33rd Field Hygiene Section War Diary - October 1940
1 – 2 October 1940 – LAUNCESTON.
Unit mobilised, awaiting orders.
3 October 1940
07:00 hours. Message received from Movement Control, Salisbury, by Despatch Rider, advising Unit of movement to GLASGOW to embark on H.M. Transport K4 for destination Q. (See appendix 1 attached to War Diary).
Remainder of day spent in; returning transport to CRASC, South Western Area, handing over accommodation stores, closing Imprest Account and kit inspection.
4 October 1940
07:45 hours. Unit paraded for entrainment at LAUNCESTON.
08:30 hours. Unit entrained for GLASGOW (King George V Dock) and embarked on H.M.T. K4.
Officer Commanding (Major G A W Neill) appointed Senior Medical Officer Ship and Unit along with No. 1 Ambulance Train RAMC detailed to act as ship’s Medical staff.
6 October 1940 – H.M.T. K4.
11:00 hours. Final inspection of ship which was found to be overcrowded. Arrangements made to disembark 250 naval ratings. This Unit was accommodated in the worst position of the ship and in view of this alteration the Other Ranks were accommodated in spare cabins in place of Mess Deck Section 44.
13:30 hours. Ship left dock for “Tail o’ the Bank”.
7 October 1940
11:00 hours. Second final inspection.
19:00 hours. Ship sailed from River Clyde.
8 October 1940
09:00 hours. Very heavy seas encountered – most of Unit personnel sea sick.
Unit engaged in hospital duties with personnel of No. 1 Ambulance Train.
9 October 1940
10:30 hours. Machine gun fire heard. Ship attacked by enemy aircraft, which dropped three bombs, all “near misses”. Ship damaged. Unit engaged in hospital duties.
Machine gun casualties brought to hospital – order given to “emergency stations”.
Entire Unit reported to Officer Commanding at ship’s hospital.
Ship considered to be in grave danger of sinking.
Casualties from other Units amounted to 2 killed and 30 wounded, 1 of crew killed and 3 men seriously wounded and died later. Unit worked all day attending to casualties assisted by No. 1 Ambulance Train.
15:30 hours. Temporary repairs to ship had been carried out and Officer Commanding (S.M.O. Ship) informed by Master that ship would return to River CLYDE at greatly reduced speed.
19:00 hours. Fatal casualties buried at sea by Naval Chaplain.
22:00 hours – 05:00 hours 9 October 1940.
Officer Commanding and Officer Commanding No. 1 Ambulance Train (Captain S Gifford RAMC) assisted by Other Ranks of both Units and Naval Chaplain worked in Hospital redressing casualties. In spite of this attention, which included the administration of blood transfusions and saline infusion, a further three of the casualties died. This work was greatly hampered by the inadequacy of surgical equipment available, as well as the rolling of the ship.
Further difficulties were encountered by damage to water and electric systems supplying the hospital.
13:00 hours. H.M.T. K4 dropped anchor in the River CLYDE off GOUROCK. A signal was sent from the bridge and H.M. Hospital Ship “St Andrew” came alongside and transhipped the casualties and the bodies of the three who had died during the night.
16:00 hours. Unit disembarked by tender to GOUROCK and there entrained for GLASGOW.
18:00 hours. Arrived at GLASGOW CENTRAL STATION and embussed for Transit Camp at Nairn Street Schools.
20:30 hours. Unit billeted at Nairn Street Schools.
9 – 16 October 1940 – Glasgow.
Unit resting at Nairn Street.
15 October 1940
Unit proceeded on survivors leave individually.
22 October 1940
Personnel returned from leave.
23 October 1940
Warning Order received to proceed to Rest Camp at OSWESTRY.
24 October 1940
19:30 hours. Unit entrained for OSWESTRY.
25 October 1940
06:00 hours. Unit arrived at OSWESTRY and were accommodated in Spider “G”, Wingate Lines, rationed by 210 Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery unit.
Imprest Account reopened.
25 October – 10 November 1940
Unit situated as above (Oswestry Rest Camp). Training carried out and courses run for water duties and sanitation for adjacent units.
During this period orders were received to be prepared to move on 12 November 1940 by H.M.T. L15.
Appendix attached to October 1940 War Diary of 33rd Field Hygiene Section.
The Movement Order referred to above does not appear to have survived to be included in the War Diary file.
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