Letter to Rev. R.M. Laporte Payne Oct 25 1916

Headed notepaper William Geyton, Sign & Glass Writer, Ballards Lane Church End, Finchley, London N.

Oct 25 1916

Rev W. La Porte Payne

Sir,

Allow me on behalf of the Committee of the war savings association & myself of most heartily thanking you for your kind & generous assistance in helping us to form an amalgamated war savings assn with which we shall doubtless do good work. The Committee have not instructed me to write this letter, although they have expressed the sentiments contained here in, but I shall read a copy of this letter at the committee meeting on Friday, and I am certain that they will indorse my action in writing.

I am

Your very obedient

William Geyton

Christchurch Vicarage

North Finchley.

SECRET.

MEDICAL ARRANGEMENTS 3^rd DIVISION

22^nd October, 1916.

Reference Map 57D.

In the event of active operations on a large scale on the front at present held by the 3^rd Division the following medical arrangements will come into force.

1. Collecting Posts will be established by Bearer Subdivisions of Field Ambulances in OBSERVATION WOOD (K.28.b.3.3.) and in FLAG AVENUE (K.34.c.3.8.) and through these points casualties will be evacuated by means of the existing trolley lines to the Advanced Dressing Station near EUSTON DUMP about K.33.a.3.1.       Thence by ambulance cars to Advanced Dressing Station COLINCAMPS (K.25.c.2.7.) and then to 3^rd Division Main Dressing Station at FORCEVILLE (P.21.C.8.7.).
2. Wounded able to walk will be directed from left via OBSERVATION WOOD down CENTRAL AVENUE, and on right from FLAG AVENUE via SACKVILLE STREET and NEWGATE STREET, to EUSTON Advanced Dressing Station.       Thence they will walk by marked track to 3^rd Division Collecting Post for Walking Wounded at J.29.c.8.2. on COURCELLES – BERTRANCOURT Road.
3. As the action progresses Field Ambulance Bearer Divisions will advance and form New Collecting Posts under orders of Officers Commanding Bearer Divisions who will make every endeavour to keep touch with Regimental Medical Establishments and continue to evacuate casualties received by them. R.A.M.C. Officers in medical charge of units will notify nearest O.C. Bearer Division the position of their Regimental Aid Posts from time to time.
4. Reserves of stretchers, water and dressings have been formed in OBSERVATION WOOD and FLAG AVENUE which may be drawn upon by units when necessary.
5. All messages for assistance from units during the action will be sent to O.C. Advanced Dressing Station, EUSTON.       These should be in writing and state time when sent and exact location and approximate numbers of casualties awaiting evacuation should be stated.

1. Ensor

Colonel,

A.D.M.S. 3^rd Division

Copies to all Brigades and Units.

Memo

SECRET

N 222

O.C. 7, 8, 142 Fd. Amb.

Herewith,

1. Medical Arrangements 3^rd Div together with Appendix (2) and supply of blank pro forma for use in the event of numbers of other divisions being admitted.

2. Short Scheme (2 copies) of Medical Arrangements issued to units etc.

Please acknowledge.

H.Q. 3^rd Div.

22/10/16

Unreadable Capt.

D.A.D.M.S. for

A.D.M.S. 3^rd Div

SECRET

3^rd Division Medical Arrangements for Active

Operations on a large scale.

Reference Map 57 D.

1. Medical arrangements, 3^rd Division, issued October 13^th 1916 are cancelled, and the following substituted.
2. Collecting Posts etc.

Collecting Posts for wounded have been established in Dug-Outs in OBSERVATION WOOD and FLAG AVENUE.  To these places, during active operations, stretcher cases will be carried and evacuated by means of the existing Trolley Lines to the Advanced Dressing Station near EUSTON DUMP (K.33.a.3.1.).  From this place they will be taken by Motor Ambulance Cars of the 3^rd Division to the Dressing Station of No 8 Field Ambulance at FORCEVILLE via COLINCAMPS – COURCELLES – BERTRANCOURT.

No. 8 Field Ambulance will form the Main Dressing Station of the 3^rd Division, and to it all wounded will be sent until orders to the contrary are received from D.D.M.S. V Corps, when they will be diverted to the Dressing Stations of Nos 7 and 142 Field Amblce at LOUVENCOURT and BUS-LES-ARTOIS.

Dumps of Stretchers, Medical Stores, Tins of Water, etc., have been formed at OBSERVATION WOOD and the place where the Southern Trolley Line meets SACKVILLE STREET Trench.

Each of these Dumps contain 100 Stretchers and 50 additional Stretchers will be kept in reserve at EUSTON Advanced Dressing Station and 20 in the Advanced Dressing Station at COLINCAMPS.

At the beginning of the action, two Bearer Sub-Divisions of No. 142 Field Ambulance will be posted as follows:-

One Bearer Sub-Division at OBSERVATION WOOD.

“          “                      FLAG AVENUE.

After the enemy’s front and support lines have been carried, these Bearer Sub-Divisions will advance to our original front line in the neighbourhood of MARK COPSE & to where BLENEAU Trench enters ROB ROY Trench respectively, and form Bearer Collecting Posts in selected Dug-Outs vacated by Regimental Medical Establishments.  The third Bearer Sub-Division of No. 142 Field Ambulance will march from EUSTON at Zero hour to form a Collecting Post near MATHEW WOOD.

From these places the Bearer Sub-Divisions will collect wounded, take them to OBSERVATION WOOD and SACKVILLE STREET Trench for evacuation by the Trolley Lines, and Officers Commanding will make every endeavour to keep in touch with the Regimental Aid Posts.

Later the Bearer Sub-Divisions of No. 142 Field Ambulance will advance into the enemy’s front and support line and form Collecting Posts there.

The positions evacuated by them in our original front line will be occupied by Bearer Sub-Divisions of No. 8 Field Ambulance which will take over cases brought to them by Bearers of No.142 Field Ambulance, and carry them to the Trolley Lines.

Officers Commanding Bearer Sub-Divisions will use their own initiative as to when they are to advance, but it must be distinctly understood that the advancing Infantry must be followed up, and touch established with Regimental Aid Posts.

An important objective of the R.A.M.C. of the 3^rd Division will be the ultimate establishment of an Advanced Dressing Station in SERRE.

1. Divisional Walking Wounded Collecting Station.

This will be established in Shelters and Tents on the COURCELLES-BERTRANCOURT Road at J.29.c.8.2. by a Tent Sub-Division of No.8 Field Ambulance supplemented by the R.A.M.C. Officers from the 3^rd Divisional Train and Divisional Ammunition Column.

All walking wounded (i.e. slight cases) will be directed to this place from the Collecting Posts at OBSERVATION WOOD and FLAG AVENUE via CENTRAL AVENUE and SACKVILLE STREET Trench and NEWGATE Street.

The route to be followed by walking wounded will be indicated by directing flags.

On arrival at the Collecting Station the wounded will be dressed, fed, have their “particulars” taken, anti-tetanic serum injected, and be finally evacuated to a Casualty Clearing Station near WARLINCOURT (C6) by a Motor Ambulance Convoy detailed for the purpose by D.D.M.S. V. Corps.

The three horsed Ambulance Wagons of No. 8 Field Ambulance will be employed in meeting these men in the EUSTON-COLINCAMPS Road and bringing them into the Collecting Station.

O.C. No. 8 Field Ambulance will arrange for spare teams to be available for these Ambulance Wagons.

Shell Shock Cases.

No cases of alleged Shell Shock will, unless they are suffering from organic lesions or physical symptoms of concussion, be sent to the Casualty Clearing Station near WARLINCOURT.

If, in the opinion of O.C. Divisional Walking Wounded Collecting Station, they are fit for duty they will be handed over to the Military Police for return to their units. If the cases are slight but are genuine cases of Shell Shock they will be sent to No. 142 Field Ambulance at BUS-LES-ARTOIS.

The A.P.M. 3^rd Division will arrange for Military Police to be stationed at the Divisional Walking Wounded Collecting Station.

1. Motor Ambulance Cars.

The Motor Ambulance Cars of the Divisional Field Ambulances, with the exception of one Ford Car of each Field Ambulance, will be formed into a Convoy at FORCEVILLE and will come under the orders of an Officer to be detailed by O.C. No. 8 Field Ambulance. This Officer will arrange details with regard to the rationing and reliefs of Drivers etc.

Three Ford Cars will be detailed for duty at the Advanced Dressing Station at COLINCAMPS and as far as may be possible 2 large Cars should always be available at this place for the evacuation of wounded from EUSTON DUMP and Advance Dressing Station.

The Officer detailed by O.C. No. 8 Field Ambulance will also arrange to form a “Cab Rank” of seven large Motor Ambulance Cars on the line of evacuation between BERTRANCOURT and FORCEVILLE at P.9.c.3.6.

As a loaded car passes the “Cab Rank” the leading car in the rank will proceed to the Advanced Dressing Station at COLINCAMPS for instructions.

Empty Cars returning from No. 8 Field Ambulance Dressing Station at FORCEVILLE will return to the “Cab Rank” by the same road.

The Motor Ambulance Workshop Unit is stationed at BUS-LES-ARTOIS and the O.C. will arrange for the repair of broken down cars, and the salving of those damaged by shell fire.

5. The Horsed Ambulance Wagons of No. 7 Field Ambulance will be parked with those of No. 142 Field Ambulance at BUS-LES-ARTIOS and kept in readiness for use.

Officers Commanding No. 7 and 142 Field Ambulances will arrange for spare teams for these wagons to be available.

6. Cases of penetrating wounds of head, chest, and abdomen, likely to be benefited by immediate operation, are to be sent to the Special Hospital at AUTHIE (I.16.a.). See para 2 of attached Appendix.

7. During active operations on a large scale the A.D.M.S. or D.A.D.M.S. will be at the Advanced Dressing Station at EUSTON, and Officers Commanding Bearer Sub-Divisions will inform him from time to time by means of men employed in taking wounded in Trolleys to EUSTON DUMP of the progress of the action and of the approximate number of wounded awaiting removal.

All messages, however, even if intended for A.D.M.S. are to be addressed to O.C. EUSTON Advanced Dressing Station.

1. Ensor

Colonel

A.D.M.S. 3^rd Division

22^nd October 1916

Copies to: – D.D.M.S. V. Corps; 3^rd Division G & Q, O.C. 7^th Fd. Amb; O.C. 8^th Fd Amb; O.C. 142 Fd Amb; Office.

Memo sheet

SECRET

N220
O.C. 7, 8, 142 Field Ambulance.

Herewith a draft of the orders it is proposed to issue for the projected operations.

All necessary arrangements should be made as if the orders had actually been issued.

There will be a conference in my office at 5.30 p.m. 23/10/16. please attend at that hour accompanied by the O.C. your bearer S-division.

Please acknowledge

H.Q. 3rd Div.
22/10/16
H. Ensor
Colonel
A.D.M.S. 3rd Div

Draft
Secret

R.A.M.C. Operation Order No
by
Colonel H. ENSOR D.S.O. commanding R.A.M.C. 3rd Division.
Map Reference Sheet 57D

I. The 3rd Division will attack the enemy on Z day at Zero hour.

II. (a). The O.C. No 142 Field Ambulance will send one bearer sub division to OBSERVATION WOOD and one bearer sub division to FLAG AVENUE, both sub divisions to be in position by October. Accommodation in trenches has been reserved for these subdivisions by G.Os.C. 8th & 9th Inftry Brigades.
The Os. C. these two bearer sub divisions will detail men to work the trolley lines to EUSTON Dumps and to collect wounded from the Regimental Aid Posts and after the enemys’ front and support line has been carried they will advance and form Collecting Posts near MARK COPSE and near point of junctions of BLENAU trench with ROB ROY trench.
The third bearer sub division of No. 142 Field Ambulance will be at EUSTON Advanced Dressing Station ready to advance at Zero hour to form a Collecting Station near MATHEW COPSE.

(b). No. 5 A Sanitary Section will be at EUSTON Advanced Dressing Station by October. O.C. No 5 A Sanitary Section will detail 10 men to proceed to OBSERVATION WOOD and 10 men to proceed to trolley line at SACKVILLE STREET trench at Zero hour. These men will be employed in reinforcing the parties already engaged in the removal of wounded by trolley line to EUSTON Dump.

(c). O.C. No. 8 Field Ambulance will detail one bearer sub division to be at COLINCAMPS Advanced Dressing Station by October. This bearer sub division will proceed to EUSTON Advanced Dressing Station at Zero hour.
The other two bearer sub divisions will proceed to the Walking Wounded Collecting Post arriving there after sunset on October and will move to Advanced Dressing Station at COLINCCAMPS at Zero hour.

(d). O.C. No 7 Field Ambulance will detail 1 Officer, 2 N.C.Os and 6 men from one of his tent sub divisions to take over charge of the EUSTON Advanced Dressing Station. Dressing Station to be taken over by October.
The bearer division of No. 7 Field Ambulance will be in reserve at Dressing Station of No. 142 Field Ambulance at BUS-les-ARTOIS by October.

(e). O.C. No. 142 Field Ambulance will detail 4 privates from his tent division to report to O.C. Walking Wounded Collecting Post at J.29.c.8.2. for duty in dressing wounded by October.

(f). R.A.M.C. personnel not mentioned above will remain in their present positions.

III. The 3rd Division Band will report to O.C. Advanced Dressing Station COLINCAMPS for duty by Zero hour.

IV. R.A.M.C. units may make use of the shelters in the Walking Wounded Collecting Station as bivouacs for their men on the night of October if convenient for them to do so.

V. A copy of Medical Arrangements of the 3rd Division has been issued to Os.C. Field Ambulances for information of all concerned.

VI. Advanced Headquarters of A.D.M.S. will be at EUSTON Advance Dressing Station at Zero hour. Office of A.D.M.S. will remain at 3rd Division Headquarters at BUS-les-ARTOIS

H. Ensor
Col
A.D.M.S. 3rd Division.

Letter to Rev. R.M. Laporte Payne 18 October 1916

Royal Naval Barracks

Government crested notepaper

Leslie Boyce No 2686

N 15 Mess E Block,

Royal Naval b.

Devonport

18.10.16

Dear Sir,

I would have written to you before but I have not had any stamps.

I arrived here after a long journey of 7 hours. Last Friday I went to see the Chaplain and I believe he is going to write to you.  Last Sunday I went to Holy Communion after the preparation on the Saturday night.

I am just settling down more and am beginning to like it very much.   I have started my 12 weeks coarse{sic} of seamanship and it is very interesting I wrote to Mr. Mannering & Mrs. Dawson and am expecting a reply.

The little Bible that you gave me I have found a great help & I read it every night now without fail. Every morning we have the morning prayer out of the Prayer Book with all the boys & Officers drawn up.  We all have the battle hymn “Holy Father in Thy Mercy” & it reminds me of Christ Church.  Hoping you will reply

From Yours Truly

Leslie Boyce

Kind regards to all the family.

Letter to Rev. R.M. Laporte Payne 18 October 1916

On A.S.C. crested notepaper.

Pte J. Plumb

K Supply Coy

A.S.C. 216949

No 2 Camp

Thornhill

Aldershot

18/10/16

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your kind letter, you will be interested to know, I am on draft for France & may have to go any minute or it may be weeks, I hope to see Finchley first, & should be glad if you would pray that I might.  I am getting on as well as can be expected I think.  As my stay is so uncertain here & the room so limited I had rather not have any parcel sent me, there is 10 of us in a bell tent about 16 feet across the floor, there are swarms of soldiers here.  Please remember me to all at the Vicarage & those who are interested in me, I have got my full equipment for France.  I remain yours gratefully & sincerely J. Plumb.

No 27521

St Andrews Hospital

Penrith

Cumberland

Oct 17^th 16

Dear Father

Many thanks for your letter, note paper, also newspaper just received.

I am glad to say I am getting on fine.  We had a grand time last Friday went for a motor drive to the Matron’s house at Ulleswater saw the lake; the scenery was grand I shall have to tell you about it when I see you.  We had the best of everything to eat two servants to wait on us swank I can tell you & after tea we had a whist drive I got third prize.  There was also another whist drive in the ward on Saturday so you see we manage to enjoy ourselves alright.

I had a letter from my friend in France he has got the things that belong to me & he said he would endeavour to send them on I gave him your address in case I had left here so you will know if a parcel comes.  It is very difficult to send parcels especially views so he may not be able to do it.  You might let me know the cost of postage if it does come.

I am afraid I look too well to stay here much longer, although some of the men are being sent to convalescent homes for a month or six weeks.  I shall be very pleased to come home & see you one gets rather tired of doing nothing every day; but I mean to keep convalescent as long as possible you can see it is a policy to do so.  the food is jolly good & plenty of it.

I am glad you enjoyed yourself at Southend.

What sort of weather are you getting it is very wet here.

I have not very much news to tell you this time so I think I must finish now.

I hope you are all well

With much love

From your devoted

Son

P.S. Have you heard from Ciss yet.  I should like to see her when I come home.

11.10.16

Dear Mar & Pa

I received Gladys letter OK a few days ago.  Gladys seems to be having a good time of it.  You must excuse me for not writing lately as I haven’t been in the same place five mins together anyhow I am writing this in a spot John Alleman occupied not so long ago so I suppose there’s some hopes of staying hereabouts for a while.  The weather has been awful lately.  I developed a nasty cold about a week ago.  Glad to say I’m practically OK again except that my teeth have been troubling me a bit.  Today has been lovely & a lovely moon shines over the valley it is almost like day.  Hope we get a spell of this weather and then we shall be able to get a move on.  Well I don’t think there’s anything further to say.  Hoping you are all well.  A few cakes won’t be amiss in this spot along with that Trench Powder.  If it isn’t too much trouble as I am miles from anywhere.  The only things here are bits of trees & myriads of shell holes.  Remember me to all enquiring friends.  Will drop you pcs if unable to find time to write.

Yours with love Bergy

A drop of cough mixture from Turners underbank would do me good these cold nights.

Pte. A. Smith

No 27521

St Andrews Hospital

Penrith

Cumberland

Oct 6^th 16

Dear Father

Many thanks for your letter, & paper.  I was very pleased to hear from you

& to know that you are well.

It must have been a grand sight to see that airship in flames. I had a letter from Ethel she said that you were asleep at the time.  They seem very sharp in the north of London to bring down two I guess they will think twice before they come over that way again.

I am pleased to say I am much better in fact feeling alright although still in bed am getting rather tired of it but still I am not doing any grumbling it is a treat to be in good old England instead of on the other side of the water.

I expect you received that postcard I don’t know exactly what it said but it is nothing only an official idea that everybody has to send.

I had a letter from Ciss this morning & was very surprised to hear that she was leaving Farnham. I expect you know that Charlie has left again I should think she would be better off without him.

Well I think I have come to the end of the news at present there is not very much to tell you.

I hope you will have a good time at Southend remember me to Mr & Mrs Jones I received their letter & will answer it very soon.

I guess you will be pleased to hear that Albert is exempt from the army.

I hope you are all well

With much love

From your devoted

Son

Pte. A. Smith

No 27521

St Andrews Hospital

Penrith

Cumberland

Oct 4^th 16

My Dear Affie,

Your letter contained such good news I had to answer it at once.

Fancy dear old Albert getting an exemption ‘By Jove’ it is just fine I can quite understand how you both felt I bet when you heard him coming up stairs you were anxious to know & yet afraid to ask; but you know how glad I am it is all settled it is a great trouble off your minds.

I certainly expect to get to dear old Southend & see you all soon I believe after convalescence one is entitled to ten days at home.  When I wrote to you before I thought perhaps this was like the hospitals in France only keep you for a few days but it is very different here they will not let you go until you are quite better we receive every comfort & attention.  I am not yet allowed to have meat, cake, or fruit yet but I have plenty of good fish, eggs & milk puddings very much nicer to what one gets in France.

How is Ansell?  I expect about the same.  It is a bit rough when you get a boy that falls in the cigarettes I thought you were going to say that he used to sneak them they do get up to some tricks.

I had a letter from Father yesterday he said he was coming to see you this week I know he will be pleased to hear all the good news.  I believe the weather has been very wet here lately although I have not seen it but that does not count very much with you now.

I was surprised to hear that you have a man after all this time but he must be a great help to you both I am very pleased that he suits you.  Talking about him swearing it reminds me of the old chap Gibbs we had at Glasshouse St when he was annoyed he used to say ‘Toots Toots’ of course that might have meant something very bad in Scotch as he was a Scotchman.

I am glad Joy is quite well.  I expect she knows plenty of songs now.  I can’t send her any more silk cards.  I should think that is a good name for her I know she used to like to help her Mother.

I am going to have a try for Home Service or the RA.M.C. as soon as I am better.

Well I think I have told you everything this time.

I hope you are all well & that there is plenty more good luck in store for you.

With much love & kisses

From your devoted

Brother