187 Field Ambulance - War Diary December 1941

1st December 1941

Was called down to DADMS Office on 27th November and told in secrecy that the unit was leaving Iceland soon and given Movement Order – Most Secret – regarding embarkation. Later was told that vehicles were not going with us.

Leave party disembarked and unfortunately with them Captain Smith, who was due to go on a Mule Course in England. Apparently some slip-up on the part of ? He had to go back at once.

Major Browne and Lt McGowan left with leave party, these will not return nor will the previous trip. Unfortunately McGowan did not take his kit from Reykerskoli, so told him to write and say he was returning to Field Ambulance after leave and wanted his kit.

6th December 1941

12:00 hours – Called to Conference at ? and told G 1098 and 1248 (stores and equipment) to be got on board by Tuesday 8th December so had to get going at once. Have to draw in all men and Ambulances for their blankets etc. Went round with Major Beasley the US Army Senior Medical Officer and showed him our work and arranged to meet his Medical Officers on Monday 7th at 08:45 hours.

Americans will place a small detachment in Camp but will not occupy it for some time, contenting themselves with running the Medical Inspection Rooms.  ? Camp to be handed over to 160th Field Ambulance.  ? ? is having its orders replaced by 160th Field Ambulance.

10th December 1941

Americans have taken over completely, no fuss, no bother. Have handed over two Ambulances and two cars to them. 160th Field Ambulance have taken over ? Camp.

12th December 1941

Unit is to embark on 14th January (this may have been a manuscript error and probably should have read December) but this is dependent on various factors such as arrival of boat and weather.

13th December 1941

11:00 hours – Informed that embarkation will not now take place on 14th – some muddle over transport for taking unit to docks as letter misunderstood. Fixed this.

14th December 1941

11:00 hours – Nothing heard re. embarkation.

15th December 1941

11:00 hours – No news.

18th December 1941

11:00 hours – After innumerable orders and counter-orders the unit left Camp at 14:00 hours and marched to the docks – embarking on SS Orbita. The unit was kept hanging about the bay for over two hours in a storm of sleet. It is a pity that better arrangements for ? cannot be made.

16:00 hours - Embarkation was difficult as there was a high sea running and everything had to be manhandled up the gangway by a chain of men from the unit, this took a long time but everything was on board by 19:30 hours. The boat is rather crowded as regards the troop decks but Officers are very well off.

19th December 1941

10:00 hours – At sea, having left in the early hours of 19th December. Fairly rough and ship rolling considerably. Good number of men sick. Speed appears to be slow most probably due to the difficulty of escorting destroyers in putting on pace in a sea which is a heavy one.

20th December 1941

12:00 hours – Weather and sea still stormy and men pretty seasick.

23rd December 1941

15:00 hours – Arrived Gourock but unfortunate that Field Ambulance will not disembark till 24th with the exception of 84 men who have not had leave while in Iceland and who are now to be given 14 days disembarkation leave. Had received notice of this before leaving Iceland and was able to get a table sent in ? to pay them and also was able to get all leave passes, ration cards etc made out on the boat. Paymaster came on board and paid men out. Arrangements seemed a touch chaotic ? ? ? Nobody was much impressed by organisation. Unit to remain on board till 24th .

24th December 1941

14:00 hours - Unit disembarked about one o’clock and left for station – train being due to leave at 15:00 hours.

25th December 1941 Velindre

10:00 hours - After a very good comfortable journey unit arrived at ? Station. Here it was met by transport by Captain McNichol and taken to billets in Cilwendy. This is a very good billet with plenty of sleeping accommodation and food, kitchen and stores. The Officers’ Mess is however poor and very cold, there is a hut for sleeping quarters but this is very poor accommodation and the last unit here was billeted out.

26th December 1941

12:00 hours – Settling in – a very good meal was supplied to unit on ? yesterday and all men were comfortably housed. Having their Christmas dinner today and brought a lot of stuff e.g. plum puddings, from Iceland.

31st December 1941

Men from leave in Iceland arrived back and with few exceptions have all returned and found their way here.

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