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Colonel Trimble reports on the number of convoys, with statistics of the number of both stretcher and walking cases noted. He then discusses the number of visits the hospital has received from individuals such as Lord and Lady Esher, General Chamoin and Madame Ernest Carnot as well as General Woodhouse and Colonel Carr, who came to discuss Captain McIlwaine’s research on the “Soldiers Heart”. There is also a mention of the whereabouts of a selection of hospital staff, not forgetting a record of a heated debate with the Motor Transport Department about the number of vehicle the hospital is allowed to retain. Overall it was concluded that the both the running of the Hospital and the visits have been highly successful to date, with guests praising the hospital and its smooth running.
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My Lord,
I beg to submit a short report extending from Wednesday
August 30th to Tuesday September 6th, 1916.
The following convoys here been submitted into the
hospital:- On Thursday, the 31st ult., we received from No. 28
Ambulance Train 31 stretcher and 41 walking cases. On Tuesday,
the 5th, we had two convoys, one at 12.20 am. Consisting of 40
stretcher cases and 3 officers, also on stretchers; and at 6.45.p.m we
received 78 stretcher and 105 walking cases. The two
last- named convoys came down from the fighting that is going on
round Guillemont. There were many serious cases amongst them,
and some which required early surgical attention.
The hospital had a visit from Lord and Lady Esher on
Wednesday, the 30th ult. Lord Donoughmore brought them over
from Boulogne, and they had lunch at our Mess and afterwards saw
the hospital . I think I am right in expressing the opinion
that they were very interested in all they saw and quite appre-
ciated it. In going away Lady Esher told me her visit gave
her very great pleasure.
On Saturday, September 2nd, General Chamoin and Madame
Ernest Carnot, with her daughter, called and expressed a desire
to see the hospital. Madame Carnot is head of the French Red
Cross. She was very interested with the working and arrangements
of the hospital, and as she spoke very good English it simplified
matters considerably in the explanation of details. I think
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they were all very much surprised and gratified with what they
Saw, and also with what I was enabled to tell them.
General Woodhouse and Colonel Carr came on the same day
as they wished to talk over the matter of Capt. MacIlwaine devoting
some of his time to the subject of “Soldiers Heart” as affecting
the solider on active service. It was arranged that for the
present Capt. MacIlwaine is to see patients in the various
hospitals in this district and also any other cases sent to him
from the Details Camp. Since then he has been devoting himself
to this work, and I think it is quite possible that owing to what
he is doing and advanced position in this line will be offered to
him. This will not interfere with his hospital work, and I think
it will have the effect of settling him down with the hospital for
some time. He was getting restless, and I was afraid I should
lose him when his contract terminated in October. This would
have been a very serious blow to the Medical Division of the
Hospital, as he is undoubtedly a very brilliant man,
Lieut. Jackson, one of our Assistant Surgeons, returned
from leave on Sunday. I allowed him to go as his wife is not in
good health. Lieut. L.E. Hine, our Quartermaster, went on leave
on Saturday, the 2nd, for seven days. The work of his department
is being well supervised by the Quartermaster Sergeant. I have
also allowed Capt. Coplestone to go home for seven days on urgent
private affairs; he left here on the 5th. At the present time
there are three sisters and three V.A.D`S on leave.
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The Motor Transport Department is tightening up the reins
with regard to the number of motor vehicles attached to each
voluntary unit. I had a visit from the Transport Officer at
Boulogne, who came over to see me with regard to the touring car,
the Cadillac van, and the Ford box van. He said sanction had been
given to us to keep the touring car and the Cadillac van, but the
number would have to be removed from the Ford van. I expressed my
regret at this, and pointed out that the Ford van was exceptionally
useful in the Cadillac went out of order, and as we did our own
transport with regard to our washing between Etaples and Berok Plage,
it was necessary for me to have a car to fall back on. He then
Pointed out that I could make representations through the D.D.M.S.
to retain the Ford van and this I have done to-day, making my case
as strong as possible.
I do not think there is anything further of special
interest since I last had the honour of presenting you with my
report. I am quite sure the hospital is carrying on its functions
in an efficient manner, and although I feel the responsibility of
commanding a unit of the description, I would like to bear tribute
to the fact that the assistance given me by the officers, including
Capt. Gordon, greatly assists me in this duty. I am sure that
those in authority here are satisfied with all that is being done.
Yours etc.
(Signed) Charles J. Trimble
The Director of Ambulance.
