33rd Field Hygiene Section War Diary - May 1940
1 May 1940 – Miraumont.
Personnel occupied in preparation of model camp and model grounds for instructional purposes.
Officer Commanding – Major G A W Neill, RAMC, engaged in reconnaissance and preliminary inspection of camps occupied by Units of Division and in forming contacts with Officers Commanding Units and Regimental Medical Officers.
7 May 1940
Corporal Golding, Privates Basey and Bryant commenced inspectional work as Sanitary Assistants amongst Units of the 69th Infantry Brigade.
8 – 9 May 1940
General Unit routine as above. Workshops staff engaged on preparing improvised urinals of which there was a shortage within Divisional area.
10 May 1940
Unit engaged in digging P.A.D. slit trenches, in moving camp to other side of River ANCRE, camouflaging tents and building necessary bridges, sanitary arrangements etc. Enemy aircraft heard overhead – some A.A. fire followed by five or six heavy explosions. It transpired that a number of bombs had been dropped on the Royal Engineers constructional camp at GREVILLERS some 2 miles away. Later Official news reported the invasion of Holland and Belgium by Germany.
11 May 1940
Officer Commanding in Bavincourt to contact Officer Commanding No. 8 Field Hygiene Section.
Unit personnel continue to be engaged in P.A.D. measures.
12 May 1940
Unit “stood to” from 03:45 hours to 04:45 hours after numerous air raid warnings. Much enemy air activity, but no bombing adjacent to Unit itself.
13 May 1940
Course of instruction for water duty personnel commenced under Corporal Jenkinson. Several air raid alarms experienced.
14 May 1940
Officer Commanding to GHQ to contact D. of H. This was unsuccessful.
Visit was, however, paid to No. 8 Field Hygiene Section.
15 May 1940
Several air raids but no bombs anywhere near Unit.
16 May 1940
Course concluded and water duty personnel examined on duties and returned to their Units.
17 May 1940
09:30 hours. Acting ADMS Lt Col J V McNally, RAMC, Officer Commanding 186 Field Ambulance called to 23rd Divisional Conference, returned at 10:30 hours and reported that a mechanised column had broken the French line and that the Division would be called upon to take part in Operations and to hold a specified line.
11:00 hours. Orders were given to the Unit to strike camp and concentrate on the Model Farm with 186th Field Ambulance. This was carried out by 15:00 hours. An Order was then issued converting the Hygiene Section into a Bearer Section (see Appendix 1 attached to the War Diary) for the purpose of dealing with casualties in the immediate vicinity of MIRAUMONT.
16:00 hours. Several refugee casualties from aerial machine gun fire were treated as also were some from convoys who had been attacked by enemy Armoured Fighting Vehicles.
20:00 hours. Lights out. Entire Unit slept in cow stables at Model Farm.
18 May 1940
Unit transport handed over to 186th Field Ambulance on understanding that it would be replaced with equivalent when move was necessary. Day spent in training personnel in First Aid measures. Air raids every two hours but none in the vicinity of Unit.
20:00 hours. Lights out.
19 May 1940
02:30 hours. Message received from HQ 23rd Division – move forthwith to GHQ area BAVINCOURT – AVESNES LE COMTE. Unit packed up all equipment in 3-ton lorry provided by 186 Field Ambulance in lieu of Unit transport which was with Field Ambulance Companies. Personnel were to travel in 2 ambulance cars of 186 Field Ambulance.
05:45 hours. – FOSSEAUX.
Unit arrived at FOSSEAUX. Cooks, assisted by cooks of Field Ambulance provided breakfast. Unit occupied in repacking lorry. Throughout the day there was desultory A.A. fire and distant explosions in the direction of ARRAS some of which was near Unit itself.
14:00 hours. Lt Col Bland, DADOS visited FOSSEAUX and reported that 23rd Division Rear HQ was at BARLEX and that he still had men at MIRAUMONT and asked for transport. By this time the open disinfestor lorry had returned from B Company 186th Field Ambulance and was placed at his disposal. Driver Stevenson in charge of the vehicle.
The remainder of the day was quiet and the weather was perfect, failing reception of further orders the Other Ranks were billeted in a barn.
20 May 1940
02:30 hours. Lt Col Bland visited FOSSEAUX and reported that enemy Armoured Fighting Vehicles had reached BUCQOY (8 miles) early in the evening. A conference was held with A/ADMS 186 Field Ambulance and 33 Field Hygiene Section and in order to rest personnel it was decided to move at 06:00 hours to the vicinity of NUNCQ where Rear Divisional HQ was taking up position.
06:00 hours. Personnel on parade and packing up commenced. Unit again formed convoy with 186th Field Ambulance and proceeded to NUNCQ and finally established itself at HAUTECOTE 2 Kilometres West of there. The route taken was almost entirely by side roads. The Unit remained at HAUTECOTE for the remainder of the day.
17:00 hours – HAUTECOTE.
A/ADMS and DAAG 23rd Division, Major G Long arrived and reported that enemy Armoured Fighting Vehicles had been reported at DOULENS and near ST.POL and that GHQ troops were near to AIRE.
17:15 hours. Column of vehicles (186th Field Ambulance and 33rd Field Hygiene Section) set off for HESDIN – NO RATIONS HAD BEEN DRAWN FOR 2 DAYS. A large portion of the journey was done by side roads. The main HESDIN – FREVENT road was joined at WAIL. From there to HESDIN the road was almost completely blocked by refugees and progress was slow and extremely difficult. In HESDIN considerable blockage of transport was caused by meeting a French motorised Division proceeding in the opposite direction.
22:00 hours. From HESDIN the route was through FRUGES after dark to about 10 miles from AIRE where the convoy halted for some 2 hours and again, one mile from AIRE; it was a bright moonlit night. There was no air activity in the vicinity of the column although parachute flares and A.A. shell bursts were observed in the distance.
21 May 1940
06:00 hours. Unit passed through AIRE where rations were drawn, and proceeded along the ST. OMER road in the direction of, and through, AROGUES in search of suitable cover in which to spend the day.
08:00 hours – ST. OMER.
Cover was found about 3 miles from ST. OMER in a disused farmhouse which was occupied by Belgian refugees. They were evicted and the Unit settled in for the day.
11:00 hours. Intense air activity was experienced, low-flying aircraft bombing and machine-gunning the adjacent roads, railways and canals. The Unit was attacked by aircraft on two occasions without casualties. In the meantime the A/ADMS was endeavouring to contact GHQ troops and 23rd Division without success. The Unit attended to many casualties from machine-gunning of roads, principally Belgian soldiers amongst which there were four dead. These were buried by the Section with an R.C. Chaplain in attendance.
18:00 hours. The Unit spent the night in the open. There were several air attacks during the night but no casualties.
22 May 1940 – ST. OMER.
08:30 hours. A/ADMS went on reconnaissance.
11:00 hours. Officer of Royal Engineers reported that bridge at ARQUES was shortly to be demolished.
12:30 hours. A/ADMS returned and reported that the Unit was to proceed to STRAZEELE where contact would be made with GHQ Troops. Unit was to proceed in convoy with 186th Field Ambulance.
14:00 hours. Convoy left for STRAZEELE; at ARGUES explosion took place as convoy was crossing bridge, demolishing hand bridge beside main bridge. No personnel injured but several civilians received several (?severe) injuries. Convoy stopped to attend to these. Air raid took place but no bombs dropped. Convoy proceeded by way of HAZEBROUCKE to STRAZEELE. There it was met by A/ADMS who stated that he had received orders for 23rd Division Medical Units to proceed to SAILLY and to report to G.o.C. 46th Division and later to SECLIN.
18:00 hours – SAILLY.
Convoy arrived at SAILLY via ESSARTS. 46th Division contacted and information was received that 70th Infantry Brigade were at METEREN. Convoy returned through ESSARTS to METEREN.
19:30 hours – METEREN.
Convoy arrived at METEREN. Intense air raid of ESSARTS took place at this time and ambulances containing Sgt Lewis, Cpl Kentenius, Cpl Jenkinson and six Other Ranks were despatched with Field Ambulance details to deal with casualties. On arrival A/ADMS proceeded to find suitable cover for the night.
21:15 hours. A/ADMS returned to report that cover was difficult to find but that convoy was to follow him to BETERN to wood on hill near monastery. Sgt Lewis returned from Casualty Clearing Station and reported that remainder of Unit would be collected in lorry or ambulance. On arrival there the cover was extremely bad and Unit slept in vehicles. A portion of the convoy including Major Steele, 186th Field Ambulance, did not report. Owing to exposed position it was impossible to prepare any food and rations were with lost portion of convoy.
23 May 1940
Captain Gale, 186th Field Ambulance, reported attack coming towards METERN and orders from Brigadier Kirkup, 70th Infantry Brigade, for 23rd Division Medical Units to contact 69th Infantry Brigade at BOLAZEELE giving detailed route.
06:00 hours – BOLAZEELE.
Unit proceeded to BOLAZEELE with convoy and arrived there at 08:30 hours. Breakfast was prepared and HQ 23rd Division was contacted by A/ADMS. Small arms fire was heard at close quarters and also artillery and mortar. There was some air activity.
10:30 hours. Large numbers of unarmed Belgian soldiers commenced to pass through Unit lines, travelling northwards.
11:00 hours. Message received from Divisional HQ signed by Colonel Gullam DA & QMG, 23rd Division, that Medical Units were to move at once in convoy with Divisional HQ and 233 Company Royal Engineers to SECLIN. The convoy would wait for the Medical Units.
The other Units, however, proceeded at high speed and did not wait, road blocks were in position before Units moved and had to be opened by French, under protest.
12:00 hours. Unit proceeded by route SOUX, OSTCAPELLE, PROVIN, POPERINGHE towards SECLIN. Numerous road blocks were passed and in several places British troops were to be seen taking up positions for rear guard action. One enemy AFV was seen in the far distance. It then stared to rain.
16:00 hours – PROVIN.
Owing to a puncture to one of the vehicles in the convoy a stop was made between PROVIN and POPERINGHE and Colonel Kennedy, Commander, Royal Engineers, 23rd Division and Major Allen (G III) met the convoy and reported that 23rd Division was returning to BOLAZEELE. In view of the conflicting orders, arrangements were made for convoy to return to PROVIN and to billet there for the night in view of weather conditions.
24 May 1940 – PROVIN.
09:00 hours. 186th Field Ambulance despatched lorry for rations and petrol.
11:00 hours. Orders received to proceed to SECLIN on arrival of ration lorry.
15:00 hours. Ration lorry arrived and report was received that a portion of 23rd Division was at GRAVELINES.
16:00 hours. RSM of 186th Field Ambulance reported that Major Steele and the lost portion of 186th Field Ambulance was at DUNKIRK, orders were sent for this to rejoin Unit at PROVIN and to proceed to SECLIN at 18:00 hours.
18:00 hours. Further orders were received for Units to remain pending further orders.
22:00 hours. Orders received for Units to proceed KLOOGHERGE next day. Sgt Hale, 186th Field Ambulance, reported the personnel who had become detached from Section to be at STRAZEELE with 23rd Division Royal Engineers.
25 May 1940 – DRINGHAM.
08:00 hours. Unit left PROVIN for DRINGHAM in River Aa sector to rendezvous with 23rd Division. Route was WORMHOUDT, ZEGGERS, FRINGHEM, SPREY to crossroads at DRINGHAM. Attacked by enemy aircraft en route, without casualties.
11:00 hours. Reconnaissance carried out to find other Units of 23rd Division, lasting 2 hours without success. Enemy AFV reported supported by Infantry about 2 Km away. Roads blocked by French Army and report received that all bridges from BERGUES to LOOBERGHE inclusive were now prepared for immediate demolition.
13:00 hours. A/ADMS held conference and it was decided that 23rd Division Medical Services could find most useful employment at DUNKIRK. Route to DUNKIRK being chosen via BERGUES and COUDEKERQUE BRANCHE.
15:00 hours – COUDEKERQUE.
Unit stopped for food and came under machine gun fire from concealed position – probably “fifth column”.
18:00 hours. Unit arrived DUNKIRK in company with 186th Field Ambulance. A/ADMS contacted Senior Medical Officer and returned with instructions.
19:30 hours – DUNKIRK.
23rd Division Field Hygiene Section to remain in DUNKIRK. Officer Commanding 33rd Field Hygiene Section reported to Senior Medical Officer and Section was detailed to load H.M. Hospital Ships. Personnel reported on quay under Sgt Lewis and commenced duties.
Unit equipment remained with 186th Field Ambulance now reported to be at MALO-LES-BAINS.
Officer Commanding 33rd Field Hygiene Section and A/ADMS proceeded to contact Units and searched until 00:30 hours, being then hopelessly lost in darkness, slept in car at MALO till 04:00 and recommenced search.
26 May 1940
04:00 - 06:30 hours. Finally returned to “Ferry Quay” and found 33rd Field Hygiene Section attending to casualties in ambulances which had arrived too late for embarkation – about 500 casualties were there.
Sgt Donaldson had acquired rations and a petrol cooker. Sgt Lewis had obtained Unit’s equipment and arrangements were made by these two to feed all casualties awaiting on the dock, Officers to have a McConachie ration and Other Ranks bully beef stew.
This work was proceeded with and report was received that the 186th Field Ambulance and remainder of Unit equipment had moved to BRAY DUNES.
10:30 hours – DUNKIRK.
On orders of Senior Medical Officer, Officer Commanding visited BASTION to report to Area Commander. Whilst he was there enemy aircraft raided the quay.
Pte Paterson W. sustained a compound fracture of the leg as a result of the action. Despite the bombing, Sgt Donaldson proceeded with the work of providing food for the casualties and by his conduct materially strengthened the morale of the troops.
Pte Paterson was evacuated on the hospital ship.
12:00 hours. Officer Commanding returned to Quay to find that 186th Field Ambulance had requisitioned all transport and stores and had proceeded to BRAY DUNES. Arrangements had been made at BASTION for Unit to stay at DUNKIRK so Officer Commanding proceeded to 186th Field Ambulance to obtain return of transport.
14:00 hours. Officer Commanding returned from BRAY DUNES with transport. Contacted Sgt Donaldson, who was still on Quay attending to casualties and was the only RAMC NCO who had remained, having sent remainder of Unit to rest in air raid shelter. Unit collected in centre of town. Sgt Donaldson remained on dock.
17:00 – 22:00 hours. Officer Commanding reported to Town Major and dealt with casualties at his office and made request for Billet. Billeted at 4 Rue Thiers at 22:00 hours with complete Unit.
Stores and transport were parked for the night and contact was made with No. 12 Casualty Clearing Station RAMC and the billet in Rue Thiers was shared with this Unit.
23:00 hours. Severe enemy air action took place throughout the night.
27 May 1940
06:00 hours. Unit awakened by heavy enemy bombing raid.
08:00 hours. Breakfast 12 C.C.S. Left Billet for ROSENDAEL. Enemy air activity commenced which continued throughout the day. Buildings on either side of Billet were struck with heavy High Explosive bombs and took fire.
09:30 hours. Officer commanding and Sgt Donaldson went to Town Major’s office to secure lorry for rations. Three large air raids occurred whilst they were there, causing several casualties. Officer Commanding reported to Lt Col Rose RAMC Senior Medical Officer Dunkirk Area who detailed Officer Commanding to attend to casualties.
11:00 hours. Lt Col Rose detailed Officer Commanding to act as Senior Medical Officer, Dunkirk Area whilst he went out on a reconnaissance. Officer Commanding remained at Town Major’s office till 14:00 hours when Lt Col Rose returned. Sgt Donaldson took lorry to Billet and prepared to collect rations.
14:30 hours. Officer Commanding was detailed by Senior Medical Officer to contact No. 12 Casualty Clearing Station and 186th Field Ambulance and Emergency Medical Officer to ascertain the number of casualties awaiting embarkation. It was found that the only practical means of transport was motor cycle. This was requisitioned and Officer Commanding set out and to ask for help from 186th Field Ambulance for embarkation duties and to deal with air raid casualties in Dunkirk.
14:50 hours. Col Park, Officer Commanding No. 12 C.C.S. was contacted and his figures were obtained.
15:15 hours. 186th Field Ambulance was contacted and message given to Adjutant. Officer Commanding returned to Town Major’s office.
16:30 hours. Officer Commanding detailed to find M.A.C. (Motor Ambulance Convoy ?) reported to be in region of town; exact whereabouts were unknown and difficulty was anticipated owing to very heavy enemy air activity. Air Ministry had promised protection from 18:00 hours for Hospital Ship to embark casualties and it was essential that this convoy should reach pier. Major Russel E.M.O. was by now lost and it was known that there were 100 casualties awaiting embarkation at ROSENDAEL. Officer Commanding was detailed to find the E.M.O. and arrange evacuation of all casualties to the pier by 18:00 hours. Again, motor cycle transport was used. The M.A.C. was contacted on a side road between COUDEKERQUE BRANCH and ROSENDAEL and instructions were handed on. Major Russel E.M.O. was found stranded with his motor car blown up near ROSENDAEL and instructions were given to 12 C.C.S. to send casualties to pier by 18:00 hours. Major Russel was taken to Town Office and Cpl Golding of the Unit was contacted and told movements of Officer Commanding.
17:20 hours. Officer Commanding reported at pier with Major Russel and conference was held. By this time it appeared that streets were impassable for ambulances or cars owing to number of burning buildings and falling debris. Officer Commanding volunteered to bring in convoy somehow.
Officer Commanding departed in car and found M.A.C. setting out for pier and also found vehicles from 12 C.C.S. following on. He gave leading vehicle safest route to pier and rounded up straying vehicles and brought up the rear. Officer Commanding then visited Billet at 4, Rue Thiers to bring Unit down to help with embarkation, but found that a request for RAMC assistance had been made and that the Unit had gone on First Aid duties elsewhere. They had also been advised to evacuate building and make their way to beaches by French authorities. As it was now 17:50 hours Officer Commanding could not wait and proceeded by car to docks, rounding up several ambulances on the way. On arrival at pier a mass air raid took place involving about 70 enemy machines. Officer Commanding took cover and returned to find his car severely damaged. In the meantime A/ADMS 23rd Division and a party from 186th Field Ambulance had arrived to assist with embarkation of casualties. It was then found that in the raids the Customs House was burning and that return to the town was impossible.
18:20 hours. RAF protection came into effect and further raids were not experienced.
19:40 hours. H.M.T. “Canterbury” berthed at the pier and all personnel on pier commenced work of loading casualties on to her. This work was accelerated owing to the reception of erroneous messages that the enemy was on the point of entering the town.
21:00 hours. Loading completed and all the persons on pier were ordered by the Senior Medical Officer to leave the pier on the ship.
28 May 1940 – Dover.
05:10 hours. Officer Commanding landed at DOVER and was met by Sgt Lewis, Cpl Lindsey and 5 Other Ranks who had arrived from France on a destroyer.
08:30 hours. Officer Commanding and 7 Other Ranks arrived at Reception Camp, Rushmoor, ALDERSHOT and from thence to RAMC Depot, Boyce Barracks.
29 May 1940 – 1 June 1940 – Aldershot.
At Boyce Barracks, Aldershot during which time some 10 Other Ranks reported while information was received that a further indefinite number were in England.
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