Description
Object description
4 excellent ms diaries (263pp including sketches) written during his service as a medical officer with the RAMC briefly in Egypt, August - September 1914, but mainly as the Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Services (DADMS) to the Cavalry Corps on the Western Front, October 1914 - August 1918, describing his journey to France via Gibraltar and the United Kingdom in which he refers to war rumours, the initial confusion surrounding his movement orders, a case of neurasthenia (October 1914) and other casualties, then his arrival in France where he describes his duties as a medical officer, the keenness of New Army recruits, the Belgian landscape including the condition of Ypres before April 1915, the medical treatment of civilians by the RAMC, German atrocities, a Zeppelin raid, a superb description of the first German gas attack (21-22 April 1915) and treatments which were developed during the 2nd Battle of Ypres, his high opinion of Canadian soldiers, reports of spies, and very detailed notes on general sanitary conditions including comments on the water supply, plans for the provision of medical units and sanitary areas, the washing of socks and treatment for scabies. Also held with the collection are a map of the area around Lens, his Mention in Despatches certificate (1p, 7 November 1917), 48 personal photographs and 53 photographic negatives.
Content description
4 excellent ms diaries (263pp including sketches) written during his service as a medical officer with the RAMC briefly in Egypt, August - September 1914, but mainly as the Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Services (DADMS) to the Cavalry Corps on the Western Front, October 1914 - August 1918, describing his journey to France via Gibraltar and the United Kingdom in which he refers to war rumours, the initial confusion surrounding his movement orders, a case of neurasthenia (October 1914) and other casualties, then his arrival in France where he describes his duties as a medical officer, the keenness of New Army recruits, the Belgian landscape including the condition of Ypres before April 1915, the medical treatment of civilians by the RAMC, German atrocities, a Zeppelin raid, a superb description of the first German gas attack (21-22 April 1915) and treatments which were developed during the 2nd Battle of Ypres, his high opinion of Canadian soldiers, reports of spies, and very detailed notes on general sanitary conditions including comments on the water supply, plans for the provision of medical units and sanitary areas, the washing of socks and treatment for scabies. Also held with the collection are a map of the area around Lens, his Mention in Despatches certificate (1p, 7 November 1917), 48 personal photographs and 53 photographic negatives.
History note
Cataloguer KB
History note
Catalogue date 2002-01-04