men, in a company where I was manager, had been one of these paras. We went across to St. Augusta in the shadow of Etna, Sicily and stayed a few days, then set off again on Christmas Eve to the sound of the carol, “Silent Night”, floating across the water.

For exercise, Jim and I would walk around the ships huge deck and in between times we would attend lectures. In addition, I was roped into make a fourth at Bridge. I had never played the card game before, but I RAMC REUNITED soon got the idea and did not do too NEWSLETTER – JANUARY badly. 2016 We passed through the Straits of Gibraltar at 2 am one morning. Most of HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU us stayed up to see the rock, but it only appeared in the distance. Then ALL we had the hazard of the Bay of Biscay, but finally we put in at IN ARDUIS FIDELIS – AN Liverpool on January the third, exactly ACCOUNT OF MY WORLD three years to the day since I had left WAR II EXPERIENCE BY LCPL on the Samaria. A military band played WALTER HART (CONTINUED) as we disembarked and we all cheered, then made our way to a Chapter 6 – A brief visit to waiting train that took us to Llandeilo in England via Wales South Wales.

Throughout the voyage we were not It was well organised. We were allowed to undress. The Germans still stationed in the grounds of Dinefwr held Crete and most of Italy, with Castle in Nissan huts and actually had Southern France and Spain still their beds. Lord Dinevor was still in non-combatant allies. Once or twice residence in the house. I suppose there were warnings of enemy aircraft there had been a castle at some time or submarines. Once an enemy plane and, although he was infirm, I did see did come in sight and our anti-aircraft him from time to time. guns came into action. On board, was Llandeilo is a small town in central a division of paratroopers. They were Carmarthen, but important because it in time to be dropped at Arnhem and was the rail centre and distribution had been training in Palestine. In later point for milk gathered from most of years, I was to discover that one of the South Wales. Trains from there went family again. During our stay in to most big northern towns and to London, there were sporadic air raids Llanelli in the other direction. and V1’s came over now and again. the raids were mostly at night and Iwas I mailed Rochelle and my parents to let always on edge. Like my mother, I them know that I was home and a few hated to be indoors and felt relatively days later went on leave. The train no fear if I was outdoors, seeing what from Llandeilo to Leeds stopped at was going on; not that that would Salop and there I had time to get tea make a difference if a bomb fell near. and a sandwich. On the platform was a Women’s Volunteer Service unit. They As the end of my leave drew near, were angels. They supplied all the Rochelle and I went back to Leeds. delicious tea one could drink, exquisite When I left for Llandeilo, I promised to after army tea, and the most wonderful try and find digs where Rochelle could sandwiches and cakes, or so it stay. This proved to be difficult, but seemed. eventually I found a place near where I was stationed. Arriving in Leeds I made my way to 101 Spencer Place, where Rochelle In and around the town were was then living. Esther had objected to thousands of troops, mainly American, her coming to stay with me, when I with their weapons of war, all awaiting was in Luton before going to the the invasion of France. During the Middle East, and had forced her to period before Rochelle came, two move out and Esther’s sister, Carrie, sporting events took place. The local had kindly taken her into her home. authorities arranged a sports afternoon As we met we embraced and kissed, that included an open one mile race for but I expect we both felt a bit strange. forces personnel. One of the unit’s best sportsmen was a man we called However, that soon passed. To me, “Banker”. He was not a banker, but a Rochelle appeared to have gained a nurse for mental patients. Because he little weight and her hair was different, was male, he was a private soldier, but she was just as gorgeous. We both whereas females with his qualifications went to London and, as we made our would be in the QIMNS and would way to my parents flat, my father met rank as lieutenants. Banker was also a us in the street. It was all very moving, professional footballer and played but mostly so when I met my mother. It centre forward for one of the Bristol was both happy and sad. What my clubs. He suggested we both enter the parents felt on seeing me, after one race and that I act as pacer for him. son had been killed and another badly The race was over five laps of the wounded . Seeing me, who was away course. When it began, I kept just in at the war most of the time, I shall front, but suddenly Banker mistook a never know, but it must have been bend and went onto a wrong track. He awful. It was much the same regarding had to run back again, but caught up Rochelle. She must have realised by with me after four laps. By then about then, that she was not likely to see her half of the twenty or so starters had Then Rochelle had to return to Leeds dropped out and I was in a bad way, and from there she found a place in so as soon as banker got in front and I Scarborough for the evacuees to stay. was sure he would win, I dropped out. Banker received the winner’s prize, but One morning I was stopped by our did not even thank me. new RSM, named Jenkins. He asked if I was interested in promotion. Of The other event was five-aside course, I answered in the affirmative. A football. Sixteen teams were formed in few days later I was detailed to go on a a knock out competition, organised by course at the Depot in Crookham. The a second class warrant officer, who course was physical training, initiative, was an FA professional referee in lecturing, drilling and included an peacetime. In my team were Jim assault course. I remembered my Meleck and a man named Daniels. rookie training and shuddered, but this Daniels was a top line amateur and we was to be quite different. The barracks worked well together. We eventually had moved. Haig lines no longer won the competition. Our prize was existed. It was now new and called fifty cigarettes each. Boyce Barracks. Also, I now had a stripe on my arm. It was almost luxury. Rochelle arrived and I managed to be with her whenever I was off duty. One day on Parade, the inspecting Sometimes I had to be night orderly officer stopped and looked me up and sergeant. That meant that from 7 p.m. down and said, “Incredible.” I to 8 a.m. next morning I was wondered what was wrong. He said, technically in charge of the camp. I “You have been three years with the had been on this duty one Saturday Eighth Army and you cross your boot and next morning I made off through a laces.” I could see a twinkle in his eye, gap in the fence surrounding the camp but managed to keep a straight face. and went to Rochelle. About an hour later the company runner came on his Word was sent to me that I had been bike to say that a Staff Sergeant was promoted to lance Corporal and that looking for me, because the NAAFI meant I could keep my stripe and had been broken into during the night would be paid for it. A whole six pence and money stolen. I made my way (2½p) a day. At the end of the course, back and found the Staff Sergeant. He I had to take an examination. First I was relieved to see me, but little did he had to give a lecture; mine was on the know how relieved I was. landing in Sicily. Of course, I remembered what I had been told V1 bombs were falling more frequently before leaving the Middle East; the on London and I tried to find a place examining officer did not want to where my mother and my eldest believe that I had not taken part in the brother’s daughter Linda, who had landing. We were also examined on been born six months after her father’s the parade ground in drill. I came top death, could stay. My feet became of the course and as a reward had to sore from trying, but all to no avail. drill all the others for half an hour. Now the RAMC drill is based on the guards Chapter 7 - Return to France - style, familiar to most the slow raising The Tide Turns of the foot and stamp on being given the attention order, but most working We boarded an infantry landing craft units do little drill and what they do is and made off across the channel to somewhat slovenly. At the first parade, Arramanche, where the Mulberry on rejoining my unit, the attention Harbour was being built, and landed order was given and there was a swift there. We then made our way to the shuffle of a couple of hundred feet cliff top. It began to rain and we were followed by a stamp from my foot. told that we would have to stay where RSM Jenkins came up to me and we were overnight. Some tents were asked what I was doing. I explained hastily erected for the nurses and that that was what I was taught on the officers, but other ranks had to stay in course. He said, “Correct, but do the the open air. I noticed some partly dug same as the others. I’m not going to graves, which the Germans had teach this lot.” About mid-May, two abandoned. There were about 2 to 3 things happened. Rochelle told me she feet deep and so Jim and I selected was pregnant and several MOs with all one, put a groundsheet at the bottom men without nursing qualifications and one across the top, weighted with were sent on detachment. It was to stones, and slept there. Each man had take part in the “D-Day” landings. They been issued with pack rations. This would be going over in tank landing consisted of dried milk, tea, soup, craft and when the tanks debarked, biscuits and cigarettes plus four pieces they would bring wounded soldiers of toilet paper. We also had a small back to England. Then on June 1st, all collapsible stove with tablets of solid the units around us disappeared and fuel. Water we had in our water bottles on June 6th, were told of the landings (limited). It must have been presumed in France. We at once prepared to by the powers that be, that we had our move and went to Goodwood House own matches. near Chichester, the place where Next morning we went to a field near Goodwood races are held in Bayeau. There the usual marquee peacetime. Jim and I were billeted in wards were erected and Royal the King’s bedroom, along with some Engineers put up pre-fabricated thirty others. The walls were boarded buildings for operating theatre, etc. up to prevent damage and we all slept and within a day or two we were a on the floor, with our groundsheet and working hospital. There was no one blanket. Luckily it was summer. occupational therapy centre and so I We were only there a couple of days, was given the job of overseeing six when we moved to Portsmouth. There wards. All I had to do was go from we entered what was called the cage. ward to ward making sure that the Once inside we were not permitted out nursing orderlies were doing their job and could not send any letters. properly. As I knew them all and they were all conscientious, it was most boring, but only lasted for two days. A anti-aircraft guns there than in the small marquee had been put up to whole of London and so there was contain Red Cross comforts for quite a din at night, but at least I was patients and a couple of truckloads working and could go out in the open had arrived with these, but no Red when I wished. Cross representative. It was considered still too dangerous for Our forces were held up at Caen, not civilians to be allowed on the invaded very far away, but the area occupied territory. I was put in charge of this was secure and so a Red Cross store, with responsibility for keeping an representative came out and relieved inventory and receiving and issuing the me of my job. Because of the night comforts; mainly cigarettes. I used to activity, I asked if I could have a night meet every convoy of incoming job and was put in charge of wounded and, along with the Church regimental police. This was fine. I of Scotland Padre, would talk to them would be out at night while the raids and give out the comforts. In the Army took place and could get some sleep all ministers, regardless of their during the day. At one time it was religion, were called Padre. Captain reported to me that there was an MacKelman and I got on well together. unexploded bomb in a field nearby. I He knew I was Jewish, but never went to have a look. It was a small one spoke about religion. He was a good and so I posted a man at the entrance companion and even went out to have to the field, which was at a safe a drink with me now and again. distance. He would stop anyone going near. Meanwhile I reported it to the I was able to go into Bayeau and saw office and sent for bomb disposal. the famous tapestry on the day the Soon an officer arrived and I took him church put it on show again after to the bomb. He picked it up, looked at hiding it from the Germans, who it, then threw it a couple of yards away thought it had been sent to Paris. and said, “It’s an unexploded mortar; one of ours. I’ll get it collected later.” However, it had been hidden in the ground under the vaults. Also hidden My stint in regimental police came to in the ground, away from the an end when I was asked to help out Germans, were thousands of gallons at the unit’s Post Office, since Corporal of calvados and a lot of camembert Elliott, who was in charge, was in a bit cheese. It was delightful to taste really of trouble. I sorted things out for him. mature and gooey camembert with He was a likeable man, but very calvados, but alas some soldiers killed nervous and not very good at themselves by over drinking the spirit. organisation. The person we were responsible to was the registrar in the RAMC the registrar is a very important German aircraft only raided at night. person. He is a major who has risen The area occupied by us was only a from the ranks and is responsible for few miles deep, but there were more the running of the hospital; something like the hospital manager of today. again. The place was near the Our registrar was a Major, W.C. Ross, cathedral, where Joan of Arc was who had won both the military medal burned. and military cross in the First World War and was something of a tartar; but Soon after arriving in Rouen, I was out as previously with Dolly Gray, I was to in Town with Padre MacKelman, this get on well with Major Ross. time on some business or other. We decided to get a cup of coffee in a My first contact with him was when a café. On entering we found that the private, working in the post office, told proprietor was a middle aged woman. me that the major had a map he On seeing us she exclaimed, “British valued that was falling to pieces. He Soldiers!” How none had entered the wanted to know if I knew anyone who cafe before us, I will never know, but could repair it. Now being a one-time she said, “Wait a minute.” and bookbinder this was a challenge. I disappeared. About five minutes later, knew I could do the job, but only if I she came back wiping a bottle with a could get the necessary materials. I wet cloth. She told us it was a bottle of went to see the Major and explained. Scotch that she had hidden in the He said, “Easy. I’ll get them.” and garden when the Germans had soon he provided the torn map, a invaded in 1940 and asked if we would square yard of linen and a big bottle of have a drink with her. Fancy asking a glue. I was amazed that such things Scot if he would drink whisky? We were obtainable under the had a nice warm feeling after drinking circumstances. I told him it would take our coffee. me half an hour to do the job and two days for the glue to dry out, during We carried on in Rouen and then which time the repaired map had to be came the day when the Colonel kept under weights. He left it to me. I himself came to see me. Colonel did the job and there was no shortage Roach had left long before and I no of heavy things to put on top of the longer remember the new colonel’s map; this was necessary to prevent name. He told me that he had had a warping. In a factory hot glue would be letter from Rochelle’s doctor at St. used on the book, or in this case map James’ Hospital in Leeds, to say that and it would be put in a press for half there would be complications in the an hour. When I returned the map, the birth of our first child and could he major was delighted and he was my allow me compassionate leave. He friend from then on. said I could have two weeks’ leave that is I could have two weeks from the The breakout from Caen came time that I got to England. I should see eventually, after several air raids of a Major Ross for the necessary papers, thousand bombers on German but he said that he had been unable to positions. We then left Bayeau and find transport and I would have to find leapfrogged to Rouen. There we took my own. Here was I in the middle of a over a convent and were soon working war, in France and I had to find my own way home. I got the papers, said goodbye I thanked him, but he determined that I would somehow get would not take anything from me. to Leeds. I went to where the road from Rouen to Dieppe began and, by That evening I thought I would go to a good fortune, found a military café in the Rue St Jacques that I had policeman there. I told him of my frequented in the first month of the plight and asked him to stop a vehicle war. It should be remembered that, as that could take me to Dieppe. Soon a the Germans advanced after Dunkirk, I 15 cwt truck that was going to Dieppe had gone into Dieppe, which appeared stopped and I got on board. As soon to be an inferno, but I could not see as were out of town a tarpaulin much damage and the only place in opposite me was pushed aside and a ruins was my cafe. Even the casino, French girl got up and climbed over where Nº 1 General Hospital worked at the seat to sit beside the driver. the beginning of the war and which Halfway to Dieppe, we all got out at a was at the centre of the ill-fated raid on cafe for refreshment. This was Dieppe, seemed to be best part apparently the girl’s home, for she untouched, although it may have been stayed there, but the driver handed in ruins inside. over a jerry can of petrol, no doubt Next morning I boarded the ILC, getting paid well for it and drank more expecting to be in Newhaven in a few than was good for him before we hours. In the event it was a week continued on our way. We no longer before I would arrive at that port. The had the girl, but did have a drunken prisoners came on board and we set driver. sail. The weather was awful and nearly Somehow we got to Dieppe. I knew halfway across the channel, we had to the town from the beginning of the war. turn about and return to Dieppe to set I expected to see a lot of ruins, but that sail next day. Now this was a problem. was not so. I asked the driver to take They only carried a small crew and me to the railway station since I knew they did not have rations for me and where that was and could speak to the no intention of feeding me. I sought out railway transport officer. Having got the skipper, a naval lieutenant and there, the driver said he would wait to requested he send word to the town see how I got on. I found the RTO and Major to provide rations. He did this he directed me to the Port and eventually they came aboard. The Embarkation Officer. My friendly driver process of putting out each day and took me there and again said he would returning continued for a week. I asked wait. The PEO told me that I could go the skipper to give me a job, so he put to Newhaven on an infantry landing me on the upper bridge to take craft that would be leaving the next compass bearings and look out for flag morning with a load of German signals from the command ship. If I prisoners, but that I would have to stay saw any, I was to contact him at once, in a transit camp overnight. My friendly through the blow tube. The prisoners driver took me to the camp. When he had a nasty time. They were in the hold, were very seasick and the It was pitch dark in the blackout, but I atmosphere was awful. Eventually we knew the address where Rochelle had crossed the channel, but on entering been staying and where my mother Newhaven harbour, the ship turned on now resided, so I took the one and its side and, just as I began to think it only taxi available. I got to the street, would capsize, it righted itself. I was only to find it was on both sides of glad to get off. Roundhay Road and it was nigh impossible to see numbers in the I had some time to wait for a London blackout. Eventually I found one and train and was given tea by the WVS. was able to read a number on a gate. I There was a tea chest nearby and the took a chance as to which direction the lady suggested I take some biscuits numbers ran and counted until I got to from it. I remembered all the army the number I wanted. It was a problem. biscuits I had consumed and was What if it was the wrong house, at that sceptical, but when I took a packet I time of the morning? I took another found that they were Peak Freans Nice chance and rang the bell. No answer. I and Custard Creams. The lady said rang for several minutes then “help yourself” and so being hungry I someone came down and opened the did and took several packets. door. It was my mother - what a relief. I arrived in London and made my way Next day I went to see Rochelle and home, where I saw my father, then she told me off for not having come to went to King’s Cross station with my her earlier - such is life. She uncle Ike, as my father had to go on understood when it was explained to fire duty. It was going to be a couple of her that I was in London, when Uncle hours before the train left for Leeds Ike had ‘phoned to Leeds that I was and so we went to a pub and had a home. She thought that I was already couple of drinks. The train got as far as in Leeds. It was a week before Helene Derby, where an air raid was in was born by cæsarean section and so progress, and were told it would go no I only had a week to find somewhere further. I managed to get onto another for Rochelle and the baby to live. My train that took me to Sheffield. There I brother-in-law, John Walvish, was was told there would be no passenger stationed at Beckett’s Park in Leeds train to Leeds until the next day, but and, with his help, got his officer to the stationmaster said that a goods give me a week’s extension of leave. train was about to depart for Leeds. It In the end, Rochelle herself found had an old and dirty passenger someone to take her in - what a relief. carriage attached and he said if I was I first saw Helene the day after the prepared to travel in that, I was birth. I went to the hospital with my welcome. Of course I did. It was mother. Going into the nursery she indeed dirty both outside and in, but it looked around and then made straight got me to Leeds in the early hours of for a cot where a baby was in an the morning. incubator and oxygen tent. My mother said, “She is yours. I can tell a Hart anywhere. She also has fingers just been able to sort out the mess. He like Rochelle’s.” took me to a very large room and there from floor to ceiling were parcels and The time came for me to return. The letters that had accumulated during the partings were terrible, but it had to be. time that I had been away. Now the I got to Newhaven and boarded a hospital takes from 1200 to 2400 Kaiser built ship, taking new troops to patients, continually coming and going. the other side. Again it took a week to There were also about 250 to 300 get across. I ‘phoned Rochelle each staff, so one possibly can imagine the evening, but when the calls stopped backlog. I asked the Major to instruct she knew I had got away. the hospital office to give me back Arriving in Dieppe, we were greeted by numbers of all the daily report sheets a somewhat loud mouthed RSM I of patients admitted and discharged in presume the troops were rookies and the past two months and to order them he treated them as such. I wanted to to give me copies of the daily sheets get to my unit as soon as possible and from thereon. He did this and I asked not go to a transit camp, so I Doodie Smith to deal with incoming approached him. As soon as he saw I mail as far as was possible leaving me was wearing the Africa star and had a for a day to set up a filling system. All stripe on my arm, he changed the documents were sent to me within completely and was most the hour. I had a card filing system accommodating. He arranged for a ready next day and within a week had truck to take me to Rouen and that cleared the backlog. was that, except for the meal he The time came for us to move on and arranged, while I awaited the truck. at this stage we had to say goodbye to Arriving in Rouen, I found my unit still Major Ross, who was being repatriated ensconced in the convent. I was told to the UK We went to a place near that, as I had been away so long I had Ghent, in Belgium, called Oostaker been reported as missing to the and set up hospital. This time it was in military police. Some weeks later the a monastery belonging to a church MP’s in England found where Rochelle called Lourdes. For the first time I was living and came to find me. She realised that the Belgians had their explained and they went away. own miracle church and that in peace However, all my documents had been time people came there to have their properly endorsed and I was ailments cured. An appropriate place welcomed back, to report immediately for a hospital. to Major Ross. He informed me that We had not been there very long, Corporal Elliott had had a nervous when one night a V1 flying bomb breakdown and had been returned to landed. It fell about 150 to 200 yards England. The post office was now in from where I slept on a table in the charge of Corporal (Doodie) Smith, a Post Office room. It did not wake me Scot who I knew well. The PO was in a up and next morning, to my surprise, I state of chaos and Smithy had not yet could see glass everywhere from had not hurt his spine and something shattered windows. The bomb had had to be done. fallen on open ground and caused a lot of damage, but fortunately had killed Later I was told about all that no- one. When off duty, I used to take happened, because I could not the tram into Ghent, a fascinating city, remember. Apparently, I knocked on and while in the area went to see the door of a house nearby and asked Robert Helpman, Frederick Ashton if I could bring Doodie in, then with the and Margot Fontain dance with the driver’s help I did that. I attended to Sadler’s Wells ballet, who were Doodie’s head wound with water and a visiting. Also, on one occasion, the first field dressing, which every soldier Sadler’s Wells Opera visited Ghent carries when on active service. It and performed Faust. For the ballet, I appears that I spoke to the people in had very good seats, but for Faust I French, as they knew no English, and was up in the gods, behind a pillar and then I passed out. The next thing that I could see and hear very little. Later, knew, I was sitting next to a military another company put on The Merry policemen being taken back to my unit. Widow and that was great, especially When we got there, they tried to get the dancers who did the can-can. the top secret letter from me. I was in a twilight daze and would not part with it. One day I was called to the office and Only when the officer who had given it given a letter marked “top secret” and to me in the first place came along, did ordered to deliver it to the town Major I give it back. Some hours later I and no-one else, when I went into returned to full consciousness and Ghent to collect the day’s mail. There found myself in bed in my own was a thick sulphurous fog that day. I hospital. I had suffered severe travelled in the back of a 15 cwt truck, concussion, had two fractured ribs and with two others going to collect rations. a hairline fracture of the right scapula. Doodie Smith was in front next to the Doodie Smith was the first person I driver, Bert Hallows. Just at the saw, that was given Penicillin. It was beginning of Ghent, we ran head on given intravenously at a cost of £40 a into a tram going at speed. Trams had bottle. A small fortune in those days. the right of way regardless. Suddenly He was returned to the UK and later I everything went black, but I could only learned that he had made a complete have been out for a few seconds, recovery in an Oxford Hospital. After because I woke up hearing groans all two days, I was discharged and told to around. I felt pain in my chest and go on sick parade for a further three. shoulder, but got down and went to the Then I returned to work, but I was to front of the truck, which looked a see an MO from time to time for the mess. The driver, the only one not next six months. hurt, was calling. Doodie Smith was groaning and blood was coming from his head. All the signs were that he Chapter 8 - The End of War articles besides running the cafe, and I bought them as I thought they would I was given full charge of the Post be ideal for my baby daughter, Helene Office and would no doubt, at that Millicent, who I had not seen since her stage, have been made up to full birth. I think they were the first shoes corporal, but it was known that the war she ever wore. would not last much longer, although in fact it did. I was not a regular and so One day, going through Ghent, I it did not happen. I did not care much, learned that the war with Germany had all I wanted was to survive and go ended. The people were going mad, back to my family. At that time I was but what a relief. Men from my unit had also put in charge of the Corporals’ been going on leave, but I had to wait and Privates’ NAAFI. Tea and until all had had a turn because I had refreshments were not served, but all had compassionate leave. Then we sorts of other things were on sale. I left for Germany. Trucks took us to was able to buy things that were in Tilburg in Holland, where we stayed short supply at home and send them overnight. Then we boarded an there. ambulance train to take us to Germany. We crossed the Rhine on a The Dutch and Belgian Governments, Bailey bridge, one of the great as a mark of appreciation, gave tons of inventions of the Second World War. cigars to the NAAFI, with the object of We went at a snail’s pace, with the supplying one per week to each British bridge swaying perilously all the way. soldier. There were so many cigars, The bridge could not be seen when that I managed to get a packet of five looking out of the windows on either for every man who wanted them. They side of the carriage, all that was visible were, of course, free of charge. On was water and we appeared to be moving to Germany I gave over the riding on the water. However, we got NAAFI to someone else. A Private to the other side. named George Dodd was detailed as my assistant. He was good at the job, We changed trains at the notorious but at night slept out with some marshalling yard at Hamm, which the Belgian girl. RAF bombed continuously during the war. The damage in the Ruhr must I became friendly with a Belgian family have been catastrophic. Every town who had a cafe in Oostaker; the we passed through was in ruins and it Soutart family. They were Albert and was nothing unusual to see a huge Adrienne and their son René. I was to locomotive hanging by its bogies from visit them when on local leave from the remains of a bridge. Later, going Germany and also twice after the war, through Duisburg, I could see nothing with my own little family. I used to visit but ruins. Then suddenly a building, the cafe and they looked after me somehow still standing, came into following the accident. One day I saw sight and on the front, in gold letters on a pair of baby’s shoes in their a red background, was the name F. W. showcase, since they sold various Woolworth. It may not be strict Perhaps one of the most heart geographical order, but we passed rendering experiences of war was the through Duisburg, Dortmund, Munster parting when one had to return from and Dusseldorf all in ruins and came to leave, but this time we knew it would Iserlohn, a simple Ruhr town. We took not be for long. over a former SS barracks and set up hospital. In August the Japanese war came to an end and we all expected swift de- I was given my first leave in eight mob, but this was not to be. George months and returned home to see my Dodd had been posted away and I daughter, who was now a grown now had another assistant, Tom toddler. This time the journey was Clarke who came from Bungay in uneventful. My father had managed to Suffolk. I also had an ATS who had get a two room flat near where my been put into the Post Office in parents lived in London and Rochelle desperation. She had not been able to had moved there. It was very primitive, stay in any job for more than a few just the two rooms. On a landing, days for she had sparkling eyes and a outside, was a toilet to be shared with facial look that appeared to say come another tenant and also a scullery, as on to men, but she was not really that it was called, to be shared with three type and that had caused trouble. Now other tenants. both Tom and I were both, in a way, newly married and we loved our wives, There was no water in the flat. This so we did not fall for the look. At first had to be obtained from the scullery, she was obviously nervous, but very where one also had to go to wash. quickly picked up what was required to There were communal baths in the do the job. She began coming on duty grounds and tenants were allowed late and I had to tick her off. I think there once a week. However, no that she realised then that we were matter how primitive, Rochelle made it only interested in her doing her job a home and the first of our own. properly. Helene was a lively child. She was suspicious of me at first, but soon The Barracks, that became our became friendly. Each morning, I hospital, had a guard room near the would be awakened by Helene entrance, complete with half a dozen throwing herself over the top of her cot cells for prisoners. Goodness knows and landing on me in the adjacent bed. what had gone on there in the SS It was great to be together again and days. It also had the controls for the to be near my family, but it was sad town’s air raid sirens. As previously that we now realised for sure, that explained, every large army hospital Rochelle would never see her near had on its staff a number of male family again. By now we knew all nurses for mental cases and when about the concentration camps and the there were no such cases they worked fate of European Jews. as regimental police. We often said jokingly that mental nurses became

mental themselves; to an extent this to show the mass of medal ribbons was sadly true. Banker became a and the pocket off his battledress was schizophrenic and had to be lowered to accommodate them. It repatriated. On one occasion one of somehow reminded me of a cartoon of them tampered with the air raid alarm Goering, who also had masses of controls and set off all the sirens in medals, but the cartoon showed him and around the town. Another time one with a couple pinned to his backside. of them climbed into the clock house in the barracks. Goodness knows what I posted the ATS girl at the window, to he did, but he set the clock chiming. A look out for the entourage and Tom great booming sound like Big Ben and and I got on with the post work. After a it could not be stopped for about an while, she told us that they were hour. emerging and were prepared in case they looked in, but they come our way In a little town, not far from Iserlohn, and went past. I cannot say that I was was a village called Hamer. Here an disappointed. It was perhaps a relief. annex was set up to treat patients with venereal diseases. Jim Meleck was Now that the war was over, a general posted to this unit and I used to go and election had taken place and Labour see him now and then. The chief cook had swept to power. I had written to in the unit was a man named Sydney Clement Attlee, leader of the Labour De Haan. He was probably Sydney De Party, for advice on how to approach Haan who later founded SAGA, the army personnel. This had been made holiday company for senior citizens. legal, but in his reply he only wished We used to have get togethers and De me good luck. It was surprising how Haan would cook a meal accompanied many officers voted Labour. I by delicious trifle, which contained a remember our radiologist, Major John fair amount of surgical alcohol. We Ross, a specialist who had written were all in the best of spirits! books on radiology. He was so enthusiastic that he helped me General Montgomery visited the unit canvass. Later I discovered that he one day and we all had to get spruced was a friend of Hartley Shawcross, up. I made sure that all was in order in who became Labour’s Attorney the Post office, not that one could General. make it look like a palace, but in the event he did not pay me a visit. I saw I played cricket for the unit and another him arrive. The Colonel, two Lt member of the team was Lieutenant Colonels, Matron and a few others Colonel Everley Jones. Years later, on waited at the entrance to the main visiting Rochelle’s cousin Sidney, a block. All that was missing was a red doctor in Wolverhampton, I discovered carpet. When ‘Monty’ arrived, he got that Everley Jones was a local out of his staff car, immediately took consultant and went everywhere in off his greatcoat and gave it to his town on a bicycle. driver. He apparently always did that, Another leave came along and so I The day came for me to go home. I was able to see all my family again. said my goodbyes and a truck took us De-mobbing had begun, but my turn to Munster. It was freezing cold and had not yet come. Our daughter, we had several hours to wait for our Helene, was now walking and talking, train. We managed to get a cup of tea yet only thirteen months old. She shied and a sandwich, but there were no away from me at first, but after I sat on heated rooms where we could wait. the floor and rolled a ball to her, she There were posters everywhere became friends and to show it she reminding us that we were still in the brought the potty to me, to undress her Army and that, if we misbehaved, we so that she could use it. At thirteen could be sent back. We were to months she did not wear napkins and discover these posters all along the had not done so for some time. The way to Calais and in the port. leave was idyllic, but soon came to an end. I returned, but it was to be for We had been told that we could keep only two months. Crossing the the uniform we were wearing, provided channel, I saw two mines floating on we cut off all insignia and badges of the water. They were the same two rank. This I did and used the uniform that I had seen in February 1940 and for several years when doing each time that I had crossed between gardening and odd jobs. I arrived Dover and Calais since that time. In home in mid-January and all that had 1940 soldiers and sailors took pot- to be done before I was officially de- shots at them, but they all missed the mobbed and placed on a “Z” reserve, detonators on the horns. I often was to go next day to Regents Park. wondered if they were deliberately left Officially I was still in the Army until there as a guide past a minefield. May 23rd and would be paid to that Back at the unit things were very quiet. date and given a small gratuity. The We were working now as a peacetime time lag was because I was entitled to hospital and this meant a lot less work paid leave and one day for every for the Post Office. There were only month on active service. Next day, in thirty to forty admissions and Regents Park, I reported to the discharges each day, instead of enclosure where the de-mobbing took hundreds. The ATS girl had been place. I met Jim Meleck and Monty posted elsewhere and I began the job Miller there. We were de-mobbed in of handing over to Tom. During the last pairs and I was called along with Jim month I had nothing to do, but play Meleck and gave my last army salute cricket and celebrate with the chaps to the de-mobbing captain. After that, I who would be de-mobbed in my group. went into a large marquee to select a Of those who joined the unit when it civilian suit, shirt, tie, shoes and a hat. was first formed in Colchester, only They were all pretty poor looking and I Jim, Billy Bennett and I remained. chose was appeared to be the best of a bad lot. When I arrived home, Rochelle said, “It’s horribly tailored.” P0STSCRIPT Instead of travelling westwards he went east towards Russia, met up with During the Second World War, a a Russian cavalry unit operating number of people who I had known behind enemy lines. They gave Cyril a were killed; either in action or by horse and the unit charged through the bombing raids. Among these were:- Germans to make their way back to Russia. Many were killed, but Cyril David Chowcat a close pre-war friend. survived. After the war he wrote a He died of burns when his Bren gun book “Against the Wind”. This was carrier struck a mine following the published as a single and also breakout from Caen. included in Paul Brickhill’s book of Two sisters who owned a sweet shop escape stories “Escape or Die”. Cyril next to the Jews Free School in opened a travel agency and a Middlesex Street, when the shop restaurant in the West End after the received a direct hit during a raid. war, but died just a few years later.

The following deeds of courage should also be noted: PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN David Chowcat`s younger brother Michael served in the Far East and was awarded the Military medal.

After the war I moved to Newbury Park, Ilford. There I met and became close friends with Albert Canter and served with him when I re-joined the St. John Ambulance Brigade. Albert was in the RAMC and was awarded the military medal.

I also met Cyril Rofe during a protest march against the rise of Fascist parties in the country and in Germany. Cyril had also earned the military medal. He had been a navigator in the RAF. He was captured when his aircraft was brought down over Pte Walter Hart July 1939 Germany. Sent to a camp in Poland he twice escaped, but was betrayed by the Poles and returned to the POW camp. He succeeded with his third attempt by changing uniforms and identity with a Palestinian Jew.

D5 Squad RAMC – July 1939

Inside a Major Surgical Ward in Egypt (1942)

Harry Pearlman; Jim McLeck; Jack Beech; Wally Hart; John Sicver; Monty Miller

Inside a tented ward in Egypt (1942)

Section Occupational Therapy - Egypt 1943 In the December Newsletter I informed members that Walter had received from the French Ambassador the Insignia of Chevalier in the Order National de la Legion d`honneur.

Lcpl Walter Hart at Rouen 1944

On the 5th January 2016 Walter was presented with the Insignia of Chevalier in the Order National de la Legion d`honneur. by the Station Commander, RAF Northolt, Group Captain David Manning ADC, MA, CMgr, FCMI, RAF in the Station Warrant Officers & Sergeants Mess where Walter is a Honorary Member.

This picture shows Walter with the Walter & Rochelle Hart in 1997 Station Commander and the Station Warrant Officer.

Rector is a “whole-time" officer and is expected to reside in London."

Chapter Seven 1914 Recall to the War Office There are various versions of Keogh’s recall to the War Office as Director General of the Army Medical Service. As stated in the last chapter, J.A. Spender claims that his report to the Cabinet brought to the attention of the Government and to Kitchener at the War Office, of the failures occurring in France. John Pollock, in his biography “Kitchener", states that Kitchener dismissed the incumbent Director General, Sir Arthur Sloggett, for LIEUTENANT GENERAL SIR "incompetence and disobedience” in ALFRED KEOGH GCB, GCVO, relation to the treatment of the wounded with antiseptic inoculation. CH (Continued) He goes on that he "discoursed to Asquith at the great length and with Chapter Six much vehemence on the shortcomings 1910 - 1914 of the medical arrangements." Rector Imperial College Of It seems on the evidence that Science And Technology Kitchener was reluctant to recall Keogh, whom he did not know. Indeed In a letter dated 11 March 1910, it is said that he initially asked Keogh Keogh was offered the appointment of to go to France as the DGMS to the Rector of the Imperial College of BEF. Kitchener was held in awe by Science and Technology, South both the Government and by the Kensington. Nothing could have Military. pleased him more. He had always had ambitions to be involved with science By now the RAMC had gained for itself and was fascinated with the advances the highest reputation amongst the in science and technology which was Army Medical Services of the world, taking place at the time. J.A. Spender was to write: ‘‘The chain of services from the The letter, signed by Lord Crewe, surgeon’s dug-out in the trenches to Chairman of the Governors, went on to the Casualty Clearing Stations and say "the appointment is held subject to Hospitals in France, and finally to the the pleasure of the Governing Body, is military hospitals and convalescent non-pensionable and the salary hospitals at home, all stages being attached is £2,000 per annum. The linked up with ambulances, hospital age of retirement is 65 unless, owing trains and hospital ships, was a to special circumstances, the miracle of smooth-working Governing Body requests the Rector organisation and its expansion to meet to continue beyond that date. The the needs of the immense improvised army which was shortly put into the though typhoid was rife in the field little less than a work of genius." civilian population of Flanders and despite an almost complete As always, Keogh did not take the breakdown of sanitation that winter. credit for this smooth running Keogh asked the Medical Officers of organisation, but ensured that those Health to enlist and advise on capable of making it work were in the hygiene and sanitation. The right places. He worked in co- Local Authorities at home became operation with the Central Medical War worried about cover for their areas. Committee. "He not only expanded the However, he got the full co­ operation RAMC to meet the needs of the rapidly of the Local Government Board, and expanding armies, he also had the means were found to fill the Army's whole medical profession, civil and needs and those of the Local military, working as one." Similarly, he Authorities. It is one of the miracles of had recruited many of the leading this war that the Forces in France did medical specialists into the service of not suffer from any major epidemic. the Army and was able to give them Military Ranks in deference to their The greatest danger in early 1915 expertise. Consultants like Sir Anthon came in March at the Battle of Bowlby, Sir George Makins and Sir Festubert. The Germans, for the first Berkeley Moyniham and others, were time, used gas. This could have surgeons operating in France. Sir caused the greatest disaster and Arthur Wright was a leading panic. As J.A. Spender describes it "an bacteriologist and W.T. Lister, an ordinary medical department might ophthalmologist, Sir Wilmot have been stunned and baffled by the Herringham, a consultant physician. sudden emergency presented to it by the Germans...... The cry went up for Now that the war on the Western Front an instant means of protection; it was was a static war, with the Armies feared that the whole defensive entrenched, there was a terrible system might breakdown if it were not danger of disease once again found at once. Keogh knew exactly decimating the Army, as it had done in what to do and where to look. He all previous wars. Keogh’s obsession called to his professors at the Imperial about sanitation, which he addressed College, (he got Churchill at the when Director General before the war, Admiralty to provide a Destroyer to paid dividends. He introduced take the professors over to France to inoculation on an extended scale diagnose the gas being used) and they during the war which greatly reduced were on to it from the first moment, the morbidity due to enteric fever, working day and night, risking their tetanus and cerebra-spinal fever which lives on experiments which had to be had ravaged armies in previous wars. rushed without any of the precautions Inoculation against typhoid was which might have been taken if there particularly effective as was evident in had been time. For the next three days the fust six months of the war. From the anxiety was terrible, but Keogh the commencement of the war until was quiet and confident. He knew his April 1915 there were 69,000 cases of professors; he could ask them to take typhoid in the French Army ...... in any risk; he was sure that they would contrast with only 1,000 cases in the find the counter before the end of the same period in the BEF which had week. And they did find it, not only for 90% of its personnel inoculated, the British Army, but for all armies. In a short time gas masks were going out poor boy- I know how many things you by the million to all fronts, even to the have to attend to and think Russians. There was a general about, yet you find time to attend to a impression in those days that England, request from a humble person like was behind other nations in applied myself - almost a stranger. If you carry science, but Keogh never would admit your memory back 13 years - you will it. He was sure his professors would remember my boy's accident at be equal to anything, if they were put Frankfurt, his right hand was run over to the test and he was right. by a tram very soon after you had It had been necessary to ask for passed him as fit for the army. He was further leave of absence from the in Germany with a coach preparing for Governing Body of the Imperial Sandhurst, having just left Winchester. College of Science and Technology Governors. Lord Crewe, throughout Fearing this accident would quite the war, badgered the War Office to disqualify him for the army I took the see if they could return Keogh to the liberty of consulting you, a total Imperial College, but it was not until stranger, and your letters were so kind early 1918, that he succeeded. and sympathetic and encouraging that we were buoyed up with hope, A Principle Director of Medical Services, Surgeon General Babtie, you told me to let you see him the first had also been introduced into the time he came home when you would system. Like Porter, his sphere of be in a better position to advise us as control was defined as extended 'from to the probability of his passing the high water mark' (in a virtually tide less medical board for admission to sea) and Hamilton (C-in C) had no Sandhurst. A few months later you control over his activities. The three saw him and notwithstanding the medical officers were thus placed in an serious injury he sustained you still impossible position, none really held out hope. He was such a fine lad, knowing where his responsibilities healthy and well developed that you began and ended." Keogh continued to though these qualities might, to a great object to the arrangement and Porter extent, act as a set-off against the was quietly returned to England in damaged hand, which you thought in November 1915. time, would recover as to be quite useful. You told me to be sure and let Throughout his time at the War Office, you know when the time arrived for Keogh continued to get letters from him to be medically examined after Next of Kin to help them find their sons passing the Sandhurst exam. A year or or husbands. One very moving letter, so or perhaps eighteen months written in 1915, from the father of elapsed and I thought you had Captain Arthur Kilby, is worth quoting forgotten all about him, but not a bit of in full: it. I appeared with him before the Board in fear and trepidation, which “Mr Dear Sir Alfred, however, was greatly assuaged by the messenger who took my car. "Mr Kilby, I am amply touched, tho' not in the oh yes. There is a very big bundle very least surprised knowing your about you from Sir Alfred Keogh, it's kindly nature, by your prompt reply and sure to be alright." The boy went in, I offers of assistance to help me trace remained outside. After some time the President of the Board came out and said, "I'm sorry there is a difficulty missing. He was quite prepared, at about your son. I am for passing him peace with the world and everyone. and six for rejecting him and I am This, I fear, may be the end of what I President and do not have a vote. We consider a noble and glorious history are going to send him before an of a fine and gallant son as was ever appeal board and I shall take the given to a father and mother, a career opportunity of saying that had I a vote, but for your sound judgement and I should pass him. On the Appeal kindly nature might never been and for Board, Sir Alfred is the President and which I hope you will feel proud and there are two others, so I think it will be gratified. Miracles happen sometimes, all right." Thanks to you, the passed, he may have fallen into German much to his relief and mine. Your hands, as he evidently charged right judgement was fully qualified ...... He up to their trenches and fell so near joined his Regiment...... and then them that no searching parties have came this war and the Battle of Ypres been able to trace him. His mother, last November. We heard he was from whom he inherited his courage wounded and in a hospital and character, is bearing her trouble somewhere, in our trouble we again with fortitude to be expected of a remembered you. You caused special mother of such a son. enquiries to be made, but as he had not been sent to the base, his wound If he is dead we could not have wished being so serious, a bullet wound for him and I am sure he would not through the right arm and lung, you have wished for himself, a more noble could not hear of him, later we heard and glorious end. from the Duchess of Sutherland and she telegraphed me to go over and Believe me with the very deepest see him and again with your gratitude for all your many kindnesses. assistance, this was managed. Without Yours very sincerely, you, it certainly would not have been. Sandford J. Kilby Your kindness did not end there. You arranged a hospital for him and sent Captain Arthur Kilby 2nd Bn South an ambulance to the station to meet Staffordshire Regiment, was awarded him and he was received by a Doctor a Posthumous Victoria Cross for his and nurses and orderlies, as if action near Cuinchy, France on 25th he had been a distinguished General. September 1915.

He made a good recovery tho' his right In 1915, criticisms of the RAMC began arm never got quite right. .. However, to surface. These came from he was so anxious to get back to the Consultant Surgeons in London and front that he persuaded the Boards, one or two in France. One of the main after much trouble, to allow him to re- criticisms was "the failure to recognise join and he went back in May having a that civilian Medical Officers had an few days before, received the Military important administrative role to Cross from the King for his gallant perform played into the hands of those conduct at the first battle o Ypres. who accused the RAMC organisation of being inflexible and wasteful in its Just before starting (in an attack) he attention to the particular medical skills wrote us a parting letter, which was to of civilian practitioners." be sent to us if he were dead or Another criticism was that it seemed the latter; consequently the Committee the Civilian Doctors who had joined the felt that the blame for any RAMC bore the brunt of the doctoring inadequacies should fall upon the at and near the front, whilst the shoulders of the consultant body on Regular RAMC Officers served on the which Wright was a member. It was staffs at the various Headquarters. It also pointed out that if casualties were was pointed out that the Regulars to be kept in France for operations were trained staff officers, who instead of evacuated to England, many understood the ways of the Army and more hospitals would have to be so were naturally employed as such. located near the Front Line. These What some saw as Red Tape, was hospitals could easily be overrun with also a complaint of many 'Civilian' casualties after a battle such as that Doctors. A Committee of Enquiry into on the Somme in 1916, unless there "Red Tape" was set up and found that was efficient evacuation system to the the documentation for a patient who UK. was moved through Field Ambulances, Casualty Clearing The criticisms were the first shots in Stations, Base Hospitals and eventual what were to become a major debate evacuation to England, needed in 1916. It appears that the leader of detailed notes and instructions. It was those who were intent in seeing Keogh easy, as we have seen, to lose a dislodged as DGMS, was Sir Alfred patient in the system unless there was Fripp, a Surgeon at Guys Hospital, detailed documentation. who had crossed swords with the Sir Almuth Wright, who was a young Keogh on the Committee which bacteriologist who examined infected reformed the RAMC in 1901 and was a wounds, "believed that the system of member of the Advisory Board which evacuation employed by the RAMC that Committee set up. Keogh never interfered with the basic principles called a meeting of the Advisory Board of wound treatment: that operations after his recall in 1914. He was not a should take place at the earliest Committee man and would rather ask possible opportunity." The RAMC was the advice of a particular expert than accused of claiming credit for the call a meeting which he saw as largely evacuation of record numbers of a waste of time. Fripp was not the only wounded to base hospitals and to author of a Memorandum, which hospitals in England at the expense of contained severe criticisms of the the welfare of the wounded. Sir Almuth RAMC. The others who signed it were Wright also accused the Medical Professor Sir Alexander Ogston, Service of neglecting the need for President of the BMA, Sir E. Cooper research. Sir Berkley Moynahan, a Perry, Superintendent of Guys Consultant Surgeon working in France, Hospital, who had also been on the declared that these criticisms were a Committee in 1901 and a member of 'travesty of the truth. He pointed out the Advisory Board and a Dr T.J. that, the Medical Research Committee Horder, a physician at St commended both Keogh and Sloggett Bartholomews, who had served in for the manner in which they had France. "freely sought and accepted both initiative and criticism from the This Memorandum produced many consultants. letters in support of Keogh. Lord Decisions regarding methods of Knutsford wrote on 18th November treatment were largely in the hands of 1915: because they do not give the matter "Dear Keogh, any particular thought.

Do not be the least afraid of anything What, therefore, I want to tell you is Fripp may do or say. Very few people that many of the most influential trust him and I am 10 times more Members in conversation while you powerful. I think you have done were still present, but more after you wonders and I know Haldane thinks left, reiterated their gratification that very highly of you. you represented the profession in your present position and, that if I do not see what he can do, but if support were needed it would not necessary turn me on. Is Treves your be wanting. friend? He is a man one never knows quite where one is with. Treves hates Kind regards, Fripp. Don't you worry? Derby (Lord John Young Walker McAlister” Derby Minister for War) too is a great friend of mine. The only place where your Department has failed is the Dardenelles scramble at first, not now and even now the men do not get enough attention on the way back for the Doctors ... God bless you, my There were other problems of concern, friend, try me and you will find me a of which the American Ambassador, loyal supporter and bitter fighter if Robert Bacon wrote from Claridges anyone attacks you. Hotel in July 1915. Yours, Knutsford" "My Dear Sir Alfred, I am heartbroken that a countryman of mine should have Keogh had many supporters including, caused you or your officers the the Royal Society of Medicine. After slightest of dissatisfaction and criticism attending a dinner and having to make that a colleague of your profession, a a speech, he received a slightly cynical gentleman in charge of an American letter from the Chairman, dated 25th Unit should have made you feel that November 1915: he or any of us could be ungracious in his? Of your kingly consideration and "Dear Sir Alfred, many attentions, is to me a great sorrow and regret. For your unfailing I think I ought to tell you and think courtesy to me and my countrymen, I you will be glad to have more positive can never express my gratitude. The assurance, of the cordial sympathy of matter of the supposed sentiments of the Members of the Council Club, even two of the Chicago Unit also troubles than was displayed by the me very much, because it injects a demonstration last night after your drop of poison and distrust, but speech, for on such occasions mere personally I do not feel that there is the acclamations may be merely the result slightest cause for apprehension on of a few sympathetic enthusiasts that score. starting the acclamation and being followed by others, partly because they I am sailing away today but permit me do not want to be out of it, and partly once again to thank you Sir, and to express deep feelings of admiration for the RAMC and its officers for whom the latter part of the war, in his shall always cherish the highest autobiography, writes: "in the late war I esteem and affection. ‘ can honestly say, that as regards the Most sincerely European theatre, the medical Robert Bacon." services, though hard pressed, were never on the verge of a breakdown. Whilst all this was brewing, the task of That the organisation stood the test of administrating the Medical Services the enormous inflation that was forced went on. Letters from Royalty such as upon it, it even after taking into Princess Helena and Princess Beatrice account the invaluable aid rendered by together with other titled ladies who the recognised heads of the civil were opening their houses as hospitals profession and by the British Red which required staffing and visiting. Cross and other kindred societies was There were also many letters asking due to the untiring work and admirable Keogh to see various people on the organising powers of Lieutenant recommendation of such a person as General Sir Alfred Keogh, who, from Mrs Asquith from No 10 Downing the days of the South African War to Street. She was hoping that he would the time he retired in 1910, devoted his see a Dutchman who was a 'genius abilities to the task of building up an with splints'. organisation which would stand the test of war. It stood the test of war, The role of women doctors in the war greater even than he visualised. was a continual debate. As male Happily for the Army, Lord Kitchener doctors answered the call to join the recalled him to his former post of DG ever short RAMC, vacancies in the of the AMS when war broke out in hospitals, administration and general 1914 and during the two years it was practice were progressively filled by my privilege to work with him I learnt women. Although a few hospitals in the secret of success of the France were staffed by women on their organisation to which he had given his own initiative, Keogh held to the life's work the official history of the general view that women doctors Medical Services during the Great War should not serve abroad. He is of itself an historical monument encouraged women doctors to serve in to his achievements and yet this was a Military Hospitals in the UK and to fill man against whom a dead set was vacancies left by those who joined the made in Parliament and the press in RAMC. 1916 and 1917, proposals even being made to replace him at the head of the Chapter Eight AMS by a civilian. The sources of this 1916 campaign were known at the War Questions In Parliament Office - a combination of personal jealousy, newspaper propaganda and On 15th March 1916, Mr R. McNeill political intrigue. made a long speech during the debate at the Committee Stage of the Supply Two main plans of the attack were (Army Estimates) Bill. almost amusing. It was urged that the medical inspection of recruits in Great The early months of 1916 were to be Britain should be handed over to dominated by the efforts of some to civilian doctors, at a time, when , attack Sir Alfred Keogh. General Sir actually, out of 900 medical officers Nevil Macready, Adjutant General in engaged on the work only 45 had ever been in the Army Medical Service, of surprised at the inconsistency of the whom 20 were actually serving. Daily Telegraph in one part advising A regards hospitals, British hospitals that the War Cabinet was too big and were organised and equipped on scale that Kitchener should be Dictator and far beyond that of any of our Allies and then that the peace formed Advisory if, as would assuredly happen, British Board should hamper the DG in any soldiers found their way into French decision he might have to make. hospitals trains or hospitals a public outcry would arise through the length It is well known that a committee of and breadth of the country...... the one gets most work done. In my supply and organisation of our army opinion it would have been impossible differed entirely from that in force on to do a tithe of the splendid work which the continent and in the American the DG had accomplished had he Army. been hampered by an Advisory Board, each member of whom would in all The attacks seemed to have been probability be axe grinding all the time. started by a Memorandum sent to Members of the House of Commons As you know I have a large command and Lords. An eminent Surgeon, T.H. and I unhesitatingly say that the Openshaw, writing from Wimpole patients are splendidly treated. The Street on transport of the sick from the front is January 10th 1916 to a Mr Fitzgerald well-nigh perfect; the records of men wrote: are minute and accurate. I am sure there is no man in the RAMC or "Whatever memorandum is this? Of all out of it who could have done the work the petty drivel commend to this half as well as the present DG. It is to memorandum. It begins by saying 'it be hoped that the Government will may be stated at once that the quality back him up through thick and thin. and the despatch of the First Aid... are The arranging of this army of 100,000 probably unequalled in history' and medicals is a magnificent piece of 'our criticisms are directed to principles organisation. So give all kinds of and not individuals' and yet the whole praise you can to best DG I have is an attempt to prove that medical known and I have known seven or arrangements are incapable of being eight. supervised and directed by one man, Yours sincerely, i.e. the present man. Thus 'problems J.H. Openshaw." so complex that they represent a proposition too big for one to carry' 'he The attacks on the RAMC and by is the only official whose views are not implication, Sir Alfred Keogh, came to subject to expert criticism.' the public attention during the debate in Parliament on the Army Estimates This memorandum is nothing but a on 16th March 1916. mean dirty attack upon the D.G. by men members of the Advisory Board Briefed by Sir Alfred Fripp supported - the memorandum says 'the Advisory by Sir Alexander Ogston, President of Board was schemed on a peach the BMA, Sir E. Cooper Perry, foundation and requires readjustment Professor Munro, Mr R. McNeill, '... 'by the addition of an MP or two and Unionist Member for St Augustines, a woman or two with no axe to grind'. Kent, made a long speech criticising Where can you find them? I am the Medical Services, often with sarcasm and with bitter attacks on to conceive. Imagine a Department of some personalities. He pointed out the Army bringing into being, that in the South African War, Civil deliberately, an organisation suitable Surgeons served in Military Hospitals, for peace by not suitable for War. Why whereas in this war, they were put into the very purpose of the Army is War! If uniform. He suggested that this was to it is an organisation no good for War, ensure that their opinions were not then it is not good for peace. Not only allowed publicity. He went onto the that, the Army Medical Service had not recent visit to France by Sir Frederick broken down in peace, so far as I Treves. "Who crosses to France on a know. It had broken down in War and it visit to see what is going on and how was because of this breakdown in War things are administered, does not that this reorganisation took place." really have the opportunity of testing the system at work. He goes to one The Times was not the only paper to particular clearing station or hospital in deplore the attack on Keogh. A a certain section of the line and sees periodical "Lloyd's Weekly News" things in perfect condition, things up to produced a piece by Harold Begbie. It date, provision for surgery and so forth deplored the way the 'English' appear ...... he comes back accordingly and to be sceptical about anyone who tells the right hon. Gentleman what he makes a success of an organisation, has seen...... all I can say is that quoting the scandal of the case of Lord here is a very great conflict of Haldane, who was hounded out of testimony upon this point (the office in 1914 as he was accused of efficiency of the Medical Service) and being pro-German, the country thus that there are other authorities, hardly losing a politician of immense stature less eminent than Sir Frederick and efficiency. He goes on: "Another Treves, who are quite prepared to give case is in danger of such a criminal quite a different view." end. Sir Alfred Keogh, Director General of the Royal Army Medical Mr McNeill went on to describe the Corps, has exposed himself to reorganisation of the RAMC after the criticism by circulating a private letter South African War and that part of that to his medical officers on the subject of reorganisation was that the "RAMC recruiting. Whether this is right or shall be under the supervision of a wrong in this matter I do not know. But Board to be called the Advisory Board this I do know, that, if there is one man for the Army Medical Services". The in this country to whom every parent Board was to have upon it civil with sons in the Army owes an surgeons and physicians who would unpayable debt of gratitude, it is Sir be appointed by the Crown. He Alfred Keogh. Yet this man of pointed out that the Advisory Board consummate genius, this man who had not been called since the sacrificed the well-earned liberty and outbreak of the war, with the excuse ease of retirement to serve his country of the Minister for War that it was in an hour of crisis, becomes a target desirable to modify administrative for the insolent and disgraceful abuse machinery created in peace time to of our intemperate journalists. " meet the requirements of War. He later goes on, "one of the surgeons in Europe said to me the other day that Becoming sarcastic, Mr McNeill said "I Sir Alfred Keogh had saved more lives must say, I think that is about as in this War than any physician of the amazing an opinion ... as it is possible most confident optimism would have dared to predict possible six months brave soldiers and even to the civil before the War broke out. Moreover he population. Think what a triumph it pointed out; Sir Alfred Keogh had would be to the swine’s that have been brought absolute order out of the most attacking you. That reason alone appalling chaos at the beginning of the should prevent an Irishman from War. The medical machine broke putting on his coat. .. Lunched at the down without its master. A lady and Reform today with some big journalists gentleman, who saw in France the and they were unanimous that you fearful collapse of that machine, must be supported against all arriving in London, drove straight to comers...The vast majority of the the hose of the Prime Minister and profession are your sincere admirers from the Prime Minister went straight and when necessary, your backers. to Lord Kitchener. The result of their Therefore, your clear duty is to go right appeal (and the lady stuck to her guns on and utter!)' Disregard the yappers, till she got her way) was the recall of leave them to your friends to deal Sir Alfred Keogh and from the moment with." when he laid hands on his machine it Dr Donald MacAlister was writing on worked with an efficiency which has 6th June 1916, when the criticisms been the wonder of the scientific were still being published: world." "Your last remark dismays me and for the country's sake I earnestly beg that The piece goes on to describe how the you will put all thoughts of AK RAMC was reorganised under out of your mind till your duty is Haldane and Keogh before the war finished, there are only 2 K's you and how sanitation became universal should pay attention to, the other K & in the British Army thus saving yourself, confident in the knowledge countless lives from diseases, which in that these 2 K's have been prepared previous Wars had decimated armies. and sent to help our dearest country in Keogh was also bombarded with its trial hours. ...endure to the end." letters from the Medical and political world, all giving their support of him Letters of support not only came from against the likes of Professor Fripp. the famous. A major McKenzie RAMC wrote on 21st March 1916: Dr Donald MacAlister, Chairman of the General Medical Council, had "It was with consternation that I heard obviously heard from Keogh that he the report of your resignation, happily was contemplating resigning. He since contradicted. Amid all the writes on 22°d March 1916: exasperations of needless delays, checks and other futility that seem to "I have just received a cruel shock and form part of one's daily work, it has just when I was comforting myself that always been a solace to me to know all danger so such a thing was past I that you were there as a last court of have just heard that you are appeal in which one was sure of a 'determined to resign!' sympathetic hearing, a wise decision followed by prompt action. I sincerely For God's sake, for your country's trust you will long remain in command sake, don't do it. It would be a crime at of this tremendous work to which you such a moment. There is absolutely no have laid your hand and I feel sure that living man who could replace you you cannot realise the extent of the without grave loss and disaster to our appreciation and loyalty of all the officers who have the privilege of England to the many hospitals serving under you." specializing in the various skills of the Medical Profession. Sister Agnes Keyser, founder and Matron of King Edward VII's Hospital In the Times of November 4th for Officers, wrote on 20th 1916, Lord Northcliffe wrote a piece March 1916: describing the fate of the wounded in France, taking two whole pages in "My Dear old Friend, don't get praise for the system. In a leader the worried, don't get old. Anyhow it is same day the Times says: nice to feel that you are doing good work and that you have many very "The excellence of the Medical devoted friends. We have all got to Service has been fully recognised in a face difficulties and it is grand to general way from the first stages of the overcome them. I am always the War. It has been known by its same. results.... Whatever else may have gone wrong in the war, Affectionately yours, or fallen short of its purpose, this has Sister Agnes." not. It has exceeded expectation and Whilst all this turmoil was going on, accomplished wonders in the Keogh's daily workload did not maintenance of health and the care of diminish. There were many problems the wounded. The success was so to sort out in a war, which saw more complete and constant that it came to casualties than anyone thought be taken for granted and people possible. But still he was receiving ceased to think of it. Everyone with the private letters from the great and the slightest knowledge of previous good. Campaigns knew that such success could only be achieved by masterly On 25th May 1916, Sir Alfred was organisation and that behind the made an Honorary Member of the results must lay a record of capable Institute of Mining and Metallurgy 'in and devoted service unsurpassed by recognition of his eminent services any other in the whole story of the to the Cause of Scientific and War." Technological Education and his devotion to public duty as Acting There was much talk of his deserving Director of the Medical Department of a title to the House of Lords and it is His Majesty's Army during the present obvious that he was offered a War.' He is addressed as Rector of the Baronetcy, but turned it down. Imperial College of Science and Nevertheless, Keogh’s critics and Technology, a post he still held. enemies continued to snap at his heels. The problem of recruiting 1916 saw the appalling tragedy of the doctors at the same time ensuring that Battle of the Somme on the Western those at home had proper cover, gave Front. Casualties on an enormous some ammunition for them. scale were efficiently dealt with by the RAMC and the smooth organisation In addition Sir Alfred Fripp, Professor of the evacuation of the wounded from Sir Alexander Ogston, President of the the RAP's to the Field Ambulances, to BMA and Sir E. Cooper Perry the Casualty Clearing Stations to the produced a memorandum accusing Base Hospitals and, if necessary to the Army Medical Service of failing to recognise that civilian Medical Officers 235 Field Ambulances, 78 Casualty had an important administrative role. Clearing Stations, 63 Ambulance "But even worse was its failure to give Trains, 41 Stationary Hospitals, 80 adequate attention to the particular General Hospitals, 77 Hospital Ships medical skill of civilian practitioners ... with all the necessary laboratories, according to the memorandum there depots and medical stores, sanitary had been ' many complaints of Medical sections and other ancillary units in Officers being allocated to duty for proportion." which they are not so well qualified as for the other work." The news of Keogh 's resignation as Director of Medical Services, was It was obvious that Keogh was, at received with almost universal regret times, threatening to resign and return and he was inundated with letters from to the Imperial College, which was all sections of society. never far from his thoughts. The continuous attacks from the likes of Sir Alfred Fripp, in addition to the heavy workload, were Chapter Nine naturally irritating and time consuming, 1916 as the criticisms had to be researched and answered. However, any mention Resignation from the War Office of resigning was met with a barrage of Return to the Imperial College letters to tell him that to, would be a disaster for the Medical Service and The Birthday Honours for January for the Country and Empire and his 1918 included the award of the Grand duty was to stick it out and ignore his Cross of the Victorian Order (OCVO) enemies. by the King to Sir Alfred Keogh.

In August 1917, Keogh was elected a Perhaps the King had had word that "Grand Officer - Legion d'Honeur" by Keogh was going to finally resign from the President of France and the post of DGMS at the War Office permission was given by the War and return to working full time as Officer to wear the foreign decoration. Rector of the Imperial College of

Science and Technology. Lord Crewe The governors of the Imperial College and the Governors had been asking were now requesting that Keogh be the War Office for his return to released by the War Office and be Kensington for some time and certainly allowed to return as full time Rector. Keogh had had enough of the back The Medical Services were efficient biting and jealousies of some Medical and running well and Keogh supported colleagues and also needed a rest the Governors. In January 1918, from the awesome task he had been Keogh resigned from the post of carrying out for the previous three and DGMS. His place was taken by a half years. Colonel T.H.C.G. Goodwin the

Assistant DGMS. Keogh was inundated with letters from

Medical men, from the highest to "By 1918, The RAMC had humblest of soldiers in the RAMC. Sir expanded from a total strength Edward Wallington, Private Secretary 20,000 to 13,000 Officers and to Queen Mary, wrote from 154,000 Other Ranks. There were Buckingham Palace a long and happy life on your ''The Queen desires me to tell you retirement, mingled with a little golf how much she regrets your decision to and visits to your old friends. resign your appointment as Direct General AMS and to thank you very Yours sincerely, sincerely for the kind and prompt Herbert Wright." manner in which you have always responded to Her Majesty's many Keogh wrote to the members of the requests for advice. The Queen is Staff via Mr Gow on 3rd July, 1922: afraid a great deal of your time has been taken up in making enquiries into "Dear Mr Gow, rather trivial cases, but Her Majesty is confident that the sympathetic replies I have been very much touched by the have of the greatest comfort to the kind thought which the members of petitioner." your staff have given me on my And so it was that on reaching the age departure from the College. The of 65 in June 1922, Keogh retired from relations between them and me are the Rectorship of the Imperial College. amongst the happiest of my The Governors, at their meeting, recollections connected with the placed on record an expression of their College. That my high regard for sincere regret at the retirement of Sir them and my admiration for the Alfred Keogh from the office of Rector manner in which the duties of their and of their high appreciation of his respective offices have been carried services to the Imperial College during out, should have been reciprocated will the past twelve years. ever me to me a happy memory. May I ask you to convey to them bow greatly Letters of appreciation came from I regret my departure from them and many of the Professors and Staff of how warmly I appreciate their the Imperial College. One will suffice, kindness." from Herbert Wright, writing from Mincing Lane House, EC3: As a final postscript to his retirement, a piece in the local paper in Deal and "I want to say how much I shall miss Walmer appeared under the headline you on your retirement from J.C.. Present day students do not perhaps “Distinguished Visitor Viewed." realise the enormous changes which have taken place during your reign as Keogh was spending a holiday with his Rector, but as one who can look back friend General Sir Michael Russell, a on 25 years of J.C. development, I am colleague in the RAMC. The piece astounded at what has been goes on the say: accomplished in recent times. You "He spent his 65th Birthday at Walmer have served your country at large and on Tuesday and was interviewed by a J.C. students in particular, very well representative. With the modesty of a indeed. You have earned your rest and genius Sir Alfred was very reluctant to I hope you will live long to enjoy it. make any statement regarding his own Perhaps, when you have had a rest, achievements, though his career had you will feel inclined to again interest been one of exceptional distinction. yourself in biological work, in that I When our representative first called he hope you will be good enough to let found Sir Alfred had walked into Deal me know. Meanwhile, let me wish you with his host, but on a second call he was more fortunate, meeting Sir Alfred sick and wounded to the General and Sir Michael as they were walking Hospital which he commanded at up Castle Street. When our Pretoria and when as a subaltern I was representative had stated his errand, much impressed by the courtesy and Sir Alfred exclaimed "I loathe publicity hospitality which he showed me. I had of any kind. I came down here for quiet since heard so much about him from and rest and I can't understand how officers who know him well that I had the Press came to know I was down come to regard him as one of the most here." outstanding officers of our Service. When, some two years ago, I heard Sir Alfred said that the sole reason for that he had returned to London, I his retirement from the Imperial called on him, a very simple act of College was that he had reached the courtesy from a Director General to the age limit and must abide by the rule.... greatest of his predecessors. He was "I don't suppose I would have retired if frankly pleased and such was the it had not been compulsory. Still I modesty of the man that he seemed need and could well do with a rest." surprised to learn that his services were still remembered and Chapter Ten appreciated." Retirement and Obscurity It was General Hartigan who ordered that the new Barracks being built at In the aftermath of the 1914-18 War, Ash Vale for the Army School of books, articles and papers were Hygiene should be called "Keogh printing 'post-mortems' on how the Barracks". The Barracks is now the war was fought and criticising those Depot and Training Centre for the responsible for waging the War. Keogh Royal Medical Corps must have known this would occur and . when he left the War Office in 1918, he On July 30th 1936, Sir Alfred Keogh removed all his personal files. He had, died aged 79. His body was taken to most probably, been outspoken at the Military Chapel, Chapel of the Holy times and been critical of many Souls, in Westminster Cathedral where soldiers and civilians. it lay in state for two days before the

funeral on August l5th 1936. He and Camilla decided to leave the country and live in France, when he Requiem Mass was celebrated in retired from the Imperial College. I Westminster Cathedral. The King was think he probably wanted to be represented by General Hartigan and somewhere where the British Press the Duke of Connaught was also could not get hold of him for his represented. The family were opinions. accompanied by many from the

Medical Profession both military and Lieutenant General Sir James Hartigan civil, nurse from the QAIMNS, was DGMS in the 1930's and a young representatives from the Red Cross officer when Sir Alfred was DGMS. He Society and Order of St John of later wrote: Jerusalem ; Senior Officers from the

Army, The Rector and others from the "Until the last couple of years of his life Imperial College, as well as many my acquaintanceship with him was personal friends. The bearer part was limited to a single meeting in the South provided by the Royal Army Medical African War when I took a convoy of Corps. The Interment was at for support through thick and thin. He Marylebone Cemetery, Finchley. did not worry much about details, but kept a firm hold on everything of His mind was always open to new importance and his clear vision and ideas. He would read closely letters quick decision enabled him to carry from cranks and quacks in case there through the immense amount of work should be some idea in them, which which the rapid expansion of the would be worth following up. When the medical service involved . He was in need was urgent he would break close touch with the leaders of the through all rule and routine and brave medical profession and the leading the wrath of Departments nominally scientists and relied upon them for set over him. Nothing could have been advice when any technical subject quicker and more efficient that the cropped up in which their special response of his Department to the knowledge would be of use. Though a sudden call on it to find the counter to man of strong views, he was always the unexpected German gas attack willing to discuss any decision which at Festubert in 1915. That was one of he was about to make and was quite the greater emergencies of the War prepared to alter it if he could be and all competent chemists were at convinced that an alteration would be once mobilised to meet it, with the better policy. He appeared to see by result that adequate gasmasks were intuition what lesser men could being turned out by scores of appreciate only after long and anxious thousands before the week was out thought. He was a marvellous judge of and provision being made to supply men and knew exactly how to use their our Allies. qualifications and limitations when making appointments. If they failed The fighting soldiers have had their and few of them did, they were at once need of praise and blame and their relegated to positions of less rewards from Parliament and the importance. His relations with the public. Keogh just slipped away when heads of other branches of the War his work was done and the present Office were most cordial and his generation would, I suppose, be advice was often asked on subjects surprised to learn that he was one of other than those on which his own the men who won the War. That is, department was especially concerned. nevertheless, far truer of him than of He was a quick worker and had a mind most men for whom this claim is made of great adaptability which enabled him and he ought not to pass from the to tum from one subject to another scene without a warm tribute of without a pause. His tact, patience and gratitude from his countrymen. courtesy in dealing with the endless chain of interviewers and deputations Sir Percy Blenkinsop wrote in the which crowded round his office where Lancet: astounding: and, though it was “Those of us who had the privilege of impossible to please all of them, they working under Sir Alfred Keogh in the went away satisfied that they had had War Office during the Great War will a fair hearing. Busy as he was, he always remember him with admiration always seemed to have time for an and affection. He knew exactly how far enormous amount of correspondence he could delegate responsibility and if and I still have long letters in his own one was fortunate enough to gain his handwriting which she sent me when I confidence; one could rely upon him was in Mesopotamia. When he became Director General for the second time he had the gratification of TURNING OF THE PAGE seeing how well the organisation of Medical Services, for which he was CEREMONY – WESTMINSTER almost entirely responsible, bore the ABBEY strain of the greatest War in history. WO1 (Comd SM) M Brabin the Army The RAMC College is only one Medical Services Command Sergeant memorial of its founder, Sir Alfred Major has kindly provided me with the Keogh. His great service to his country dates for the TOP Ceremony for 2016 and to the Corps he loved so well can never be forgotten. DATE UNIT

For Further Reading Sat 2 Apr 16 203 (Welsh) Fd Hosp 1. "Centenary History of the Royal Army Medical Corps 1898-1998" by Dr Sat 7 May 16 2 Med Regt John S.G. Blair. The 2°d Edition is published by Inyx publishing, the ISBN Sat 1 Jul 16 22 Fd Hosp 0-9540583-2-1. The 1st edition was published by Scottish Academic Press. Sat 1 Oct 16 253 (NI) Med Regt The book was originally to be published by the RAMC, but Blair (a Sat 3 Dec 16 DCHET TA RAMC Colonel), is very critical in the last two chapters of those who DCHET – Defence Centre for Health have been in charge over the last few Education and Training. (the new years and of the RAMC in the phase 2 training establishment at Falklands and the first Gulf. The Whittington Barracks, Litchfield). RAMC refused to publish unless he amended these chapters; he refused The Books are now located at the front and published it privately. of Westminster Abbey under the RAMC windows. 2. "Doctors in the Great War" by Ian R. Whitehead, published by Leo The Ceremony always starts at Cooper in 1999. ISBN 0 85052 691 4. 1100 hours sharp.

I have been in touch with Peter May Those wishing to attend should be in who is now retired and working for at the designated location before the Ministry of Defence in Germany. 1045hrs so that they can be in position He has granted me permission to and, if they need a seat then earlier as publish the manuscript and give it there are only approximately 20 seats. the widest publicity within the Corps. I would like to thank him for Those attending should state that allowing me to share this with you they are attending the RAMC Service all. and will be allowed in.

This is the final article and if Are there any members who have members would like a PDF version performed the Turning of the Page of this article then please contact Ceremony and, would they like to me. share their experience with us? NEW CHAIRMAN RAMC/RADC OLD BOYS REUNION DINNER CLUB

Dom D'Mello has accepted the appointment of Chairman RAMC/RADC Old Boys Reunion Dinner Club from Frank Davis and assumed the appointment with effect 22nd August 2015. Anyone wanting information on the 2017 Old Boys Reunion please contact Dom D’Mello on [email protected]

I am sure all those ex boys out there In Pensioner Bill Watt passed away on who have attended one of the Old th Boys Reunions, appreciate how much 6 January 2016 Royal Chelsea work Frank puts into organizing such Hospital. an event for us. I would like to on your behalf thank Frank for the hard work RIP Bill and long hours that he has put in over the years. Enjoy life to the full Frank, especially the next Old Boys Reunion. Thank you from us all for what you have done.

ABSENT BRETHERN

Harry Ramdharry passed away on 4th January 2016 at Frimley Park Hospital

RIP Harry

Marty Ball passed away on 6th January 2016 at home.

RIP Marty