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The report from this week in 1915 begins, ‘I have not much to report at present except that good progress is being made.’ The Hospital obtains the loan of a lorry, which allows equipment to be brought to site, but has to refuse the offer of a ‘motor X-ray ambulance car’ from Sir John C. Holder Bt, as sufficient X-ray equipment is already held.
Chief Commissioner Clark also notes that he has delayed posting the report as he was waiting for the arrival of Miss Todd, the Matron, the Assistant Matron, Miss Chittock, and nurses, the Misses Willis, MacMahon and Bertha Smith, who arrived by motor car on the 11th August. However, the report mostly focuses on ‘a definite agreement’, drawn up by the War Office, concerning the rations given to the Red Cross and Voluntary Hospitals.
Finally, the Hospital receives a visit from Sir Arthur Lawley, who was made a Knight of Grace in 1917 and Knight of Justice in 1920 by the Order of St John, and his wife Lady Lawley, on Thursday afternoon. They are offered tea in the Mess.
.
Page One
11/8/15
To The Director
The Ambulance Department,
The Order of St. John of Jerusalem
in England.
My Lord,
I have not much to report at present except that good
progress is being made.
We have obtained the loan of a lorry since Monday, through
the good offices of Sir. Arthur Lawley, which has enabled us to
collect a quantity of our equipment which was lying at Boulogne
and elsewhere.
I find that a definite agreement was drawn up as to the
treatment of Voluntary Hospitals in the matter of rations
between The British red Cross and the War Office Authorities
out here. I enclose a copy.
From this it will be seen that we shall have to pay for
light, fuel, water, petrol-except petrol for one car – and for
tyres.
Since this was drawn up it has been decided that electric
light and water shall be a free issue to Voluntary Hospitals.
In reading through a copy of my last letter to you I notice
in reference to the offer concerning the Mortuary it is written
“this offer has now been accepted” it should have been written
“has not been accepted”.
Miss Todd the Matron, The Assistant Matron Miss Chittock,
and the Misses Willis, MacMahon, and Bertha Smith, arrived safely
in Boulogne and were brought out here by motor car this evening.
I propose sending Captain Gordon home on the 20th to see
to a few matters regarding the equipment of the Hospital.
I have received a letter from Commissioner, Colonel
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Page Two
Continuation 2.
Tyrrell, forwarding an offer from Sir John C. Holder Bt., of
a motor X-Ray Ambulance Car for use at the front. I am afraid
we have no use for it in connection with the hospital as we
have a complete X-Ray equipment already, but I have passed the
offer on to the Military Medical Authorities as it may be of
use on the Lines of Communication.
Sir Arthur and Lady Lawley paid a visit to the Hospital
on Thursday afternoon, I took them round and the appeared
much gratified by what they saw. We were able to offer them tea in
the Mess.
When the Matron has been able to look round I shall be better
able to state when the remaining Nurses should come out, but
probably within the next ten days.
I have the honour to be,
Your Lordships
Obedient servant,
James Clark.
Etaples. 11/8/15
P.S. I have delayed the posting of this letter so as to be able
to notify the arrival of the sisters as reported.
The touring car Sunbeam also arrived yesterday at Boulogne
but without head lights, tools or spare tyres. These are now
being fitted to it after which it will be brought to the Hospital
and the Metallurgique disposed of as requested by Lord Norreys
in his letter of the 9th inst.
Clark
.
Page Three
WAR OFFICE London
London S.W.
7th May 1915.
121/Medical/870
(Q.M.G.6)
Sir,
I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of the 17th ultimo, No Q.M.690, and to acquaint
you in reply that your proposal that Red Cross Hospitals
situated in Camp Areas overseas should be supplied with
electric light and water at the public expense is approved,
in the circumstances represented.
I am
Sir
Your obedient Servant,
(Sgd) H.F.P. Percival, Lt,-Col.
for Major-General
Director of Supplies and Transport.
The Inspector General
of Communications,
British Army in the Field.
.
Page Four
COPY
A.D.M.S.No. G. 10-15Date 24/4/15. Etaples.
From
Field Marshal
J.D.P. French, G.C.B.., O.M., G.C.V.O., K.C.M.G..,
Commander –in-Chief,
British Expeditionary Force,
To
The Secretary,
War Office
——————————————————————————-
GENERAL HEADQUATERS.
28th January, 1915.
Sir,
The question of the amount of the assistance which
should be given to recognised Red Cross and Voluntary Aid
Hospitals is continually arising and it is very desirable
that some definite ruling should be arrived at immediately.
With this object in in view, I have had an agreement
drawn up with the Red Cross in accordance with the attached
statement so as to settle the relative financial
responsibility as regards hospital expenditure of the war
Office and the Red Cross in regard to these hospitals.
The question of the upkeep of Motor Ambulance has
already been arranged by a Routine Order No. 495 published
on 30th December 1914, a copy of which is attached.
I therefore have the honour to request that I may
be informed if you approve of the arrangements made, and if
so, that your concurrence may be cabled to me.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
(Sgd) C.F.N. Macready,
Lieut-General,
For Field Marshal
British Commanding
Army in Field.
.
Page Five
—COPY—
Q.K. 732.
AGREEMENT WITH THE COMMISSIONER, BRITISH RED CROSS
SOCIETY, ON THE 12th. JANUARY, 1915.
—————————————————————-
| To be provided by Red Cross and Voluntary Hospitals. | To be provided by the Army. |
| 1. Hospital Extras2. Hospital Equipment.3. Medical & Surgical Supplies
4. Rent of Building. 5. Feul and Light. Water. 6. Motor Cars, Lorries and Ambulance Wagons 7. Salaries and Wages. 8. Hospital Staff Clothing |
1. Rations For (Personnel.2. Hospital Clothing3. Field Service Clothing for men on discharge4. Washing of Patients, petrol, and tyres, etc., as per War Office Agreement November 17th 1914.
5. Railway Transport |
