Wounded Belgian Soldiers: Anglesey Local newspapers published details of the wounded Belgian Soldiers who were taken to Anglesey in the early days of the First World War. They also listed names of the wounded, and which hospital they were sent to. Unfortunately, the copies are poor, but the Belgian language newspaper “De stem uit België” carried a clearer list in the same year which also listed regiments / battalions. We’ve cross-referenced the two reports to complete the list of wounded soldiers The North Wales Chronicle, October 30th, 1914 WOUNDED BELGIAN SOLDIERS AT HOLYHEAD FIFTY MEN ACCOMMODATED Fifty wounded Belgian soldiers arrived at Holyhead, on Tuesday morning, and were accorded an enthusiastic reception by a tremendous crowd, which assembled at the Railway Station. Cheer after cheer greeted the brave men as they made their appearance, and they seemed much pleased at the cordiality of the welcome extended to them. For some time past the spacious assembly room attached to the Co-Operative Stores, Holborn-road, has been occupied by the local detachment of the Red Cross Society who have made it their headquarters. It has been fitted up as a hospital, and care has been taken to see that nothing has been omitted, with the result that it is replete with all the necessaries which are needed for the complete equipment of a modern hospital of its kind. Miss Burr (the Commandant) and the members of her detachment were not given much time to make the arrangements necessary for receiving the wounded soldiers, for it was only the previous day that intimation was received from the War Office to the effect that the authorities desired to send fifty Belgian convalescent soldiers from Kent to Holyhead, for the purpose of recruiting their health. Notwithstanding the short notice received, everything was in readiness for their reception, and upon their arrival at ten o'clock, on Tuesday morning, they were met and welcomed by Miss Burr and the members of her detachment, together with Dr. T. W. Clay, honorary medical officer to the Corps of Red Cross Nurses, and Admiral Burr. Mrs Udall, of the Darien Hotel, Trearddur Bay, had placed the hotel at the disposal of the soldiers, thirty-six of whom were driven there in motor cars, which had been lent for the purpose by Mr. Arthur F. Pearson (High-Sheriff of Anglesey), Dr. T. W. Clay (two cars), Mrs. Davies, Treffos (two cars). Mrs. Turner, Menai Bridge; Dr. Fox-Russell, Captain McKinstry, and Mr. J. Caw (who provided several from the motor-garage). Upon arriving at the Darien Hotel, the soldiers were received by Mrs. Udall and some members of the Red Cross Society. The remainder were taken to the Holborn Red Cross Hospital where they were received by Mrs. Clay (Vice-Commandant) and Miss Tessie Thomas, and their immediate wants attended to. The nurses vied with one another to make their guests as comfortable as possible, and that their efforts were successful was made abundantly evident by the beaming countenances of the wounded soldiers, as they endeavoured by word and gesture to thank the nurses, one or two of whom were able to converse with the soldiers in the French language. Dr. Clay rendered most valuable assistance, and superintended the arrangements made for the comfort of the soldiers, whose wounds are dressed by him every day. A message has been received from the War Office stating that the men will remain in the hospital for a fortnight, and that at the end of that time those who will be fit to resume active service will proceed to the front. On Wednesday night the men were, at the invitation of Mr. McCormack, taken to the first “house” at the Town Hall, where they were given a great reception by a crowded audience. Yesterday afternoon (Thursday) the men visited the Convent, where they had been invited to dinner by the Mother Superior. Miss Burr and the members of her detachment desire to express their gratitude for the gifts which have been received in the way of provisions, clothing, bedding, etc. Any further gifts, particularly underclothing and socks, will be welcomed either at the Darien Hotel or the Holborn Hospital. Our Holyhead representative visited the local hospital yesterday (Thursday) afternoon, and found the men variously engaged, all seeming quite contented and happy in their temporary home, where they are surrounded by every comfort, and every effort is being made by the nurses to make their stay as pleasant as possible. Indeed, the nurses are indefatigable in their endeavours in this direction. When questioned by our representative, one of the soldiers, in broken English, said: "We are very happy and comfortable here. We want, for nothing. The nurses, oh yes, they are kind, truly.” When Mr. David Jones took the men some French magazines presented by the Rev. W. G. Roberts, their joy was unbounded, and manifested itself in their expressions of gratefulness. Some of the men are looking forward to re-joining their brave comrades in the firing line at an early date. One soldier related how, on one occasion, he managed to get into a house which had just been vacated by some Germans. Climbing on the roof, he commenced picking them out one by one, until he accounted for no fewer than thirty of the enemy. Another stated that no fewer than 15,000 Germans were either killed or wounded in a one day's fight. Yet another testified to seeing a German cutting off the hands of a little child, and severing the head from the body of an-other. We have been requested to state that the Red Cross Detachment would feel grateful if the people of the town would not treat the men to drink, as it is only mistaken kindness and leads to much trouble. The North Wales Advertiser (30/10/1914) discussed the welcome given to the wounded: A MESSAGE OF WELCOME The reception of the soldiers at the Town Hall was something to be remembered, the entrance of the first being the signal for vociferous cheering. A message of welcome in French was thrown on the screen: "Bravo, soldiers of Belgium. In the name of the inhabitants of Holyhead, we wish to welcome you to our town, where we trust you will find peace and quietness after the stirring times through which you have passed. In common with everyone in the British Isles, we admire beyond expression your marvellous and heroic defence of your gallant little country against the Kaiser's hordes, and confident that the enemy will be driven back by the Allies, we trust that peace will be restored to your stricken country. Union is strength.” This was loudly cheered by the Belgian soldiers, the band then playing “Brabançonne,” the Belgian National Anthem, all the soldiers standing at attention. This was followed by the “Marseillaise”, the Russian National Hymn, “Rule Britannia,” and the Welsh National Anthem, the audience joining heartily in the latter. Before the close of the performance the Belgian Sergeant-Major, in French, thanked all present for the warmth of their Welcome. The entertainment concluded with the English and Belgian National Anthems. The soldiers from the Darien Hotel will be entertained at the Town Hall on Saturday afternoon. Those who were fit to return to active duty did indeed do so - as reported in the Llangollen Advertiser on November 20th, 1914: Twenty-four of the fifty wounded Belgian soldiers who have been recuperating at the Holborn Red Cross Hospital, and the Darien Hotel, Trearddur Bay and who have once again become fit for active service, left Holyhead for Folkestone on Wednesday for the front. On Tuesday six Red Cross motors passed through Llangollen en-route to Holyhead, conveying Belgian wounded. They drove up for a short period at the Refugee House in Berwyn-street. The list of Soldiers accommodated at the hospitals on Anglesey, complied from information contained in The North Wales Advertiser and De stem uit België. (Most of the soldiers at the Darien Hotel were suffering from shrapnel and bullet wounds. There were two amputations performed and two soldiers treated for rheumatism. One soldier had a bullet lodged in his spine). Siméon Andry of Liège (14 Ligne) admitted to The Dorien Hotel. Pierre Joseph Ansiaux (4 Ligne) admitted to The Dorien Hotel. Réné Baurt (27 Ligne) admitted to The Dorien Hotel. Fernand Bogaerds of Anvers (2 Ligne). Injury: Rheumatism & spitting blood, admitted to Holborn Road. Georges Bouck (2 Chas. Chev.) admitted to The Dorien Hotel. Alphonse Burgmans (5 Ligne) admitted to The Dorien Hotel. Clément Carpentier (1 Car.) admitted to The Dorien Hotel. ... Edgard Chanet of Auderghen (Sergt. 2 Car.). Injury: Shrapnel wound to the jaw ,admitted to Holborn Road. Emile Charlier of Marcinelle (Gendarmerie) admitted to The Dorien Hotel. René Claeys of Knesselaere (23 Ligne). Injury: Amputated finger and fractured scapula, admitted to Holborn Road. Gérard de Greef of Schaerbeek (Art. de Siege) admitted to The Dorien Hotel. Jean Declercq of Berchem Anvers (2 Ligne) admitted to Holborn Road. Gérard Degreef (Art.) admitted to The Dorien Hotel. Antoine Dejoy of Nimy (Gendarmerie). Injury: Ulcer, admitted to Holborn Road. Gabriel Derache (Vol. 2 Car.) admitted to The Dorien Hotel. Henri Dertoghe of Mouscron (5 Chas. Pied) admitted to The Dorien Hotel. Jean Deruysscher of Esschen (1 Car.) admitted to The Dorien Hotel. Fernand Desablance (12 Gren.) admitted to The Dorien Hotel. ... Théophile d'Herde (1 Gren.) admitted to The Dorien Hotel. Léon Dierickx of Snaeskerke (4 Art.) admitted to The Dorien Hotel. Jules Fievet (1 Gren.) admitted to The Dorien Hotel Désirée Gilbert (13 Ligne, (Vol.). Injury: Bullet wound to the arm, admitted to Holborn Road.