War Diary

War Diary

known 2nd June 1918

Received a telegram of sympathy from Queen Alexandra. With Miss Ridley, Principal Matron of the Canadians, I called upon General Friend, DMS Claims and Hirings and ascertained whether a house and office were available at Paris Plage or Le Touquet. We were received with great courtesy, and told that he would help as far as possible, the selection of houses would be very small, but he would send his officer with me. I then called at the Base Commandants, to ask permission to establish an office in this Area. After lunch I went with the Rent Officer, Mr. Carr, to inspect several houses, two of which seemed suitable in every respect, and I undertook to ask officially for them on return to Headquarters.I returned to the DDMS office and reported what had been done and learnt it had been decided to evacuate all the hospitals in the Etaples Area and the DMS General Carr had just been to the office to give them this information. The situation in Etaples is as follows:- The St. John’s Ambulance Brigade Hospital, No.1 Canadian General Hospital, the Liverpool Merchants’ Hospital and 56 General Hospital closed. They were evacuating all patients as quickly as possible and all the fractured femurs (over 400) were being sent to England. No.7 Canadian General Hospital was taking local sick, Nos.24 and 26 General Hospitals were going to take a few patients, all local, and 46 Stationary Hospital would continue to take infectious cases from this Area. At Camiers all the hospitals were going to remain as they were. The St. John Brigade Hospital and No.1 Canadian General were to be the first two to move to another Area, when the position had been decided. I went on to No.20 General Hospital where I saw General Carr and told him what I had been able to do. Afterwards I had tea in the Mess where I met a great many of the Nursing Staff as well as many of the Medical Officers. On my way back I visited No.1 Canadian General Hospital where I saw the Matron, who showed me the damage which had been done the night before. Some huts were slightly damaged, and the whole of the enormous hospital kitchen entirely wrecked. Then I went to 7 Canadian General Hospital where I saw the Matron, Miss Willoughby. She, with one of the Officers, showed me the dug-outs which were being made for the Nursing Staff. Then to 56 General Hospital, where I saw the OC Col. Bush and the Matron, Miss Smith TFNS and where I learnt that both the Operating Theatre and the X-ray room had been absolutely destroyed. Fortunately the casualties were small in comparison with the damage done, in consequence of there having just been an evacuation, and a great many patients had been able to seek shelter in the trenches. For the safety of the Staff it had been arranged that all the day duty people should be taken into the Forest for the night until the “all-clear” sounded, when they returned to their own Units. This was to be continued until proper cover had been provided in the way of trenches and dug-outs in each Unit.

Created by: , Peter34996

  • Profile picture for James William Cutler

    Born 1892

    Died 1918

    Canadian Expeditionary Force 145844

    Canadian Expeditionary Force 145844 Private Canadian Army Medical Corps