Hello, I am new to this forum and still finding my way about! Many thanks for such an interesting forum. My late father Private Harry Godfrey RAMC was attached to the 17th British General Hospital, Camiers, France. He was part of a group of men left in May 1940 to tend the wounded , and was subsequently taken prisoner, being held in Stalags XXa and XXb. For the present I am researching his RAMC experiences. I am waiting for his service record and am planning a trip to the National Archives. I would be particularly interested to hear from anyone who may have knowledge or information on the 17th General Hospital particularly around May 1940 up to its takeover by the Germans on or around 22nd May. My father was a medical orderly and I would also like to find out what his duties might have included. Any tips or advice will be much appreciated. Thank you.
Hi Howard and welcome to the forum. It sounds like you are already on the right track with your fathers records and the unit diaries at Kew. I would recommend reading Sean Longdens - Dunkirk-The Men that Stayed Behind. I've found a few files you may be interested in checking when you go to Kew: Detecting your browser settings Detecting your browser settings Detecting your browser settings Detecting your browser settings Not sure if 17 Casualty Clearing Station was with 17 General Hospital. It may be worth finding out what the Hospitals lower formations were as there may be documents on them. Cheers Andy ps Keep us posted
My father was a medical orderly and I would also like to find out what his duties might have included. Any tips or advice will be much appreciated. Thank you. Hi Howard, Medical Orderlies where the backbone of the RAMC in general, there tasks where far reaching from assisting in the operating theaters to observing and recording patients medical details IE Blood pressures,temperature, pulse and checking wounds & fractures, also they often undertook an active role in hygiene and the prevention of diseases. Medical Orderlies where also trained in First Aid and could be the difference of Life or Death for wounded soldiers as they could stem and dress severe bleeding, stabilise fractures, maintain airways and in some cases set up and give blood and pain relief, Medical orderlies where often the first point of call into the military medical machine during WW2 for wounded soldiers recording the patients injuries etc.
Many thanks to both for these very helpful replies Drew 5233 - thanks for the NA references, I will follow them up. I have ordered Sean Longden's book and I look forward to reading it. Also it hadn't occured to me to investigate the casualty clearing stations etc. and I will look into these also. Medic 7922 - this is really helpful detail - it is just what I was looking for. I am planning to "camp out" at the NA in September and I'll post an update afterwards Howard
Hi Howard, I'm not sure what the lower formations were but there must be some in some shape or form. You may wish to contact the RAMC Museum too for that info. AMS Museum Cheers Andy
Thanks Andy I'll contact the RAMC museum and see what they say - I could perhaps fit a visit in as part of the trip. Howard
Thanks Andy I'll contact the RAMC museum and see what they say - I could perhaps fit a visit in as part of the trip. Howard Hi Howard, It is worth a visit down to the Museum at Keogh Barracks but I have heard that it may be moving Up North to Birmingham, not yet sure if and when its going thou, but it should still be there in September.
Thanks for this. If it comes to Birmingham it will be good for me but I think I will try and fit in a visit in any case, sounds as if it could be interesting.
