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In this weekly report of 1st September 1915, Chief Commissioner Clark confirms that the Hospital at Étaples will be opened on the 6th of September, with the exception of the X-ray department, which remains uncompleted. There is also news that the Sisters have arrived safely in France and they are treated to lunch at the Hotel Christol by Commissioner Sir Arthur Lawley before boarding motor buses to Étaples.
This report also largely focuses on the requests of the ‘Finance & General Purposes Committee’, which instruct Chief Commissioner Clark to speak with Sir Arthur Lawley about the keeping of accounts and appear to require a record of grants made to the Hospital.
Interestingly, a short handwritten note, by Chief Commissioner Clark, at the end of the report reflects on the morale of the personnel and states that ‘everyone appears to be happy’.
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Page One
St John Ambulance Brigade Hospital,
Army Post Office S. 11,
British Expeditionary Force,
France.
1/9/15.
The Director,
The Ambulance Department,
The Order of St. John of Jerusalem
in England.
My Lord,
I received your telegram this morning and proceeded to
Boulogne to see that proper arrangements had been made for the
transport of the sisters arriving to Etaples.
I found that the Commissioner, Sir Arthur Lawley, had
arranged for their lunch at the Hotel Christol on landing, and
closed motor buses for their transport to Etaples, and lorries
for their luggage after lunch. They have all arrived safely
at the hospital. Similar arrangements will be made for each
batch as they arrive on Friday and Monday.
With the exception of the X-Ray Department the hospital
is ready to receive patients and will be open on Monday the
6th inst.
I received a letter from Mr. Edwards in which he informs
me that the Finance & General Purposes Committee wish me to see
Sir Arthur Lawley with reference to the keeping of accounts.
I was unable to do so today, and Sir Arthur Lawley proceeded
to England this afternoon. On his return I will call on him
for this purpose. Meanwhile I shall be obliged if the specimen
accounts mentioned in Mr. Edwards letter may be forwarded to me,
as I have at present no knowledge of what is proposed.
Certain grants made to the hospital by individuals or individual
bodies, were ear-marked for special purposes and cannot be other-
wise expended.
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(2)
For example the Country Antrim made a special grant of
some £900 for the building and fitting up of the Research
Laboratory and for carrying on its work, and there are other
instances.
I have the honour to be
Your Lordships
Obedient servant,
James Clark
The health of the personnel
is excellent and every one
appears to be happy and
contented
Clark
