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In this report, the Director repeats his past request for Major Trimble to replace him upon his imminent retirement from the role of Hospital Director, partly due to his military rank meaning the change in pay will save money for the Hospital. If Major Trimble was not promoted, then the Director asks that his pay reflect that of a Lieutenant Colonel, which would still mean a saving for a Hospital. If no payment was made to Major Trimble, the Hospital would lose money by having to increase the pay of Captain Houston, the Chief Physician. The Director notes that a number of notable visitors had come to the Hospital, including French Minister M. Briand, Lord Crewe, the Director General of the French Medival Naval Services, General Valliere and a number of esteemed civilians. Enclosed with the report is a list of Hospital staff from 14th July 1916 onwards. The Director notes that Mr Goyder, who previously resigned from his post at the Hospital, wanted to return, which the Director supports. He requests that engagement forms be provided to him, so that the Officers may sign them and then pass them on to Order headquarters, or be signed by the Director himself.

 

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Army Post Office, S.11,

British Expeditionary Force,

France.

28.6.16

 

My Lord,

I note that my telegram in answer to Mr. Cecil’s

arrived in time and was sufficiently correctly rendered to

be understood.

I have asked in my application to the Military

Authorities to be relieved suggested that Major Trimble

should be appointed to succeed me in the Command here.

If my suggestion is accepted it will I presume mean that

Major Trimble will come under the pay of the Military

Authorities with the rank of Temporary Lieutenant Colonel.

This will mean a saving to the Hospital Funds at the rate

of £600 a year. £200 of Major Trimble’s present salary

of £800 will be diverted to bring the pay of Captain Houston

as Physician-in-Chief up to £800. per annum.

Should the Military Authorities not give Major

Trimble the extra step in rank I would suggest that his

pay be made up to that of Lieut. Colonel, a cost to the

Hospital Funds at the rate of £120 a year, so that there

would still be a net saving to the funds of £480.

Only in the event of the Military Authorities

refusing to pay Major Trimble would there be increased

expenditure of the Hospital Funds at the rate of £200 per

annum to bring Captain Houston’s pay up to that of the

present Chief Physician. Major Trimble being paid as at

present.

I may mention that the Army pay of a Lieut. Colonel

R.A.M.C. out here with allowances amounts to about £780 a

year from which income tax has to be deducted on about £550.

 

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We have received several distinguished visitors,

chiefly French, to the Hospital, lately. On Sunday the 25th,

we entertained the French Minister M. Briand to tea. On

Monday the 19th Lord Crewe visited us. On Sunday the 18th.

we entertained the Director General of the French Naval

Medical Services and his staff to Lunch, and on the 18th

General Valliere and several distinguished civilian gentle-

men, amongst them M. Coomb visited the Hospital. All were

greatly impressed with what they saw.

I enclose a Nominal Roll of the Sisters serving

here showing how they stand with regards to their contracts

with the Hospital. Sister Webster left here on account of

ill health on June 8th 1916. I would suggest that she be

paid in full to the termination of her contract (July 14th

1916) as she became ill while working in the Hospital.

I also enclose a Nominal Roll of the staff as

it will be from July 14th onwards, with remarks.

Mr. Goyder who terminated his first engagement

with the Hospital on January 14th 1916 wishes to re-engage.

He has agreed to return as an Assistant Surgeon on the pay

and bonus of that position, viz.25/- a day and a bonus of

£30. after six months service. I recommend his re-engagement

on these terms; he will thus complete the number of the staff

reduced by the retirement of Captain Collum.

If I can be supplied with some more engagement forms

I will obtain the signatures of the Officers to them, and will

send them home for signatures on behalf of the Order, or if

agreeable so sign them myself.

 

I have the honour to be,

Your Lordship’s Obedient Servant,

(signed)                               J.R.A. Clark.

 

The Director,

The Ambulance Department,

St. John’s Gate,

Clerkenwell, E.C.