187 Field Ambulance - War Diary August 1942
1st August 1942 – KINGTON.
10:00 hours – Unit visited by Major-General G.A. Blake K.H.S. Deputy Director of Medical Services, Western Command. Ceremonial parade was held, which the DDMS inspected, after which he reviewed the Unit on March Past. He then inspected the Camp. Colonel J.E. Rusby and Major Johnstone, ADMS and DADMS 49th Division respectively were present.
2nd August 1942 – KINGTON.
Routine.
3rd August 1942 – KINGTON.
Two NCOs from Coventry Home Guard attached for six days’ training.
4th August 1942 – KINGTON.
Stretcher Bearers from Brigade Units arrive for Stretcher Bearer Course beginning tomorrow. A Course of Instruction for Nursing Orderly Class III also begins tomorrow.
Unit visited by Major Liddell, G2 49th Division.
5th – 6th August 1942 – KINGTON.
Routine.
7th August 1942 – KINGTON.
Demonstration of use of Case W.T. Poisons to Regimental Medical Officers of the Brigade Group. ADMS 49th Division came to see the demonstration.
8th August 1942 – KINGTON.
Routine. Warning Order received about the move of 35 Field Hygiene Section to this Camp.
9th August 1942 – KINGTON.
Routine.
10th August 1942 – KINGTON.
11:30 hours – Personnel of 35 Field Hygiene Section were attached to this Unit for rations and accommodation.
11th August 1942 – KINGTON.
Routine. Conference of CO’s at ADMS’s office.
12th August 1942 – KINGTON.
06:00 hours – Divisional Exercise “Monte Carlo” begins. Three vehicles from this Unit selected – one 10 hp car utility, one 30cwt truck, one motorcycle.
At the end of the first day the Unit holds second place, having obtained 570 marks out of a possible 600, being second to 49th Division Transport Company with 575. As the 49th Divisional Transport Company has the Divisional Workshops this is a very good result. This Unit got the highest marks for maintenance, being nine points ahead of the 49th Divisional Transport Company.
13th August 1942 – KINGTON.
“Monte Carlo” continues. Reliability trial takes place today followed by final inspection. All vehicles from this Unit completed the course and all got full marks for condition on final inspection. We now await the result of the road test and have high hopes of winning the trophy.
14th August 1942 – KINGTON.
Routine.
15th August 1942 – KINGTON.
ADMS 49th Division informed us that the Unit had won first place in “Monte Carlo”.
16th August 1942 – KINGTON.
Brigade Sports held at Kington Public Park. The Unit acquitted itself well in competition with the Battalions.
17th – 18th August 1942 – KINGTON.
Routine.
19th August 1942 – KINGTON.
14:30 hours – Gas Demonstration at Brigade HQ. Mustard and Phosgene used. Conference at Brigade HQ.
20th August 1942 – KINGTON.
06:30 hours – CO goes on recce for winter quarters.
21st August 1942 – KINGTON.
14:30 hours – Demonstration and lecture on medical aspects of Gas Warfare by Captain HILL RAMC (C W).
Official information received that the Unit took first place in the Monte Carlo reliability trial. Marks were as follows:-
Serviceability Max 300 Attained 286 Maintenance Max 300 Attained 284 Performance Max 300 Attained 286 First Place Final Inspection Max 100 Attained 100 TOTAL Max 1,000 Attained 956
22nd August 1942 – KINGTON.
Routine.
23rd August 1942 – KINGTON.
05:45 hours – Unit leaves for concentration area on Exercise Hotspur. HQ remains on wheels. A Company opens Advanced Dressing Station. No work for the Field Ambulance. Troops are moving into position and preparing defences, weapon pits and minefields.
24th August 1942
Locations unchanged. Night patrolling took place during the evening. 16 Exercise casualties admitted.
25th August 1942
Exercise Hotspur ended 12:00 hours.
26th August 1942 – KINGTON.
15:00 hours – Conference with ADMS.
27th August 1942 – KINGTON.
Conference for Exercise “Juniper” . HQ Light Section are providing the First Aid Posts and Dressing Stations in the event of casualties.
29th August 1942 – KINGTON.
Exercise Juniper ends.
30th – 31st August 1942 – KINGTON.
Routine.
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