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In this report, Sergeant Trimble describes the visit of His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught, along with several other notable men, all of whom approved of the Hospital’s work. There were a number of other visitors, and several members of staff went or returned from leave. The recipient of these reports was soon to visit the Hospital and Sergeant Trimble wished to discuss several points with him regarding staff and the operation of the facility. He reports that 1,417 patients passed through the Hospital during October 1916.
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Army Post Office. S. 11,
British Expeditionary Force,
France.
1.11.16
My Lord,
Herewith my usual weekly statement.
I think I had better in the first instance tell
you that H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught accompanied by Col.
Streatfield, Colonel Bethell, Lt.Colonel Stanton together
with Brigadier General Graham Thomson and the Head Quarter
staff of Etaples visited the Hospital on Sunday the 29th.
October. There is only one point of regret and that is
the short time at the disposal of H.R.H. however I was able
to show him several Departments of the Hospital and some of
our wards. I took him into “B” ward which bears his own name.
I think he was undoubtedly pleased and gratified with all
that he saw and he told me that he would report to the Order
that he visited the Hospital. H.R.H. and the Officers accom-
panying him stayed for tea which was served in the Officers
Mess.
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2.
The following convoys were admitted :-
Stretcher. Walking
Oct. 26th. No.22. A.T. 60. 39.
“ 28th. “ 24. “ 60. 35.
“ 30th. “ 24. “ 24. —
Making a total admitted of 218. During the same period we
have evacuated 247. and there have been 8. Deaths.
Mrs. Corner and Miss Peter came on the 25th.
and stayed with the Matron until Sunday the 19th. I think
they enjoyed their visit and seemed very interested in the
Hospital. As I told you in a hurried P.S. to one of my
letters, Lady Constance Milnes Gaskell along with Mrs. Gardner
from Canada came to the Hospital on Thursday the 26th. ult.
It was a very great pleasure to me to let them see the whole
institution, and in all probability you will have heard dir-
ect from Lady Gaskell with respect to her visit.
On the 25th. ult. Sister Weston went on leave
and Captain Butterworth also went on the same for 14 days
leave. He had not been very well for some time. Major Houston
returned from leave on this date.
On Tuesday the 31st. ult. V.A.D. Nurse Pole Carey
went home on leave. Sister Gervine and V.A.D. Nurse Reny
Taylour were taken into the sick Sisters Home at Le Touquet.
I am greatly afraid that the last named lady will have to be
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3.
invalided to England as this is the second break down she
has had since she came to us a short time ago.
I shall be writing to you in a day or two
making some suggestions with respect to the present staff
of the Hospital. I feel that everything should be done
to retain our present M.Os and after being out here for
fifteen months one cannot help noticing that at time there
are little indications of restlessness which I think it is
quite possible to alay. However you will have my suggestions
and you will no dount deal with them as you think best.
I shall be very glad to see you out here for
I feel there are several points we can discuss with interest
and benefit to the Hospital and your advice will be very
useful to me. Perhaps you would be able to tell me approx-
imately when I shall heve the honour and pleasure of seeing
you.
I think I may divulge to you that 1417 cases
have passed through the Hospital during the month of October.
The Hospital, so far as I can see is in a par-
ticularly satisfactory condition.
I have the honour to be,
Your Lordships
Obedient servant,
Charles J. Trimble
