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In this account Trimble reports on three convoys which were delivered to the hospital from the 9th to the 15th of August, 1916. It also details visits from the Brigadier General, Graham Thompson, Mr Taylor and Mr Stokes. This extract also mentions the King attending to the nearby Canadian Hospital and a new addition to the nurses. As well as this we are able to gather a general idea of the hospital at this time with Trimble relaying various comments people have made about its practice.
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Army Post Office S. 11,
British Expeditionary Force,
France.
16.8.16
Dear Lord,
The following statement constitutes my report from the 9th to the 15th inst.
between these dates we received three convoys of
wounded, one consisted of four special stretcher cases admitted
from no. 15 Ambulance Train. This were all of an exceedingly
serious nature and one man died an hour and a half after admission.
The second convoy arrived at 2.15. a.m. on the 11th, and numbered
32 stretcher and 63 sitting cases. The third was received on
Sunday the 15th at 12.55a.m. and numbered 72 – all of which were
stretcher cases, and as usual composed of most dangerously wounded
men.
Some trouble arose at the Pumping Station on the
9th inst. And very urgent orders were issued to curtail the
Supply as much as possible. I took steps to immediately carry
Out these instructions but I am glad to say the water was again
all right on the following day.
Brigadier General Graham Thompson, our commandant
here visited the Hospital on the afternoon of Thursday the 10th
inst. He is exceedingly kind and attentive in looking after
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our officer patients.
I also had a visit from Mr. Taylor, F.R.C.S.I.,
President of the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland, and Mr.
Stokes, Surgeon to the Meath Hospital. They were both exceed-
ingly interested in the Hospital and so far as I could find out
had not seen anything like it.
Yesterday the commandant accompanied by Colonel
Plomer brought Lieut-General Sir Thomas Moreland, K.C.B. and
one of his staff, Brigadier General Campbell to have a look at
the St. Johns Ambulance Brigade Hospital. As their time was
rather limited I showed them the most interesting portions of
the Hospital, and Sir Thomas Moreland was good enough to say
he was exceedingly struck with the clean, tidy and bright con-
dition of our wards and the cheerfulness of the patients, even
the most seriously wounded. When going away he complimented me
on my command and said that evidently the Order of St. John was
doing a very fine work. With the last portion of his remark
I quite agree.
H.M. The King paid rather a surprise visit to this
district on Wednesday the 9th inst. He called at the No. 1 Cana-
dian General Hospital and so far as I can find out this is the
only place he visited. I think he could not have known that
the Hospital of the Order of St. John was so near to him or he
might have had a look at us. I do not think our commandant or
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any of his staff knew anything about the visit until it was
ancient history.
Sister Boydon, a new addition to the Nursing
staff joined the Hospital on the 10th inst. and sister Austin
went on leave for 10 days.
Think the work of the Hospital is proceeding
quite smoothly and so far and so far as I know everything is quite satisfactory.
I am very interested in my command and I trust
I shall be able to demonstrate at it’ s termination that I have
done my best.
I have the honour to be,
Your Lordship`s Obedient Servant,
(Sgd) Charles J. Trimble
The Director,
The Ambulance Department,
St John`s Gate,
Clerkenwell.
E.C.
