8th September, 1915

‘I have the honour to report that the Hospital opened for the reception of patients on Monday last the 6th. inst.’ – Chief Commissioner James R. A. Clark, 8th September 1915.

This week marks the 100th anniversary of the opening of The Order of St John Voluntary Hospital in Étaples, France. In his weekly report, Chief commissioner Clark describes the arrival of the first convoy of 57 patients, who were handled in an ‘entirely satisfactory’ manner. He observes how they were washed, clothed and fed hot soup and bread.

However, much of this week’s report continues to focus on finance. It was decided that the scheme proposed by the Finance and General Purposes Committee was insufficient as it was impossible to keep receipts and expenditure running through a single account. Although it was done this way in voluntary auxiliary Hospitals in England, it could not be the case in France because only running expenses were dealt with on site. In addition, the local tradespeople could not be made to furnish the Hospital with weekly accounts. Instead, Sir Lawley and Chief Commissioner Clark proposed that the Hospital, along with the Netley Hospital of the British Red Cross, should be run respectively under the control of The Order of St John and of the British Red Cross Society.

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Page One

First page of report

St John Ambulance Brigade Hospital,

Army Post Office S. 11,

British Expeditionary Force,

France.

8/9/15.

The Director,

The Ambulance Department,

The Order of St. John of Jerusalem

in England.

My Lord,

I have the honour to report that the hospital opened

for the reception of patients on Monday last the 6^th inst.

The first convoy was received at 11.30 p.m. on Tuesday

the 7^th inst. The manner in which they were handled was

entirely satisfactory, the convoy of 57 being taken in, washed

and clothed, and fed with hot soup and bread by 1.30 a.m.

The final batch of Sisters and Nurses arrived safely

on Sunday 5^th inst.

I called on Sir Arthur Lawley by appointment yesterday

as requested by the Finance and General Purposes Committee to

consider the scheme of account keeping as forwarded by Mr. Edwards.

Sir Arthur was somewhat at a loss to understand exactly what was

required as he had not been notified from Head Quarters of the

purport of our proposed interview, and I am afraid I was not able

to give him any clear light on the matter.

It appeared to us that the pro forma scheme received

was inappropriate for the Brigade Hospital. The scheme is for

a hospital working at home the whole of whose receipts and expend-

iture pass through one account and can be dealt with as one whole.

In the matter of the Brigade Hospital the gross receipts

and expenditure are dealt with at home and it is only the actual

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Page Two

Second page of report

running expenses that are dealt with here in France where the

hospital is situated. It is what one might almost call Petty

Cash Account – for domestic purposes to be embodied in the

general account kept at home.

It is practically impossible to render this account weekly

not because it will require extra help, but because it is imposs-

ible to obtain weekly accounts from the tradespeople with whom

we deal.

It appears to me that our accounts which we are submitting

to you today, are kept as shown in section B.1. (with the pencilled

exception) of the enclosed scheme and that this is the only section

that we can deal with as I am informed that it is not deemed

advisable on Military grounds to give the information called for

under section G.

A carbon copy of the account is forwarded with the

original for transmission to 83, Pall Mall if the Order still

desire that this should be done.

In talking the matter over with Sir Arthur Lawley he

stated that his impression as regards the relations between the

St. John Brigade Hospital of the Order, the Netley Hospital of

the British Red Cross Society and the Joint Committee was the

same as my own, namely, that these hospitals were to be under the

sole and undivided control of the Order and the British Red Cross Society respectively.

I enclose statement of the expenditure on behalf of the hospital in france herewith.

I have the honour to be,

Your Lordships

Obedient servant,

James Clark

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Third page of report

Army Post Office S.11,

British Expeditionary Force,

France.

8/9/15.

Explanatory memorandum of Accounts of the St. John Ambulance Brigade Hospital, from July 27^th to August 31^st 1915.

———————————————-

It was intended that these accounts should be submitted

weekly but it has been found impossible to get the local trades-

people to send in their bills sufficiently promptly to enable

a clear statement to be made. The August statement has attached

to it a total of such accounts as are thought necessary. It will

be noted that the account of the Finance & General Purposes

Committee has been debited with the various allowances made by

them under date of their memorandum of June 12^th. The total

amount expended during the 35 days was Frs. 5286.65, of this

the two amounts of Officers Mess Frs. 1822.40 and Officers Wine

Account Frs 472.90 are collectable and will be paid off within

the next five or six days. The total amount therefore expended

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Page Four

Fourth page of report

Has been Frs. 3091.35.

In regard to the Pay Roll of Cooks and Chauffeur, it is

impossible to get silver in Etaples for amount and to prevent

comparison and discussion between them and the Orderlies who

are paid at the Government rates the same system has been adopted

as in the Army. Men are paid fortnightly at the Government rate

of exchange and can draw what they like up to the amount of their

due pay, but only in multiples of Five Frances.

Under the heading of General Messing come the amounts allowed

by the Committee up to 1/- per head per day for all inmates and

staff up to date costing less than half that amount.

James Clark

1st September, 1915

In this weekly report of 1st September 1915 Chief Commissioner Clark confirms that the Hospital at Étaples will be opened on the 6^th of September. Although, this is with the exception of the X-ray department which remained uncompleted. There is also news that the Sisters arrived safely in France and were treated to Lunch at the Hotel Christol by Commissioner Arthur Lawley before boarding motor buses to Étaples.

This report is also largely focused 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 record of grants made to the Hospital.

Interestingly, a short handwritten note, by Chief Commissioner Clarke, at the end of the report reflects on the moral of the personnel and states that ‘everyone appears to be happy’.

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Page One

First page of report

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

6^th 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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Second page of report

(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

25th August, 1915

With the Hospital at Étaples still driving towards completion, the weekly report of 25th August is concerned with the work that is left to be done on site. Chief Commissioner Clarke states that as far as casualties are concerned, there is no immediate urgency for the Hospital to be completed although they hope for it to be finished very soon. Due to this, he reports that the Matron says to refrain from sending the Sisters out, as there would be nothing for them to do. However, there are still problems with the ‘non-arrival of the Oil Engine and Dynamo’, which are required for the Operating Theatre and the X-ray, as well as delayed motor cars. The Ford Van would be arriving at the Hospital ‘any day now’ but the ‘Sunbeam’ had to be ‘patched up considerably’.

Lastly, Mr A. A. Gatty of Bannister Hall presented the Hospital with a much-needed Cyclostyle, a device for copying handwriting on to paper by means of a stencil.

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Page One

First page of report

St. John Ambulance Brigade Hospital

Army Post Office S. 11,

British Expeditionary Force,

France.

August 25^th., 1915.

The Director,

The Ambulance Department,

The Order of St. John of Jerusalem

in England.

My Lord,

Considerable progress is being made, the wards are nearly

all completed as to equipment and readiness to receive patients,

also the Nurses quarters, but we held up by the non arrival

of the Oil Engine and Dynamo and X-Ray and Operating Theatre work.

Captain Gordon who has been in London since Friday is endeavouring

to trace it and he has satisfied himself that it has not been

landed at Boulogne.

So far as the requirements of sick and wounded are concerned

there is no urgency for the completion of the hospital, but we are

naturally anxious to get everything completed and in working order

as soon as possible.

The Matron does not consider it advisable that the sisters

should come out just yet as there is nothing for them to do. I hope

in a week or ten days at most we shall be ready for them.

With regard to cars, we have now the “Sunbeam” –  an old car

which we have had to patch up considerably, the silencer blew out

and we had to make and fix a new one which we did ourselves. The

tyres were solid and non-skid and have had to be replaced.

Colonel Trimble is providing a Ford Van out of funds at his

disposal which may arrive any day now. This van is new and built

especially for the purpose for which we require it. I shall be

glad of the two seater runabout, a Ford will do but I trust it

will be in fair working order as cars have all to go to Boulogne

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Second page of report

(2)

for any serious repairs and become an undue expense to the

Hospital.

Hospital extras and Petrol and accessories for one car

have been granted to us free of charge, and I hope to get per-

mission to buy petrol from Army Stores for such other cars as

we may desire, the difference in price being 11d. a gallon as

against 2/7 if bought elsewhere.

We have made an arrangement with the Laundry mentioned in

a previous letter. It is the only Laundry capable of doing our

work and cannot be carried on without some outside assistance.

The proprietor proposed we should send two men out to live there

and give the assistance required but I was afraid this might lead

to troublesome complications and we have agreed to pay part of the

wages, 15/- a week, of a Frenchman to be engaged by the proprietor.

Up to the present we have not send any washing there as it has been

small in amount and could be taken by a small Laundry near by.

Mr. A. A. Gatty of Bannister Hall, Near Preston, Lancs has

presented the hospital with a Cyclostyle which was very urgently

required. I had indented on the Army Stores for one but was informed

we must procure it out of our own funds. It has arrived and is in

work.

I think that with the exception of the oil engine the whole

of our equipment has been received. All things considered it has

sustained extremely little damage, none to seriously incommode us.

The health of the whole personnel is excellent as we trust

this may find Your Lordship.

I have the honour to be,

Your Lordships

Obedient servant,

James Clark

11th August, 1915

The report from this week in 1915 begins, ‘I have not much to report at present except that good progress is being made.’ The Hospital obtained the loan of a lorry, which allowed equipment to be brought to site, but had to refuse the offer of a ‘motor x-ray ambulance car’ from Sir John C. Holder Bt., as sufficient x-ray equipment was already held.

Chief Commissioner Clark also notes that he has delayed posting the report, as he was waiting for the arrival of Miss Todd the Matron, the Assistant Matron Miss Chittock, and nurses, Misses Willis, MacMahon and Bertha Smith who arrived by motor car on the 11th August. However, the report mostly focuses on ‘a definite agreement’, drawn up by the War Office, concerning the rations given to the Red Cross and Voluntary Hospitals.

Finally, the Hospital receives a visit from Sir Arthur Lawley, who was made a Knight of Grace in 1917 and Knight of Justice in 1920 by the Order of St. John, and his wife Lady Lawley on Thursday afternoon, where upon they were offered tea in the Mess.

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Page One

First page of report

11/8/15

To The Director

The Ambulance Department,

The Order of St. John of Jerusalem

in England.

My Lord,

I have not much to report at present except that good

progress is being made.

We have obtained the loan of a lorry since Monday, through

the good offices of Sir. Arthur Lawley, which has enabled us to

collect a quantity of our equipment which was lying at Boulogne

and elsewhere.

I find that a definite agreement was drawn up as to the

treatment of Voluntary Hospitals in the matter of rations

between The British red Cross and the War Office Authorities

out here. I enclose a copy.

From this it will be seen that we shall have to pay for

light, fuel, water, petrol-except petrol for one car – and for

tyres.

Since this was drawn up it has been decided that electric

light and water shall be a free issue to Voluntary Hospitals.

In reading through a copy of my last letter to you I notice

in reference to the offer concerning the Mortuary it is written

“this offer has now been accepted” it should have been written

“has not been accepted”.

Miss Todd the Matron, The Assistant Matron Miss Chittock,

and the Misses Willis, MacMahon, and Bertha Smith, arrived safely

in Boulogne and were brought out here by motor car this evening.

I propose sending Captain Gordon home on the 20^th to see

to a few matters regarding the equipment of the Hospital.

I have received a letter from Commissioner, Colonel

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Page Two

Second page of report

Continuation 2.

Tyrrell, forwarding an offer from Sir John C. Holder Bt., of

a motor X-Ray Ambulance Car for use at the front. I am afraid

we have no use for it in connection with the hospital as we

have a complete X-Ray equipment already, but I have passed the

offer on to the Military Medical Authorities as it may be of

use on the Lines of Communication.

Sir Arthur and Lady Lawley paid a visit to the Hospital

on Thursday afternoon, I took them round and the appeared

much gratified by what they saw. We were able to offer them tea in

the Mess.

When the Matron has been able to look round I shall be better

able to state when the remaining Nurses should come out, but

probably within the next ten days.

I have the honour to be,

Your Lordships

Obedient servant,

James Clark.

Etaples. 11/8/15

P.S. I have delayed the posting of this letter so as to be able

to notify the arrival of the sisters as reported.

The touring car Sunbeam also arrived yesterday at Boulogne

but without head lights, tools or spare tyres. These are now

being fitted to it after which it will be brought to the Hospital

and the Metallurgique disposed of as requested by Lord Norreys

in his letter of the 9^th inst.

Clark

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Third page of report

WAR OFFICE London

London S.W.

7^th May 1915.

121/Medical/870

(Q.M.G.6)

Sir,

I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your

letter of the 17^th ultimo, No Q.M.690, and to acquaint

you in reply that your proposal that Red Cross Hospitals

situated in Camp Areas overseas should be supplied with

electric light and water at the public expense is approved,

in the circumstances represented.

I am

Sir

Your obedient Servant,

(Sgd) H.F.P. Percival, Lt,-Col.

for Major-General

Director of Supplies and Transport.

The Inspector General

of Communications,

British Army in the Field.

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Fourth page of report

COPY

A.D.M.S.

No. G. 10-15

Date 24/4/15. Etaples.

From

Field Marshal

J.D.P. French, G.C.B.., O.M., G.C.V.O., K.C.M.G..,

Commander –in-Chief,

British Expeditionary Force,

To

The Secretary,

War Office

——————————————————————————-

GENERAL HEADQUATERS.

28^th  January, 1915.

Sir,

The question of the amount of the assistance which

should be given to recognised Red Cross and Voluntary Aid

Hospitals is continually arising and it is very desirable

that some definite ruling should be arrived at immediately.

With this object in in view, I have had an agreement

drawn up with the Red Cross in accordance with the attached

statement so as to settle the relative financial

responsibility as regards hospital expenditure of the war

Office and the Red Cross in regard to these hospitals.

The question of the upkeep of Motor Ambulance has

already been arranged by a Routine Order No. 495 published

on 30^th December 1914, a copy of which is attached.

I therefore have the honour to request that I may

be informed if you approve of the arrangements made, and if

so, that your concurrence may be cabled to me.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient servant,

(Sgd) C.F.N. Macready,

Lieut-General,

For Field Marshal

British Commanding

Army in Field.

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Page Five

Fifth page of report

—COPY—

Q.K. 732.

AGREEMENT WITH THE COMMISSIONER, BRITISH RED CROSS

SOCIETY, ON THE 12^th. JANUARY, 1915.

—————————————————————-

To be provided by Red Cross and Voluntary Hospitals.	To be provided by the Army.
1.      Hospital Extras 2.      Hospital Equipment. 3.      Medical & Surgical Supplies 4.      Rent of Building. 5.      Feul and Light. Water. 6.      Motor Cars, Lorries and Ambulance Wagons 7.      Salaries and Wages. 8.      Hospital Staff Clothing	(Patients. 1.      Rations For (Personnel. 2.      Hospital Clothing 3.      Field Service Clothing for men on discharge 4.      Washing of Patients, petrol, and tyres, etc., as per War Office Agreement November 17th 1914. 5.      Railway Transport

4th August, 1915

The start of August saw the arrival of much anticipated supplies and materials. Whilst the construction of the Hospital was still ongoing, Chief Commissioner Clark addressed the urgent need for more vehicles, to carry out duties such as taking items to the laundry. He reports that they would like ‘a small 15-20 touring car and a light ford van, also a small two seated run-about Singer’ but that the cars they believed had been shipped to them have ‘not been heard of’.

There is also mention of the Hospital’s Matron and her sisters preparing themselves for the journey to France, with their expected arrival taking place on Wednesday 11th August 1915. Lastly, attached to the report is a copy of a letter received from a G. Toombs, who lists the cars that had been sent out to the Hospital in Étaples, as well as those that were still to be sent over from London.

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Page One

First page of report

To The Director

The Ambulance Department

The Order of St. John of Jerusalem

in England

My Lord,

I am glad to be able to report that a very large proportion

of the delayed material arrived yesterday and today, and will

enable us to get on with the completion of the Hospital more

rapidly.

The offer of a General Mortuary I alluded to in my last

letter has now been accepted, and we propose utilizing the material

for a Convalescent Officers Dining and Recreation Room which will

be erected close to the ward reserved for them.

supply to Rt Hon Charles Booth[?]

We are in urgent need of a small 15-20 touring car

Mr Toombs has one ready                         11 Adelphi Terrace [rest illegible] 

and a light Ford van, also a small two seated run about Singer.

The car that we have at present, the Metallurgique, is used up

entirely and is working on one cylinder only, and we have had to

buy tyres for it.

The Sunbeam Lord Norreys informed us was shipped for the

Hospital last Sunday week the 25^th ult., has not been heard of,

and the cars mentioned in the accompanying copy of a letter received

from Mr. Toombs have likewise not been further heard of. I have

communicated with Lord Norreys on these matters but presume he is

away as I have received no answer from him.

Our washing will have to be done at a laundry some seven

miles off and will be sent twice a week; for the transport of

this and for journeys to Boulogne and elsewhere for provisions etc.

a light wan is absolutely essential.

The Matron and three or four sisters to assist her in

getting things ready might come out on Wednesday the 11th

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Page Two

Second page of report

Contd 2.

They may have to mess with the Officers for a time till their

own mess and the general kitchen are ready, but their sleeping

quarters will be ready to receive them.

I shall be obliged if Mr. Morgan will forward as soon

as possible all invoice still in his hands of goods received

as we urgently require them here for checking as equipment arrives.

I have the honour to be,

Your Lordships

Obedient servant,

James Clark

Etaples. 4/8/15.

Kindly advise me of the boat by

which the Matron will leave …..

We may make arrangements for

having her here in Boulogne and brought

out here and also of the number of

Sisters coming with her.

Clark.

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Third page of report

Copy of a letter received from

1. Toombs Esq,

142, Boulevard De Strasbourg,

Harve

July 21^st 1915.

To Col. Sir James R.A. Clark, Bart, C.B.,

St. John Ambulance Brigade Hospital,

Etaples.

Dear Sir James,

I have to advise you that I have sent up to Boulogne today

en route for Etaples in charge of Red Cross Drivers who are returning

to Boulogne, the following vehicles which have been sent over from

London by Lord Norreys :-

28/36. H.P. Turcat-Mery Lorry (more of a [illegible] Not much good – broken down en route!)

50/60. H.P. Fiat Van

I shall be glad to hear from you when they reach Etaples

safely.

I also have the following vehicles here which have been sent

over by lord Norreys, but of which some are not yet fit for the road

as certain parts are required as shewn on list below :-

24. H.P. Panhard Ambulance. Clutch and steering gear in a

bad state.

60. H.P. Iris Car. Needs timing-gear-wheel.

30.H.P. Napier Ambulance. Needs oil pump.

Metallurgique Ambulance. In good order.

All the spare parts necessary have been requisitioned, and

as soon as all the vehicles are in a fit state, I will advise you,

so that you may send down drivers to fetch them away.

Yours sincerely,

(Signed) G. Toombs,

Commissioner. O.S.J.J.

Sub-Commissioner B.R.C.S.

30th July, 1915

With the arrival of many of the staff and male personnel, the weekly report of the 30th July 1915, sees progress at the Hospital happening rapidly. Most of the buildings on site have been erected, although delays have occurred with the plumbing, and there is still the drawback of the uncompleted mortuary. However, there are hopes that the Hospital will open within two weeks. Chief Commissioner Clark also writes of the excellent position of the Hospital within Étaples, with its views of the sea and sheltered position from ‘prevailing winds’. He notes that ‘all who see the Hospital express their approval and say that it is the best they have seen in France’.

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Page One

First page of report

Received 30/7/1915

To The Director

The Ambulance Department

The Order of St. John of Jerusalem

In England.

My Lord,

In compliance with the arrangement made I here send you

my first weekly letter since my arrival.

I arrived on the evening of the 22^nd and took up my

quarters in an Hotel near the Hospital. The Hospital not being

sufficiently advanced to receive me.

The Staff and male personnel arrived on Saturday evening

and I was able by then to accommodate them in their barrack rooms

and Officers quarters.

The work on the Hospital is progressing as rapidly as the

receipt of the material and equipment will allow. There is still

a very considerable amount on the way.

The buildings are all up with the exception of the Fuel

Store and the Shed for the Disinfector, which will be finished by

the end of the week. After which there will be a certain amount

of interior fittings to be finished.

We have been considerably delayed as regards plumbing.

Messrs. Humphreys, who undertook the work, not having begun the

work soon enough or sent sufficient hands to carry it through.

More men for the purpose are however here now, and I hope it may

be completed by the end of the week. Without Messrs. Humphrys

assistance in carrying it out matters would have been very much

worse, as labour, particularly skilled labour, is very hard to get,

and the local workmen or a very indifferent type.

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Page Two

Second page of report

Continuation 2.

The delay in receiving our equipment is due to conditions

beyond our control, but restrictions in forwarding of Stores

etc. will I think in a few days be removed.

I have received Mr. Morgan’s letter and enclosure re. Ship-

ment of goods and names of steamers.

With regard to the female staff, their quarters will be ready

for them in about a week, but whether it will be any use their coming

out then will depend on how we receive our equipment. Ward equipment

chiefly being delayed. The Matron and half a dozen Nurses can come

on ahead but will receive a clear three days notice of when they are

to come.

The site of the Hospital is exceptionally good, within a mile

of the open sea which is in full view. It is sheltered from prevailing

winds on the sloping ground down to the Boulogne Road. The Nurses

quarters being on the high ground.

The mens and Officers quarters are on the opposite side of the

road equally sheltered and open to the sea, in fact it is by far the

best site for a Hospital here.

All who see the Hospital express their approval and say that

it is the best they have seen in France.

The one drawback is the Common Mortuary, which, notwithstanding

the promise given that it should not be used as such is still so used.

The new Public Mortuary opposite the Cemetery is not yet commenced

and is under contract to be finished by a French firm in six weeks

from the 16^th of July.

Under these circumstances I represented the matter to the

authorities, a copy of my letter enclosed, I trust that the proposal

that I have made in it will be approved by the Order, though I doubt if

it will be accepted.

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Page Three

Third page of report

Continuation 3.

Fortunately there is a lull in the war at present so far as

we are concerned, and there are many thousands of vacant beds immed-

iately around us. For if we had to fill up our beds suddenly

three of our wards would be unable to be occupied owing to the

proximity of the present Common Mortuary between the walls of which

and our wards it is impossible for me to stretch out my arms at full

length.

We hope to be in a position to open the Hospital in a fortnight

from now but as I stated previously it depends on the time of arrival

of equipment.

Mr. Gordon has received the draft for £1,000 and paid it into

the account of the Hospital at the Banque Adam. The previous drafts

that he received will be accounted for in the accounts and the balance

paid into the Banque Adam.

I enclose a copy of a letter from Messrs Humphreys regarding

Insurance.

The weather is very variable, rain, wind and bright sunshine,

and cold enough towards sunset to lead one to imagine a frost.

We were all much grieved to hear of Mr. Edmund Owen’s death

and offer our very sincere sympathy to those connected with him.

He did long and good service for the Brigade in a quiet way with

remarkable promptness for a busy professional man, and his advice

was always sound and was much appreciated. A pleasanter and a more

capable colleague in the work of the Brigade it would be hard to find.

I have the honour to be,

Your Lordships

Obedient servant,

James Clark

24th July, 1915

Chief Commissioner Clark begins the weekly report of 14th July 1915 with news of his arrival at Étaples. He notes that the work on the construction of the Hospital is ‘progressing satisfactorily’ and that it should be ready to accept patients within a fortnight. However, with the demand that will be placed on the Hospital still uncertain, he is unhappy to find that a new mortuary is yet to be constructed at the site of the Hospital and suggests it should be built within 6 weeks.

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Page One

First page of report

24.7.15

To

D.M.S., L. of G.

I have the honour to report my arrival at Etaples to take

over charge of the St John’s Ambulance Brigade Hospital.

I have inspected the condition of the hospital and find the work

progressing satisfactorily, and hope to be ready to open in about a

fortnights time.

The staff and male personnel have also arrived at Boulogne and are

expected here to-day.

I was, however, disappointed to find that the building in close

contact with the hospital, intended as a Mortuary was still being

used as such, notwithstanding that the Order of St. John’s were given

to believe some months ago that its use as such would be discontinued

and a new general mortuary built at some distance off, opposite

the cemetery.

This mortuary, I find, has not yet been commenced, the contract

xxxxxxx having been made only on the 16^th of this month – less than a

week ago – and I am informed will take six weeks to complete.

Under these circumstances, I would suggest that some other tempor-

-ary arrangements be made for a mortuary at some further distance

from the hospital. There is a stubble field some two or three hundred

yards along the road towards the cemetery in which a tent might be

erected temporary for the purpose.

I have seen this ground with Lieut-Colonel McMunn and we both

discussed this matter together and are in agreement on it.

As it is quite xxxxxx uncertain when a heavy demand may be made on

the hospitals, if it will be of any assistance to the Works Department,

I can arrange for the erection on the ground already selected of a

General mortuary 120ft. by 20ft., divided into three compartments,

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central compartment concreted, free ventilation along full length

of eaves on both sides, and four roof ventilators, height to eaves

8ft. – to be completed in 14 days.

This would ensure the full accommodation of the hospital

being utilized which would be impossible under existing circumstances

as there is no room for a man to stretch out his arms between the

present mortuary and the wards opposite it.

In the matter of cost, I would suggest that the extra cost

incurred in providing this larger mortuary should be borne by the

W.O., the St John’s Hospital giving up its private mortuary free

of cost, of which the new mortuary would then become merely an

enlargement.

(Sd) James R. Andrew Clark,

Colonel A.M.S.

24-7-15

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Copy of letter to

D.M.S.

1. of C.

————————————

Forwarded.

I am informed by A.D.W. that the contract for the mortuary

about to be erected opposite the cemetery had been placed in the

hands of a French contractor and it is expected that the building

will be completed in 6 weeks time dating from 16^th. inst.

(Sd) J.R. McMunn.

Lieut-Colonel. R.A.M.C.

for A.D.M.S., Etaples.

Etaples.

24.7.15

22nd July, 1915

The outbreak of war on 4th August 1914 created a high demand for medical services and personnel. Voluntary aid was essential to the cause, and the Order of St John became an important organisation in the war effort with over 45,000 St John men and women volunteering during this period.

With the approval of the War Office, the Order established a Hospital close to the town of Étaples, which had become the largest British military base on the Western Front. The Hospital was staffed solely by members of the St John Ambulance Brigade and beginning on 21st July 1915, weekly reports of the ‘condition and work done by the Hospital’ were written by Chief Commissioner James R. A. Clark.

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22nd July, 1915.

My Lord,

I have the honour to report my departure for France this

day to take over charge of the St. John Ambulance  Brigade

hospital at Etaples.

The last load of equipment was dispatched from our Ware-

houses on Tuesday, and there remain only some few goods which

can be forwarded through 83 Victoria Street, or such other

way as may seem best to the Director of Stores.

The Staff and personnel leave for France this evening. The

Female Nursing Staff will remain at home pending communication

from me that their quarters are ready to receive them, which I

hope will be within the next ten days.

I propose with your approval forwarding to you as Director of

the Ambulance Department a letter, weekly, reporting the

condition and work done by the Hospital. I propose that this

letter should be posted at Etaples every Monday. It should then

reach you on Wednesday morning at the latest. I shall be glad

to adopt any other arrangement that may suit you better.

I shall be glad to be informed how often a statement of the

accounts of the Hospital out there should be submitted for the

information of the Finance& General Purposes Committee. I would

suggest monthly, made up to the end of the month.

Colonel C.R. Tyrrell A.M.S., The Commissioner of the

Brigade at present working at the War Office, will as already

approved carry on the work of the Brigade during my absence.

He has arranged with Mr. Darvil Smith, the Secretary of the

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Brigade, to take all papers to him at the War Office daily as Colonel Tyrell’s duties will not allow his leaving the War Office.

I have the honour to be,

My Lord,

Your Lordship’s obedient servant

James Arthur Clark

Chief Commissioner

The Director General,

Ambulance Department,

Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem.

Étaples Weekly Reports – An Introduction

To mark the centenary of the First World War, the Museum of the Order of St John has received a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to undertake a project commemorating the wartime efforts of over 45,000 St John men and women. The project will tell the story of Veronica Nisbet, a Voluntary Aid Detachment Nurse, who served at the St John Ambulance Brigade Hospital in Étaples, northern France. Through the scrapbook she created to document her memories, Veronica provides a unique insight into the important work carried out by the Order and some of its volunteers.

Working in collaboration with staff at the Museum, St John Ambulance Cadets (aged between 10 and 17) will learn new skills as they explore the charity’s wartime heritage and create an interactive learning resource based upon Veronica’s scrapbook. Once complete on 7th September 2015 (the hundredth anniversary of the first convoy of patients arriving at the Hospital in Étaples), the learning resource will be made available in the Museum as well as online. As part of the project, the Museum has also digitised and will be making available online, a series of weekly reports which document the condition of life in the St John Ambulance Brigade Hospital in Étaples. The reports will be published weekly on the Museum blog, accompanied by a summary and transcription.

Veronica Nisbet’s scrapbook

The modern role of the Order of St John really began during the Victorian era with the establishment of the St John Ambulance Association in 1877 to provide first aid training and supplies. The Order were also strong supporters of the International Committee of the Red Cross and invited the War Office and Admiralty to recognise the value of a Red Cross movement in Britain. It was against this backdrop in 1887 that the Order of St John formed the St John Ambulance Brigade: A voluntary civilian organisation for providing medical assistance in public emergencies, the Brigade would also act as medical reserve for the Army and the Navy.

When war broke out in Britain on 4th August 1914, it was clear that voluntary aid would be essential to the cause. Amongst the many valuable services provided by the Order and its volunteers, was the staffing and funding of the St John Ambulance Brigade Hospital in Étaples. Offered to the War Office in October 1914, it was proposed by the Order that the base clearing hospital of 525 beds would be operated and sustained solely at the Order’s expense. The War Office were quick to accept the offer with the agreement that they would supply the rations for personnel and patients, petrol and tyres for any transport, and the wages of the Brigade members who had enlisted with the Royal Army Medical Corps.

Construction of the Hospital, which consisted of a series of single storied wooden buildings, began in April 1915 and by September, it was fully operational. The Hospital became known by many as the best designed and equipped military hospital in all of France and consequently, received many important visitors including Queen Mary. It was the largest of the voluntary hospitals serving the British Expeditionary Force receiving over 35,000 patients during the war.

The hospital at Étaples

The Hospital had a staff of 241 (all from the St John Ambulance Brigade) including: seventeen medical and surgical officers, fifty-three trained nurses and twenty-four VAD nurses.  As a Base Hospital, it received patients from the Casualty Clearing Stations which were situated a few miles behind the front line, and provided treatment, surgical support and some degree of convalescence to patients before they were evacuated to hospitals in the UK or returned to their units.

The Hospital was principally run and overseen by members of the Order of St John, including the Commanding Officer, Colonel Charles Trimble and the Chief Commissioner, James R. A. Clark, as well as personnel such as the Matron, Constance E. Todd. As part of his work at the St John Brigade Hospital in Étaples, Chief Commissioner, James R. A. Clark began sending back weekly reports of the condition at the Hospital to St John’s Gate. The content of the reports varied greatly, reporting visits from VIP’s, tales of Christmas festivities and arising problems the hospital faced. At times these included, financial and domestic issues over matters such as laundry and transport, as well as more serious difficulties such as hospital-wide bouts of sickness and air raids. The reports serve as an excellent source, helping to shed some light on the day to day life of those living and working within the Hospital.