exercises and bathing.

9am – 5pm

Field Day

8.30pm – 10.30pm

Route - orderlies detached en route to carry messages to a defined point. Rain.

Aug 29 5am

A combined Divisional exercise carried out for 3 field ambulances. Marched out of billets to starting point for exercise 7 miles away – had breakfast en route and arrived 1 mile beyond AILLY at 9am where tent division less B section pitched a dressing station. Bearer division collected wounded with 2 other ambulances all pioneer battalion as wounded. DDMS X Corps and ADMS 41 Div inspected the exercise.

4pm

Exercise finished.

7.30pm

Arrived back at billets. A heavy thunderstorm from 2.30 – 6 pm

Rain daily since 24^th inst until today which has been fine.

Training the Field Ambulance has been carried out as programme attached (marked appendix 3)

Chart of sick and wounded for the month of August attached (4)

Sept 1 9 – 5 8.30 – 10am

Training as per schedule – 2 cases of suspected cerebrospinal meningitis in 183 Bde RFA

33 contacts segregated in tents at EAUCOURT. Battery in which cases occurred left for the line tonight. Fine

Sept 2

Training as per schedule – afternoon taken up with servingout personal equipment and checking ordinance and medical equipment. Fine.

Sept 3

Bathing parade at 5.30pm

10.30am

Reconnaissance of ground for divisional medical exercise ERGNIES - BRUCAMPS district.

2pm

Horse show. Rain in the afternoon. 140 Field Ambulance 1^st and 2^nd in jumping. WO NCO and men.

8.30pm

Bearer division moved out to bivouac ready for divisional exercise – bivouacked 1 mile E of AILLY Le HAUTCLOCHER

Sept 4 7am

Tent division less “B” section moved out for divisional medical exercise

11am

Ordered to return home owing to orders to move

2pm

Tent division arrived at billetts

3.30pm

Bearer division arrived at billetts.

Cerebrospinal suspected cases found negative – contacts returned to duty by Motor omnibuses to RA headquarters at DERNANCOURT. Dressing station MONFLIERS closed at 6pm

Sept 5 11.10am

Orders received for transport to move.

1.30pm

Transport less 3 motor ambulances under command of Capt. Hogg left to proceed by ROUTE MARCHE with Brigade group transport for XV Corps area. Fine showery

Sept 6 3.30am

Lieut LACEY proceeded to LONGPRE station to report to 122 Brigade Headquarters for billeting officer for this 140^th Field Ambulance.

Sept 7 3.30am

Reveille

5am

Parade to march out.

7.18am

Arrived railway station

8.50am

Motor ambulances left for MERICOURT station by road

9am

Entrained

11.30am

Motor ambulances arrived MERICOURT station

3.30pm

Arrived station. Personnel

6.45pm

Personnel arrived

8.20pm

Transport arrived. Fine cold windy.

Sept 8

In camp. “C” section tent subdivision under command of Captain DAVIDSON left for Corps main Dressing station BECORDEL. Capt. NASH left for temporary duty with XIX Middlesex

Sept 9 3.30pm

Moved to Camp BECORDEL 2 miles in 1hr and 50 mins

5.20pm

Arrived in camp

6pm

Camp pitched – teas. Fine.

Sept 10 12 noon

Packed up and packed wagons for move.

3pm

Left for BELLE VUE Farm E of ALBERT

3.20pm

Arrived

6pm

Horsed Ambulance Wagons left for Divisional Collecting station for Walking Wounded. Also motor ambulance cars less 2. Fine.

Sept 11 2pm

Lieut DAVIS left for duty with heavy artillery Group as MO.

9am

Bearer division under command of Captain HOGG left for Divisional Collecting station for walking wounded, for bearer work with the two other field ambulances of the division.

2pm

Took over Divisional Dressing station at BELLE VUE Farm from1/3 W Lanc.s Field Ambulance.

10pm

Captain ROWBOTTOM left for duty at Divisional Collecting station thus leaving me the sole officer at the headquarters of the field ambulance with (I) two tent subdivisions personnel (2) Horse transport less ambulance wagons and (3) 2 Motor ambulance wagons

Sept 12

Busy day alone at Divisional Main Dressing station. 45 sick in day 7 evacuated, 6 to Corps rest station, 1 to Casualty Clearing station. B divisions sick were seen, 11 cases of diarrhoea and intestinal complaints. Fine weather. Improvements to camp as per schedule.

Sept 13

Usual day in morning seeing sick and round the tents 40 remaining.

2pm

To Advanced dressing station Quarry N of MONTAUBAN and to see the 'Green Dump', North of this and West of LONGUEVAL. Had two interviews with ADMS on pending operations 5pm and 9pm

Sept 14 12 noon

Captain ROWBOTTOM returned for duty to headquarters. Handed over patients in the dressing station to Captain ROWBOTTOM

9.30am

Received operation order No 2 ADMS saying to be in position at GREEN DUMP at 11pm. Personnel and equipment to be there under Major WILLIAMSON OC 138^th Fiels ambulance arrangements.

5.30pm

Left to take up position at GREEN DUMP

8.30pm

Arrived at GREEN DUMP having called at 138 Headquarters on MAMETZ – MONTAUBAN road en route and found the bearer division of 140 field ambulance were still there so sent them to GREEN DUMP straight away and went personally to arrange to survey the ground.

Sept 15 5am

At the GREEN DUMP I found Captain HOGG had fitted out the Dugout which has only just finished with the dressings and material which I had sent up previously from BELLEVUE Farm. There was a shortage of slings and pillows for stretchers and stretchers generally. These were asked for from the ADS at the Quarry.

5.50am

It was found that 138 Field Ambulance bearers who were at the Regimental Aid post were not as numerous as expected, the relief of these bearers had gone through the night as they returned and only one relief of 5, 140 Field ambulance bearers in lieu of 2 138 Field ambulance bearers had taken place at 18^th KRR Aid post and was told no more bearers were there. So ordered 15 bearers with a sergeant to proceed forthwith with one of the 138^th Field Ambulance bearers as a guide.

There were now 20 bearers of the 140^th Field Ambulance with an NCO with each party at each regimental post in the line.

6.30am

Captain HOGG with 40 bearers 20 for each aid post with an NCO for each party left to reinforce the aid posts.

Zero hour had not been communicated to me in writing but was informed that it was to be 06.30am (i.e. Hour at which operations were to commence.)

This left 38 men at the GREEN DUMP for dressing cases and for reinforcements for the teams 138^th Field ambulance bearer subdivision being very weak and consisting of 1 NCO and 18 men only. Wounded had been brought in in a steady stream during the night and had been easily coped with.

8.30am

Wounded were now coming in large numbers chiefly from the New Zealand division and on assistance being demanded from MO 1^st Bn 3^rd New Zealand R.B. (09.30am) I sent 8 men with 4 stretchers and informed the MO to obtain assistance through his own ADMS as I was unable to cope with his division in addition to the 41^st Div left sector (122 Inf Bde) for whom I was responsible.

11.am

Wounded were now beginning to accumulate at the GREEN DUMP. I personally in addition to all available personnel at the DUMP was busily employed in dressing cases and made several appeals for cars to be sent forward to remove wounded. I then obtained assistance of every vehicle which came to the DUMP and also of German prisoners which were now beginning to come in as bearers to evacuate wounded to the ADS at the Quarry. As so many of these cases had come to the DUMP without being dressed a large amount of work had to be done to dress these cases and prepare them for transport.

12 noon

Evacuation was going on with some difficulty from the line but satisfactorily and the DUMP area was now getting well cleared and after this we had no block there.

5.30pm

Captain HOGG returned and reported that numerous cases had been dressed and were ready for evacuation. The stretcher bearers were becoming exhausted.

7.30pm

These were rested and at 7.30pm they were sent out under the command of Captain W.L.A. HARRISON who had reported from the ADS. The GREEN DUMP had now been successfully cleared and all cases were being dressed and despatched to the Field Ambulance cars, stretcher wheels, German prisoners and vehicles which were returning empty of all descriptions.

Sept 16 7am

Evacuation from the line and clearing of the GREEN DUMP went on successfully during the night. No record had been able to be kept of the wounded passing through the DUMP but it is estimated that fully 2000 wounded passed through in the 24 hours. These casualties were from the 41^st Div, New Zealand Div, 47^th Div, 21^st Div and 14^th Div besides a few men from other divisions.

10.30am

28 men of tent division A and B sections 140^th Field Ambulance arrived for assistance and information was received that Captain ROWBOTHAM and infantry men and bearers were arriving later. I was to return to camp on MAMETZ - MONTAUBAN road at noon and Captain ROWBOTHAM was to take over command of bearers at the Dump. Captain HOGG had left me last night as MO to 32^nd Fusiliers whose MO had been evacuated. LIEUT LACEY of this unit was sent to 11^th R. West Kents from Williamson's command.

11.30am

8 men of the tent division were retained at the DUMP and the remainder with 20 bearers at the Dump and 40 Infantry men who had now arrived formed 20 stretcher squads who were immediately sent to the line under a sergeant and with a guide to reinforce Captain HARRISON's party.

3.30pm

I arrived back at camp on the MAMETZ – MONTBAUBAN road and had a meal the first since the start of the operation and a sleep.

7pm

Received orders to proceed to CURCIFIX on LONGUEVAL – MONTAUBAN road to form and ADS informed that Captain ROWBOTHAM had taken over there and personnell available there was as under. (These orders were received from OC 138 Field Ambulance under ADMS instruction)

8.30pm

2 officers and 2 bearer subdivisions 21^st Div.

170 stretcher bearers R.W. Kents

Bearer division 139 Field Ambulance

1 Bearer subdivision 138 Field Ambulances

On arrival at CRUCIFIX at 8.30pm I found Captain ROWBOTHAM had not arrived and Captain LAUDER 138^th Field Ambulance from whom he was to have taken over had left.

The 2 bearer subdivisions 21^st Div were weak in numbers. No stretcher bearers were available. There were 48 lying cases here for evacuation. These were safely evacuated to the Divisional collecting station by divisional cars which were here in plenty and Horse ambulance wagons.

8.45pm

I proceeded with Major WILLIAMSON to ADS Quarry to find out about bearers of 140^th Field Ambulance and what had happened to Captain LAUDER

I ordered 1 WO and 6 sergeants remaining at headquarters to bring necessary equipment (detailed) to form an ADS to the SHRINE.

11.10pm

Took over at the SHRINE after seeing Major WILLIAMSON (OC 138^th Field Ambulance and who was apparently conducting operations as regards evacuation of the line generally (vice CO ADMS).

I then found personnel as under

2 officers and 64 other ranks 21 Div.

1 officer and 34 other ranks 140 Field Ambulance (this was Captain ROWBOTHAM and party who arrived shortly after my arrival).

100 other ranks 139 Field Ambulance

? other ranks 138 Field Ambulance.

Sept 17 Abt 12 midnight

Message received that bearers were needed at BROWN and GREEN trenches.

12.35

1 NCO and 8 men left for above trenches having procured a man as a guide

02.15am

Message received addressed to OC 138^th Field Ambulance from Lt. ROCHE that a Dump had been formed on LONGUEVAL – FLERS road ½ m S of FLERS.

02.15am

Lt POOLE with 1 Sgt and 39 men and 3 Ford cars were sent with a guide to clear from in front of LONGUEVAL village and from Dump formed by Lt ROCHE.

03.26am

A runner coming with a patient gave information of 2 officers and 30 Other ranks wounded collected NE of DELVILLE wood – Captain MENZIES and 24 bearers were sent to carry to the road where Ford cars carried them back to ADS

07.50am

72 men with 18 stretchers and 2 stretcher wheels were sent to assist in the evacuation and report having been received that cars could not proceed from along the road by day during enemy shell fire – a Dump was now formed at AW corner of DELVILLE wood.

08.45am

Having received a message from ADMS that the 140 Field Ambulance was to move to the SHRINE I requested Major WILIAMSON to forward personnel and equipment from the GREEN DUMP to me at the SHRINE. Major WILLIAMSON was now in command at the SHRINE under ADMS verbal orders.

12 noon

Sgt SIDDONS and some of the 140 Field Ambulance personnel arrived at the SHRINE having proceeded from the GREEN DUMP to FLERS to collect wounded with orders to return with wounded to the SHRINE. At abut the same time Corporal ANNAND and 28 men from 140 Field Ambulance arrived from the QUARRY.

Just before the arrival of these parties I proceeded through DELVILLE WOOD with a view to seeing how far cars could proceed and where a Dump for wounded could be formed. I met Captain LAUDER in the wood and we chose a spot on the left of the FLERS road at the Northern outskirts of the wood. Wounded to be cleared by hand and stretcher carriage to this spot.

Evacuation was going satisfactorily and the patients were evacuated from the ADS SHRINE with regularity – owing to a BARRAGE of fine evacuation from the line to ADS was difficult but was carried out regularly and dressings were in continuous process of being performed at the ADS. By now the personnel of the 21^st Div. had been removed,although I was unaware of this until I found none present.

Two operating tents were erected at about 8am for dressing rooms for the wounded with an officer in each – 2 new officers having reported for duty during the early hours of the morning. The ADMS had inspected at about 07.30am and given orders for Major WILIAMSON to be in charge of the ADS CRUCIFIX and I was to carry on under his orders. A message was receive about midday that the division was to be relieved this night – by the 55^th Division. Orders to transport lines were sent to pack up remainder of equipment and be prepared to move at short notice.

6pm

Evacuation has been going on regularly. The ADS was shelled during the afternoon but - no casualties ensued. Two men were hit in the early morning in the camp from a 'premature' from our own gun – one killed and one wounded.

11.30pm

An advanced party from 55^th Div. came in. They were taken up the line to the Regimental Aid posts and shown the position of the DUMP and the mode of evacuation explained

Sept 18 03.30am

A further party of 20 men having arrived from the 55^th Div, they were sent to the DUMP to relieve the 41^st Division men there.

06.00am

Relief completed as regards 140 Field Ambulance. Some personnel from 139 Field Ambulance remain and 140^th Field Ambulance moved out. Heavy rain all day.

12.15pm

Arrived at Camp E ALBERT

12.30pm

Put up bivouacs and prepared cookhouses, latrines, incinerators etc. arranged for a rum ration for the Brigade.

10pm

Lieut FOLEY left for temporary duty at 36 CCS

Sept 19

Day spent improving camp and checking equipment – about 12 men in Brigade and Field Ambulance with diarrhoea . Another wet day.

Sept 20

Continued checking equipment and found several deficiencies in the men's personal equipment due in no doubt to the number of moves and different commands in which they served in the few days. Another wet day and camp is uncomfortable.

Sept 21

A fine day – Day spent in cleaning wagons, harness and equipment etc. MO's battalions medical and surgical equipment is to be made good by me by ADMS orders. So asked for indents from MO's immediately.

5pm

Capt. ROWBOTHAM and Capt. HOGG and 23 Other ranks left for HEILLY for temporary duty at 36 CCS under ADMS orders. 2 NCOs and 12 men for baths at VIVIER MILL baths and 1 NCO and 3 men for baths.

6pm

Lieut DYSON and Lieut GAMM reported for duty.

Sept 22

A fine day – cold. Equipment for MO's for 124 Inf. Bde completed. 2 NCOs and 12 men returned fromVIVIER MILLS baths. Arranged for all men of the unit to get baths at VIVIER MILLS.

Sept 23

Fine – refitting unit and MO's of battalions 124 and 122 Inf Bde.

Sept 24 11am

Lieut. DYSON and Lieut GAMM to 36 CCS vice Captain E. S. ROWBOTHAM and Captain F. W. HOGG

10pm

Returned to Field Ambulance. Fine

Sept 25

Orders received to stand ready to move at 2 hours notice from 12.35pm to support XV Corps. Fine

Sept 26

ADMS inspected camp. I inspected124 Inf. Bde. Lines for sanitary purposes. Fine hot.

Sept 27

Fine cooler

Sept 28

Fine showery later

Sept 29

Note. There has been a considerable amount of diarrhoea since returning from the line on the 18^th inst. among the units of the two brigades 122 and 124 evacuating through this Field Ambulance – over 40 cases have been admitted during this period – 11 of which have been sent on to CRS or CCS

Sept 30

Fine. Still in camp. Chart attached marked app. 6

(Note appendix contains hand written movement orders as well as chart of numbers of sick)

Oct 1 11.am

Lovely fine day. Clocks went back 1 hour to normal time.

Church parade.

Oct 2

Rain. 124 I.D. Moved to Camp at X30 near MAMETZ

Oct 3 11am

Fine. Showery later.

Went to reconnoitre for a camp on the MAMETZ – BAZENTIN road at X29d. And got in touch with OC 139 ( o/ in charge evacuation) at FLAT IRON copse.

1.30pm

Field ambulance less A and C tent subdivisions, 10 men of bearer division ( at CCS and baths HEILLY) moved to camp at X29d.4.5.

4.10pm

Field Ambulance arrived at camp with 3 officers and 125 O ranks arrived at Camp X29

Oct 3 7pm

Lieut DAVIES and 75 men and 1 horse ambulance wagon with orderly proceeded to FLAT IRON Copse to report to O/C Evacuation for bearer duties.

Oct 4 3.30am

'B' section tent subdivision in command of Captain ROWBOTHAM and Captain HOGG proceeded to GREEN DUMP to take over ADS from New Zealand Field ambulance.

10am

Two horse ambulance wagons with wagon orderlies proceeded to FLAT IRON Copse for duty up the line, leaving 29 O ranks here.

4.15pm

Captain MCCRIRICK reported for duty at FLAT IRON Copse

5pm

Captain MCCRIRICK proceeded to FLAT IRON Copse. 1 Officer and 14 O/ranks admitted to hospital today and detained. These are all sick from transport lines etc.

Oct 5 9am

Fine and showery later.

Captain BINNIE and Lieut ROCHE and 104 O/ranks bearer division arrived from 138^th Field Ambulance.

7pm

2 Sgts and 30 O/ranks 124 Inf. Bde. To FLAT IRON Copse for bearer duties

7.45pm

Lieut DAVIES returned from FLAT IRON Copse

8pm

Captain ROWBOTHAM and Captain HOGG and 'B' section tent subdivision returned from GREEN DUMP having been relieved by 138^th Field Ambulance.

Oct 6 6am

Captain BINNIE and 75 O/ranks left for FLAT IRON Copse for bearer duties.

10.30am

Visited FLAT IRON Copse Found OC Major Long out up the line.

12 noon

ADMS visited FLAT IRON Copse and held conference on following days operations.

3pm

Sent Captain ROWBOTHAM in search of extra stretchers and blankets for following days operations. He obtained from ambulance train after much trouble and returned at 1.30am on 7th

Oct 7 12.15am

2 NCOs and 30 men 122 Inf. Bde arrived as bearers.

1.30am

Captain ROWBOTHAM returned

4.30am

Captain ROWBOTHAM with remainder of 140^th bearer division (12 men) and 64 infantry men as bearers left for work up the line with bearer division New Zealand Ambulance under the OC 139^th Field Ambulance.

Lieut ROCHE left for duty at FLAT IRON Copse at the same hour. Fine morning.

1 – 5pm

32 Infantry men 124 Inf. Bde. details as bearers and 1 Officer and 75 men 138^th Field Ambulance returned for a rest to the dump – these were fed and had foot baths and to bivouacs.

10pm

Major THURSTON DADMS ordered 138^th Field Ambulance bearers and 124 Inf. Bde details to go up the line for bearer duty.

10pm

Bearers awakened packs handed in and rations drawn.

11pm

The party as detailed above moved out under the command of Captain HOGG 140^th Field Ambulance.

Oct 8 5am

Wet – a heavy bombardment heard on our left.

6pm

A busy day straightening up the camp – 100 sick from transport lines 41 Div and other divisions seen – Captain ROWBOTHAM returned from McCORMICK's post.

6.30pm

Bearer divisions 139^th and 140^th Field ambulance returned to dump, also infantry 123 Bde

7pm

Bearers infantry detail 122 Bde returned. All fed and some feet washed and bivouacs to rest. Packs served out. Rum and cigarette ration served out.

Oct 8 5.30pm

Received instruction to send up 140^th bearer division to be at THISTLE ALLEY at 2pm tomorrow. Fine night.

Oct 9 9.15am

Received instruction to send up 140^th Field Ambulance bearer division to be at THISTLE ALLEY at 11am to proceed to McCORMICK's post for bearer duties.

The bearers were fed having had only a light breakfast and packs served out and rations drawn. Feet washed where not already done.

11am

The party 1 NCO and 60 men bearers 5 car orderlies and 3 cooks under command of Lieut DAVIES moved out to THISTLE ALLEY.

11.30am

Under instructions received the Infantry details less 1 NCO and 6 men 124 Inf. Bde return to their transport lines.

1pm

I went up to McCORMICK'S post and found all 140^th bearer division out at aid posts.

4.30pm

On way back from McCORMICK'S post I met 32 infantry details going up to McCORMICK'S post for bearer duties having just left THISTLE ALLEY. Later I was informed 50 infantry men had gone up altogether about the same time.

5.30pm

Returned to camp and found Captains HOGG and BINNIE had returned to camp from McCORMICK'S post meanwhile.

6.45pm

1 NCO and 6men (remainder of 124 Inf. Bde detail) returned to camp (medical dump). These were fed before returning to their lines

8pm

Lieut. ROCH and 100 bearers 138^th Field Ambulance returned from McCORMICK'S post.

8.40pm

79 bearers 139^th Field Ambulance left for McCORMICK'S post for bearer duties Lieut. HUDSON i/c as far as FLAT IRON Copse.

9.30pm

138 bearer division fed and provided with packs and to bivouac for rest

Oct 10 4.30am

Bearer division 140^th Field Ambulance returned to camp.

2pm

Lieut. HUDSON with bearer division 138^th Field Ambulance left for FLAT IRON Copse - bearers to be taken on to McCORMICK's post.

8.15pm

Received orders that I was to hand over to OC 98^th Field Ambulance and take on CORPS COLLECTING STATION FOR WALKING WOUNDED by 10. am 11^th inst. from the same officer.

10pm

Bearer division 139^th Field Ambulance returned to camp to rest – weather fine

Oct 11 8.30am

Bearer division 138^th Field Ambulance returned to camp for rest.

08.45am

Main body of 140^th Field Ambulance moved out to BECORDEL and arrived 09.45am and took over the XV CORPS MAIN DRESSING STATION FOR WALKING WOUNDED

10.00

Relief completed.

1.10pm

Rear party arrived. Weather fine.

Total personnel 3 Officers and 106 Other ranks besides myself – of these only 6 were dressers. Later 2 officers 138^th Field Ambulance join.

Oct 12

Busy morning cleaning up and reorganising the camp – an attack by XV Corps was to take place at 2.15pm casualties expected to be heavier.

5pm

First casualties arrived.

7pm

Battle casualties arriving in continuous stream – omnibuses arriving from the line from 4^th, 6^th, 9^th, 12^th, 14^th, 15^th, 21^st, 29^th, 30^th, 41^st, 47^th, 56^th, New Zealand and oddments ( 12 cases) from corps troops. Weather fine.

Oct 13 9am

The heavy stream of wounded has now ceased. Casualties are coming slowly. Casualties all evacuated to CCS and Corps rest station and there was never a block and seldom more than a charabanc load (25) for sitters places waiting for evacuation. Casualties 12 noon 12^th to 12 noon 13^th - wounded 992, sick 67. These included casualties from 1^st, 2^nd , 4^th, 6^th, 9^th, 12^th, 21^st, 29^th, 30^th, 41^st, 47^th, 50^th, New Zealand and 2^nd cavalry division V Corps troops 91. 30^th Div. had 20 sick and 438 wounded and 29^th Div. 6 sick and 245 wounded, 12 Div 6 sick and 175 wounded. Weather fine.

4pm

ADMS visited camp and informed me the division were to leave the area and my field ambulance would be relieved in the morning of the 15^th inst.

Oct 14 10am

Ambulance cars 138^th and139th (4 of each) which had been available during operations on12th and 13^th were returned to the ambulances under instructions from ADMS 41^st Div. Fine day.

Oct 15 12 noon

Handing over completed - 88^th Field Ambulance (Lt. Col WELD), 29^th Div took over – Total casualties in Field Ambulance in the Somme -Officers;- Killed 1 Wounded 1. Other Ranks;-Killed 2 Wounded;- 20

Fine day

1.20pm

Moved out for RIBEMONT billets.

4.15pm

Arrived billets RIBEMONT.

Oct 16 8.40am

Horse transport moved out to proceed by road to BETTENCOURT – Captain HOGG in command.

11.20am

Personnel moved out to entrain at EDGEHILL at 2pm for BETTENCOURT

12 noon

Motor ambulance left RIBEMONT to proceed by road to BETTENCOURT

3pm

Motor transport arrived BETTENCOURT. Fine

Oct 17 1.30pm

Personnel arrived in billets BETTENCOURT. Fine

7.10pm

Horse transport arrived in billets BETTENCOURT. Raining

Oct 18 3.45pm

Warm showery clearing up.

DO Brigade ( 124 Inf) this pm to see Acc Major LLOYD-GREANE. Sick.

Oct 19

Rain – Parade for equipment checking – personnel especially.

2.30pm

Horse transport moved out for station LONGPRE to entrain for CAESTRE

4.30pm

Personnel and motor ambulance wagons moved out for LONGPRE station to entrain personnel and motors to proceed after entrainment of personnel by road under command of Captain ROWBOTHAM.

07.50pm

Train left LONGPRE station for CAESTRE and motor ambulances left by road for CAESTRE station.

Oct 20 6.50am

Arrived CAESTRE station met by motor ambulances – men given breakfasts and hot coffee

7.40am

Moved out for billets at METEREN personnel only

09.20am

Arrived billets METEREN with personnel

10.15am

Horse transport arrived at billets METEREN. On this journey loading and unloading of transport was carried on by a loading party detailed from an infantry battalion to load and unload the whole brigade group. Arrangements were made to send on the dixies and breakfast rations from CAESTRE station to billets METEREN so as to be ready to ogive breakfasts to personnel onarrival in Billets. Cleaning up billets rest of the day. Fine cold frosty.

Oct 21 9am

Parade Gas helmet inspections and drill for field ambulance

12 noon

Field Ambulance moved out to proceed to billets BOESCHEPE with 124 Brigade

2pm

Field ambulance arrived in billets

10am

Left for RENINGHELST with Captain ROWBOTHAM to inspect the dressing stations and aid posts at RENINGHELST, OUDERDOM ( dressing stations), DICKEBUSCH ( adv. Dressing station) VORMOZEELE and SPOILBANK (ADS).

7pm

I returned to BOESCHEPE with Captain ROWBOTHAM . Men in billets in village. Fine cold frosty.

Oct 22

Sunday – Mens billets changed – advanced party with Captain ROWBOTHAM proceeded to OUDERDOM to learn the geography of the line.

Captain HOGG and advanced party (1 NCO and 4 men) left to learn working of baths at RENINGHELST.

12 noon

Proceeded personally to ADMS at FLETRE

4pm

ADMS inspected. Fine cold frosty

Oct 23 8am

Captain DAVIES proceeded to Onelaere for a 'Gas Course'

9am

Captain DAVIDSON with 4 NCOs and10 men left to take over main dressing station at RENINGHELST

'A' section bearers reported to Captain HOGG at baths

Oct 24 7.30am

Remainder of ambulance left BOESCHEPE for RENINGHELST

9.30am

Arrived RENINGHELST and took over dressing station from the 4^th Australian Field Ambulance

Oct 25

Busy arranging wards and dressing rooms. Car went to St Omer for supplies from the British Red Cross Society

Oct 26 6.30am

Leave open for ambulance. Lt Col R.C. WILMOTT and Dr BARRON ASCMT proceeded on leave . Captain J. P. DAVIDSON acting OC

9.30am

Went round hospital with Engineer officer deciding on repair and additions required

12.30pm

Four men arrived as draughts. All cooks with good recommendations

3pm

Captain DAVIES arrived back from 'Gas Course'

Oct 27 10am

I visited ADMS about condition of motor ambulances. We are one short – three are in workshops leaving two Talbots and a Ford to work of a whole ambulance.

Medical reconnaissance made of RENINGHELST, OUDERDOM, DICKEBUSCH dressing stations and R.A.Ps by Captain ROWBOTHAM and myself.

Evacuated 30 cases of measles from 18^th Bn KRRC.

Lieut. D. G. FOLEY reported to 26^th Bn RFs for temporary duty in relief of Captain HODGSON who is proceeding on leave. Lieut. J.D. DYSON proceeded to OUDEDOM in place of Lieut. FOLEY.

Oct 28 9.30am

Lieut Dyson returned to MDS at RENINGHELST.

Captain ROWBOTHAM and I attended a conference on medical reconnaissance.

11.30am

52 more cases of measles evacuated from 18^th KRRC

Oct 29 10am

Visited MDS at OUDODOM and ADS at DICKENBUSCH. Found all in order

5pm

Attended reviewal conference at ADMS office. The cases diagnosed as measles from 18^th KRRC now proved to be suffering from scabies and lice.

Oct 30 9am

Sent car to St Omer to get equipment from Red Cross

2pm

Capt. DAVIES instructed first batch of men in use of new small bon Respirator.

Two cars returned from workshop and another went in. Douglas motor cycle broke down and returned to work shop. 7 days since ambulance took up position at RENINGHELST and it has rained every day.

Captain DAVIES proceeded to OUDERDOM and DICKEBUSCH to instruct personnel there in use of New Respirator.

Lieut DYSON relieved Lieut GAMM at ADS The latter returning to RENINGHELST. Officers ward almost completed. Repairs on premises proceeding slowly on account of want of material

Nov 1

Capt. DAVIES proceeded to Abeele to draw money for the pay. Men at OUDERDOM and DICKEBUSCH payed during afternoon. Men at main dressing station and baths in the evening.

ASC instructed in use of small bon respirator

Nov 2

Payed remainder of the men at MDS. Capt. Cather ASC approved of building additional stabling. I visited OUDERDAM, prisoner of war camp and DICKEBUSCH. Ford car arrived in exchange for Talbot.

Nov 3 10.30am

The GOC Division and ADMS inspected the hospital. Busy cleaning out drains, and adjusting duckboards throughout the day. Board of enquiry held at OUDERDOM on loss of draught poles from ambulance wagon. President ;- Capt. ROWBOTHAM. Members;- Capt DAVIES and Lieut. JONES.

Nov 4 09.00am

Attended office of ADMS re; Corporal Annand

11.00am

Lieut. GAMM joined the 12^th East Surrey Regiment in relief of Capt. WILSON who goes on leave.

11.30am

I visited OUDERDOM. Personnel busy while washing cook houses, ablutions benches and refuse lines etc.

Nov 5

Returned from leave last night – midnight. Busy day in office and about the hospital grounds with the improvements.

Nov 6

Visited OUDERDAM. DMS 2^nd Army, DDMS X Corps and ADMS 41st Div. inspected OUDERDOM and RENINGHELST main dressing stations also POW camp OUDERDOM

Nov 7

Did orderly duty. Very wet. Lieut. JONES left unit on completion of 12 months service – no relief owing to reduction of establishment of officers to 8 medical officers.

Nov 8

Visited OUDERDOM DICKEBUSCH (123 1Bde Hospital there and ADS) and RAPs for left sector

Nov 9

Did orderly duty. Fine weather.

Nov 10 11.00am

Visited OUDERDOM and DICKEBUSCH inspected prisoner of war camp DICKEBUSCH and OUDERDOM 12.30

Nov 12

Capt. DAVIES proceeded on leave to England ( 14 days) . I became acting ADMS on Lt. Col. LONG proceeding this day to England. Col. Rateray the ADMS being absent on leave.

Nov 14 11.00am

Visited OUDERDOM and VOORMOZEELE – more artillery activity than usual. Lieut. DYSON proceeded to DICKEBUSCH having been relieved by the MO Battalion returned from leave.

Nov 17

Weather has been cold the past three days – frost at night. Finer since the 9^th inst. Owing to performing orderly duties every other day there is little to report. The battalion relief was shelled on 15^th inst. In DICKEBUSCH causing 13 wounded. Otherwise casualties have been very slight since taking over on24th Oct. ADMS returned from leave.

Nov 18

Captain HOGG received the military cross.

Nov 20

Fine rain in the evening. Lieut. DYSON left unit to become MO 23 D Middlesex Hpl.

Nov 21

Fine. Capt. HOGG proceeded on leave ( 10 days).

To OUDERDOM in the morning.

Nov 22

Rain early morning. Fine later.

Nov 23

Fine

Nov 24

Fine. Inspected aid posts VOORMOZEELE - SPOILBANKS and ADS DICKEBUSCH. Capt. DAVIDSON proceeded on leave ( 14 days).

Nov 25

Rain

Nov 26

Fine rain in the evening.

Nov 27

Was a member of a Court Martial on RAMC officer Lieut STEWARD in the morning. Colder.

Nov 28

Fine cold

Nov 29

Fine cold. Inspected OUDERDOM. Lieut. HENSLEY reported for duty.

Nov 30

Fine cold. Inspected OUDERDOM. Saw about making round at MDS RENINGHELST.

The casualties during the month have been very slight. Prevailing disease has been a slight feverish cold with pains in the muscles. Trench feet have been noticed chiefly in the battalion in the centre due probably to the 'Mud patch'. Chart attached – appendix 7.

Dec 1 11.00am

Conference for Field Ambulance commanders at ADMS office ( weekly). Sergeant-Major ROBERTSON RAMC left the unit for duty with 134 Field Ambulance. Cold – frosty.

Dec 2 2.00pm

Inspected DICKENBUSCH ADS and afterwards OUDERDOM MDS . Cold – frosty.

Sergeant-Major PILGRIM RAMC reported for duty from 134 Field Ambulance in exchange for Sergeant-Major ROBERTSON. Weather cold and frosty.

Dec 3

Cold. Fine weather.

Dec 4

Milder fine morning – rain afternoon

Dec 5

Held board of examination for a commission for an officer. Rain.

Dec 6 9.30am

OC Divisional Train inspected Transport section of Field Ambulance. Roade around and saw 123 Machine Gun Company re; ?inoculation and 123 Inf. Bde about a guard on the lake (water supply) at DICKEBUSCH. Lieut MORRISON MO 183 Bde RFA reported for duty. Fine cold.

Dec 7

Gas helmet inspection (weekly). Captain DAVIES returned from leave and went to OUDERDOM MDS in charge. Captain ROWBOTHAM left for leave (10) days. Lieut. HENSLEY to ADS DICKEBUSCH.

Dec 8

Wet day. ADVS inspected the horses. Lieut FOLEY left for duty with 47^th Division. Started a road to the stables.

Dec 9

Very wet. Inspected DICKEBUSCH and OUDERDOM. Captain ROWWLAND reported from 47^th Division for duty in exchange for Lieut, FOLEY. Lieut. GAMM to DICKEBUSCH ADS for duty.

Dec 11

Frost. ADMS inspected unit on parade and Dressing station RENINGHELST

Dec 12

Snow

Dec 13

Inspected OUDERDOM, DICKEBUSCH, VOORMOZEELE, SPOILBANK in morning. Dull weather.

Dec 14

Board of examination held for cooks advancement to 4^th rate of Corps pay. Arranged for evacuation from RAP VOORMOZEELE to ADS DICKEBUSCH to be carried out by Ford car instead of horse ambulance. Board of examination for commission for officer in Indian Army.

Dec 15 09.15

Viva Voce examination for cooks.

11.00am

ADMS weekly conference – weather fine – changeable.

Dec 18

To CHIPPENA – LA CLYTTE baths – DICKEBUSCH ADS – VOORMOZEELE - SPOILBANK – and OUDERDAM. Men paid. Fine frosty – Lieut MORRISON went to HAZEBROUK for week's course in sanitation.

Dec 19

Captain ROWBOTTHAM returned from leave and took over duty at MDS OUDERDAM from Captain DAVIES. A search on Divisional orders was made for lost motor cycles – none were found.

Dec 21

Frosty weather the past three days

Dec 23

Rain the past two days – inspected DICKENBUSCH ADS

Dec 25

Rain in morning fine after.

GOC inspected MDS RENINGHELST in morning.

Dec 26

GOC inspected horses. Fine dull frosty. Pte Brotherwood of this unit was wounded at DICKENBOSCH on a Ford car returning from VOORMOZEELE about

Dec 27

Warmer dull. Inspected OUDERDAM MDS. Pte Page of this unit was wounded at VOORMOZEELE. 3 casualties admitted from accident at 123 Inf. Bde bombing school.

5pm

Gave a lecture at Divisional school on sanitation and trench feet.

Dec 29

Six reinforcements formed

Dec 30

Inspected OUDERDAM – DICKEBUSCH – VOORMOZEELE – SPOILBANKS and BEDFORD HOUSE. Trenches very wet - some artillery activity behind the line – mild windy heavy rain at night.

Mild cloudy – Trench feet have been less prevalent – a lot of albuminuria and nephritis- PUO and influenza but no serious diseases of infective nature prevail – monthly chart. (appendix 8) 5 casualties from a stokes mortar accident at bombing school 123 Inf. Bde.