187 Field Ambulance - War Diary May 1941
5th May 1941 HARLEY STREET CAMP
11:00 hours. The weather has been very fine during past ten days and this has enabled good Route Marches etc. to be taken, but unfortunately have just heard that Unit must supply fatigues to clean up large dump of refuse on Hafnafjordur Road, this was apparently left by Canadians and will take a long time to clean up, and completely block out other work.
Considerable progress has been made with Camp improvement and huts now have small ? gardens outside. Unit is getting seeds and planting small garden. Many huts are now going up alongside this Camp and soon we shall be surrounded by huts.
12th May 1941
11:00 hours. Weather has changed and is damp and rainy, apparently this was the type of weather that was experienced when troops landed in 1940. It looks as if unpleasant weather will carry on for several months.
Fatigues on dump continue and completely block all training. Officers’ class in Map-reading has, however, started.
23rd May 1941
11:00 hours. The Field Ambulance took part in a very instructive exercise with DLI - a test of the Regimental arrangements for evacuation of wounded. This proved very successful in bringing out points and should have helped the (? combatants) of the Field Ambulance. Report etc attached to the War Diary as Appendix A – for details see below.
The Field Ambulance has also taken part in the landing and conveyance of many survivors from sunken ships.
27th May 1941
11:00 hours. Major Browne, after obtaining leave from ADMS, went round proposed route of Marches of the Field Ambulance Companies. The proposal is for each Company to go out for a week’s march using tents at a distance of 94 miles, this will give everybody a break away from nursing and of present work and also experience in camping. A Company should leave on 1st June 1941.
31st May 1941
14:00 hours. Lt Corr left to rejoin Hospital Ship Leinster which is returning home.
15:00 hours. Football team lost in semi-final 4 to 0 to DLI but this team has eight professionals in it and it is hardly to be expected that a small unit such as a Field Ambulance could stand up to this.
Appendices attached to the May 1941 War Diary of 187 Field Ambulance.
Appendix A – Administrative Exercises held by 11th DLI and 187 Field Ambulance on Thursday 22nd May 1941.
Administrative Instructions – Casualty Exercise – to take place on Thursday 22nd May 1941.
The Object is to practise the Medical Officer and Stretcher Bearers of the Battalion (in collaboration with 187 Field Ambulance) in the treatment of casualties and in their collection and evacuation under the Hafnafjordur Sub-Sector Defence Scheme.
Troops taking part:-
All Battalion Medical personnel.
Other Ranks detailed as casualties.
A detachment of 187 Field Ambulance RAMC.
The exercise will commence at 09:30 hours when Regimental Aid Post, Sub-Unit Collecting Posts (Companies in 11th DLI only; other units in the Sub-Sector are not included), and Advanced Dressing Station will be established in accordance with Sub-Sector Operational Order, para 37.
The exercise will probably end about 13:00 hours.
Umpires.
The Chief Umpire will be Captain Morris, assisted by Captain Waistell, Lt Rowell, 2/Lt Dunnell and 2/Lt MacNicol. 187 Field Ambulance are also providing Umpires.
Officers Commanding Companies should interest themselves in this exercise and be prepared to make recommendations as to procedure.
Separate Orders are being issued to Captain Morris re detailing of casualties etc. who will arrange details with Assistant Umpires and Companies.
Report on the Exercise.
The aim of the exercise was to practise evacuation of wounded from posts to Regimental Aid Post and thence to Advanced Dressing Station.
The Battalion hold a number of posts spread over a wide area in and around Hafnafjordur.
Battalion Stretcher Bearers are distributed to Company HQs and these men collect casualties from outlying posts and bring them into Company HQ. These HQs are in telephonic communication with the Regimental Aid Post and an ambulance is allotted to the Battalion HQ by 187 Field Ambulance.
The Regimental Aid Post is situated in the Dining Room of OSMOTHERBY CAMP.
Remarks on the Exercise.
The exercise started at 10:30 hrs and 10 stretcher cases and 27 walking wounded were collected from the following positions – VALERHIE, CLOISTERS, TOWN and GARDUR. The first cases arrived at the Regimental Aid Post at 11:30 hours.
Position of the Regimental Aid Post – this would seem to be the most suitable site as, although it was rather far back from some Posts, and it is in front of GARDUR, it has the following advantages –
It is well clear of Town and avoids all chance of traffic congestion.
It is in an open position with plenty of room for manoeuvring ambulances and vehicles.
It is very easily found.
Work at Company HQ.
In the practice casualties were not dressed and although the Stretcher Bearers had Shell Dressing Haversacks, the question of providing such important items as Thomas’ Splints, Tourniquets, Triangular Bandages, Iodine etc. for each Post requires consideration. Hot tea and other drinks can be provided from the Company Cookhouses.
Each Company will also require a supply of blankets for covering patients who are awaiting removal to the Regimental Aid Post. These were conspicuous by their absence.
Stretcher Bearers.
Stretcher Bearers had to work very much on their own at Company HQ and therefore a high standard of First Aid knowledge will be required. It was noted that when the Stretcher Squad left the Company HQ there was nobody left behind to look after any wounded who may be left behind there.
An extra Stretcher Bearer will be required in each HQ to :-
Act as relief Stretcher Bearer.
Look after any wounded left at the HQ while the Stretcher Squad is away.
Reading of labels.
Several cases occurred where very little attention was paid to the nature of the wounds written on the labels and one broken thigh and one severe chest wound were allocated to walk.
Marshalling of wounded.
In the present exercise most wounded were visualised as occurring at the same time. Stretcher Bearers could therefore go out and collect cases and bring in walking wounded. It is most important that wounded not be allowed to dribble back on their own – they often fall by the wayside or lose their way.
Loading of Ambulances.
More practice is required in the loading of ambulances.
Communication.
In many cases ambulances were asked for but no mention was made of :-
The nature of wounds.
The number of wounded.
It is a great waste of time and petrol to send out ambulances for one or two slightly wounded cases.
Work at the Regimental Aid Post.
More systematic work is required in :-
Sorting out the wounded.
In the method of filling in cards.
With regard to the former it is suggested that the Medical Inspection Room Orderly could deal with all minor cases, after they have been sorted by the Medical Officer, leaving the Medical Officer free to deal with serious cases. In regard to the filling of cards, it is suggested that the Medical Officer’s Batman be trained to act in the capacity of a Clerk.
Every effort should be made to get rid of patients as soon as possible. This particularly applies to cases who should be got back to the Advanced Dressing Station as rapidly as possible.
It is suggested that it would have been good practice if someone had been detailed to supply hot drinks to the wounded at the Regimental Aid Post.
Road Signs.
In some cases these were turned round the other way. This is of considerable importance. It would be of great help if definite signs could be put outside the Company Collecting Posts.
Stretcher Bearers’ Rifles.
One of the Combatant Officers pointed out that the Stretcher Bearers had great difficulty in carrying their rifles when carrying the wounded. This would appear to be a question for the Officer Commanding the Battalion.
Use of Transport.
Full use was not made of available Regimental Transport. Any returning empty lorries etc. should be used in an emergency.
Supply of stretchers.
Owing to the scattered nature of the Posts and length of carries, it is suggested that a further allotment of six stretchers might be made from higher formations to units holding widely scattered Posts.
Position of Units in the area to whom a Medical Officer is not allotted.
Several small formations are scattered around this area, who, in the event of hostilities taking place, would have no Medical Officer allotted to them, and under the present circumstances these would automatically have to go to the nearest Medical Post e.g. the Regimental Aid Post of the 11th DLI. Further consideration will have to be given to the medical arrangements of these units.
Signed – J.P. Macnamara Lt Col RAMC
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