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In this account Trimble reports several large convoys dated between the 16th and 22nd of August, 1916. It also mentions a potential outbreak of tetanus, a visit from the Colonel and Mrs Philips and the possibility of honouring a previous employee for his service to the order. However, it also details a fire in the nearby Canadian Hospital.
Page 1.
My Lord,
Herewith my report within the date 16th to 22nd of August.
The following convoys were received;
On Thursday, the 17th, convoy of officers to the number
of 13 were admitted. These were all stretcher cases, and of an
exceedingly bad description. One poor officer succumbed to his
wounds on Sunday, the 20th. Several of those remaining are very
seriously ill indeed, and two of them are being visited by their
relatives.
The second convoy arrived on Saturday, the 19th, and
Consisted of 35 stretcher cases, and the third convoy was admitted
On Monday, the 21st, and there were 82 stretcher and 44 sitting
Cases. As usual the stretcher cases contained very many surgical
Urgencies which demanded immediate attention.
Just recently we have had six cases of tetanus occurring
After severe wounds. Two of these, I am sorry to say, have died.
All of these were sent down from the same casualty clearing
Station, and I have made a note of this, and the attention of the
consulting surgeon to the district has also been drawn to it.
On Thursday, the 17th, I had a visit from Mr. Bateson and
Mr. Furnie. These gentlemen are on the Committee of the Liverpool
Merchant’s Mobile Hospital, and were visiting there, and after
expressing a wish to see the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade Hospital,
were brought over here by Col. Peeke, who commands the Liverpool
Page 2.
Merchants Hospital. I am quite positive they were very surprised
at the perfection of the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade Hospital.
On Sunday, the 20th, Col. James Cantlie and his son Capt.
Cantlie, came here. I conducted them round and I have no hesita
-tion in saying that Col. Cantlie made a very accurate a through
examination of the methods of administration of the hospital, and as
he was about to depart he told me he had not seen anything like our
hospital in France and he congratulated me on my command.
On Monday, the 21st, Col. And Mrs. Phillips called here.
The Colonel is Commandant at the British Red Cross Hospital at
Giza, Cairo, Egypt and Mrs. Philips is the principal Matron to
The British Red Cross Society in Egypt, and I think she was formerly
Matron at the Duchess of Westminster’s hospital here. I think
they were surprised to find the Order of St. John had such a fine
institution as our hospital is.
On Sunday, the 20th, a letter was received from Surgeon
General Sir Arthur Sloggett, K. C. B., offering Major Maynard Smith
The position of Consulting Surgeon to the British forces in
France. I at once wrote to you concerning this matter, and on
Monday I dictated a second letter to you asking that Major Smith be
relieved of his contract with the Order, and also be allowed to
withdraw immediately from the service of the hospital, so as to
enable him to take up his new position, the duties of which are
of a very serious nature. I wired you yesterday asking that
sanction be given for Maynard Smith to go. I regret exceed-
ingly that he is severing his connection with the Hospital for
Page 3.
Two reasons. Firstly, he is an especially brilliant surgeon, and
Secondly, he is an excellent companion. However, I am glad his
service has been recognised, because he richly deserves the
promotion. It is a nice position and one very much sought after,
and I feel he will do excellent work in his new field. I would
here like to suggest that it would appear to me to be a graceful
act if the Order of St. John would confer on him the grade of
“Knight of Grace” of the Order of St. John. I think you will
Possibly be in possession of the fact that ever since the inception
Of the hospital no one has worked harder or dome more to assure
Its success than Major Maynard Smith. I feel sure that you will agree
with me that he has merited some recognition from the Order.
On Monday, the 21st, a fire broke out in the neighbouring
Hospital of the No. 1 Canadians. At the time there was a great
excitement, but I am glad to say that only two sections of a tent
were burned down, and as the patients in this were all walking
cases, no lives were lost. Our fire party turned out to render
what assistance they could.
Mr. Langridge and Mr. Parsons, of the Joint Committee of
the Order of St. John and British Red Cross Society, called on
Monday to have an interview with me respecting the provision
Of Red Cross workers permits for our V.A.D’s and nurses. The
British Red Cross Society sent me the papers asking me to fill
them up. As none of our personnel are British Red Cross I did
not do this, and I am now glad to say I have arranged the obtain-
ing of these Red Cross workers’ permits through the Assistant
Provost Marshall at Etaples.
Page 4.
I have to report that Sergt. E. J. Ockleford has been
Promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant to date from 14th of Aug., 1916.
I am glad to be able to state this, because this N.C.O. has rendered
Exceedingly good service.
Yours etc.
(Signed Charles J. Trimble)
The Director.
