For an introduction to this project, follow this link.
In this report, Sergeant Trimble discusses the work of the Hospital, as well as the holidays and illnesses among the staff. He discloses the number of cases admitted to the Hospital over a period of time, and the operating costs incurred during his tenure. He hopes to be able to utilize his connections with his home Division of St John Ambulance to help supplement the running costs, if he is given permission to do so.
PAGE 1
Army Post Office, S. 11,
British Expeditionary Force,
France.
8.11.16.
My Lord,
The following statement covers the period Nov.
1st. to Nov. 7th. The work of the Hospital has been
rather quiet.
Convoys have been received as under :-
Stretchers. Walkers.
Wednesday 1st. 22. A.T. 40. —
Thursday. 2nd. 16. “ 36. —
Monday 6th. 28. “ 44. —
Tuesday 7th. 12. “ 40. 43.
160 43
Making a total admitted during the week of 203. There
were discharged during the same period 221 and 8 deaths.
There have been no visitors of importance to the
Hospital during the week.
Captain Taylor went on leave to England from the
3rd. to the 17th. inst. For two or three weeks previous he
had not been very well and I hope his leave will restore
him.
PAGE 2
2.
Sister Gervine returned from the Sick Sisters Hos-
pital on the 5th. inst. and on the same day V.A.D. Nurses
Trimble and Collett left the Hospital for Boulogne to
proceed to England on leave on Monday the 6th. Owing to
the rough weather which prevailed no boat left on Monday
for England and when they got across I do not quite know.
V.A.D. Nurses Tate and Walton returned from leave on this
same date as did also Sister Bemrose.
On the 7th. inst. Sisters Bedford, Smith and Emsley
went on leave to England.
I regret to have to report that I have Major Hope,
Lieut. Jackson and Lieut. Henry ill. They appear to have
contracted a rather severe form of Influenza that is pre-
vailing here at the present time. I admitted them into
the Officers Ward of this Hospital with the sanction of
the D.D.M.S. Lieut. Jackson is now convalescent and
Major Hope is better but Mr. Henry I am sorry to say is
still rather ill.
On Saturday the 4th. I had a communication from the
D.D.M.S. office asking me to deal with the daily medical
sick from the No. 1. Training Camp. I at once agreed I would
detail an M.O. to lend this assistance. On the same date
I was asked by Major Tate, Senior Sanitary Officer to inst-
PAGE 3
3.
ruct Captain McCloy to take full charge of the Mortuary
during the illness of Captain Ridgway who has Military
Command there. This duty Captain McCloy readily under-
took. I am always glad to oblige the D.D.M.S
in any way I can as he is always most courteous and good
when this Hospital wants his assistance.
I sent to the Chief Secretary of the St. John
Ambulance Association two days ago a copy of the research
Work done by Captain Crymble, Major Houston and Captain
McCloy and no doubt Major Prichard will have drawn your
attention to their work. It is exceedingly gratifying to
know that all this new ground in research has been opened
up while these Officers were serving in the St. John Amb.
Brigade Hospital.
I am enclosing you a statement of the Admissions
and Discharges since the Hospital opened, I think the fig-
ures are rather interesting. You will notice that in July,
August, September and October 5,202. cases were admitted,
whereas from the date of opening to June the 30th. 6,545
cases were dealt with. The contrast in the work done in
the four months and during the ten months is very marked.
In giving you these figures will you allow me to say that
they are for your private information. The Joint Committee
PAGE 4
4.
have asked me for a numerical statement which I have
always refused as I am not allowed to give any such infor-
mation for publication.
I am also sending you a memorandum
dealing with Finance. This statement goes to show what has been
done with the Extra Messing Allowance of 1/- per head per
day, and to put it roughly the conclusion to be arrived at
is that the Messing Allowance apportioned for the six months
which amounted to £6976. has met the requirements it was
given for and provided for the expenditure on the follow-
ing heads- Laundry, Repairs, Coal, Coke, Methy. Spirit,
Paraffin etc. for a period of fifteen months leaving a
surplus of £2594. which sum will provide for the expenditure
on the same lines for about 7 ½ months.
Some days ago I had a notice that in all
probability I would not be able to get X-Ray material at
the Base Depot if I delayed ordering, so I at once produced
practically four months supply. This will put up my monthly
expenditure about £100. But I believe it will save a good
deal of trouble in the future.
There is one point I would like to consult
you about and it is this – The contracts with our Medical
Officers will terminate in January. Shall I be in a position
PAGE 5
5.
to offer a six months contract to any and all M.O.’s who
desire such length of service. I ask this question having
regard to the funds at the disposal of the Hospital, person-
ally I have little doubt that there will be ample money to
carry on for much longer than six months after January, but
I have not heard as to the success in any effort that may
have been made in the direction of procuring funds for the
Hospital. I feel confident that I personally could get
a considerable amount of money in my own Ambulance District
and I am only waiting to be told that I may organize an
effort in this direction. I am sorry to introduce this
personal matter in an official report, will you pardon me.
I have every reason to believe that the
Hospital is working quite smoothly and efficiently owing to
the assistance I receive from those working with me.
I have the honour to be,
Your Lordships
Obedient Servant,
Charles J. Trimble
The Director,
St. John’s Gate,
E.C.
P.S. I have to report that Lieut
Matthews has just arrived at
the Hospital as this goes to post.
