Anybody know of the whereabouts of the 200 field ambulance on the D-Day (other than Normandy). Trying to find out exactly where my Gt uncle was that day (I have vague ideas). Not sure when I am next at Kew to look at the war diaries, so any help before that would be appreciated Cheers Steve
You could contact this lot for more info: c20Warfare.org It was attached to the 50th Div: 50th Northumbrian Division Normandy 1944
Steve, A few years late, and you may already have seen this but: WO177/799 – 200 Field Ambulance, 231 Brigade, 50 (N) Division CO.: Lt. Col. W.A. Robinson OBE 6 June 1944 LE HAMEL 0740 H-hour of D-Day. 0800 Assault Secns: due to land [?] reserve coys of Assault Bns. Late in landing: sea rough: Wrong beach: enemy strongpoints not neutralised by air or sea bombardment. VLO party landed late. 0900 C.O. landed. Casualties to our personnel – Lt. W.L. Pain missing believed drowned. Pte Bower ditto. Pte Armstrong killed: these incurred while landing. Casualties of Bns collected into nests. One orderly left with each nest. These were later picked up by Fd. Amb. S.B’s and taken to B.D.S. which was very late in landing (all times of landing were delayed). 1500 Main First Tide party of H.Q. landed (three hours late), A.D.S. est M.R. 882862 (Sheet 7E/5 France 1:50,000) taking over from R.A.P. 1/Dorsets. 1600 All cas evacuated to B.D.S. 31 F.D.S. *Beach Group) arrived and took over site prior to moving to a second site). 1700 H.Q. ADS moved to Buhot MR 862855 (same sheet) and were receiving casualties from Lt. Secs and, later, 203 Fd Amb. Regards Tom
Thanks Tom, I hadn't seen it - should come in handy as I am doing a bit of research in to my late Gt uncle
Morning Steve, I had not seen this thread before; apologies. My interest is the 50th (Northumbrian) Division (50 Div). The 200 Field Ambulance (231st Infantry Brigade) were with 50 Div from circa 17 August 1943 to 12 December 1944, but I don't have much information about them. However, I thought you might be interested in this; link: http://www.c20warfare.org/BloodandBullets/BABsecondwar.htm Best, Steve.
Hi, I've got more from their war diary somewhere, probably up to September 1944. Happy to share. Regards Tom
Hi Tom I realise this is an old thread but if you are still active, I would be very grateful to receive anything that you have from the 2nd War Diary of the 200th F. Amb. (WO 177/799). I have just begun transcribing the first War Diary (WO 177/798) but I do not have the second diary, and I'm particularly keen to trace my Great Uncle's service in the Battle of Normandy. Pte. Thomas F Payne, 7370512, served with A Company, 200th Field Ambulance, RAMC, throughout the war from 1942 to demob. Any info would be much appreciated. Claire
Hi Claire, I've got a transcribed copy of the war diary for May and June 1944. Happy to post that up here for you if you would like to see it. I'd be interested to see the end of June - beginning of July 1942 if you have it!! Regards Tom
WO 177/799 - 200 Field Ambulance: 1 – 4 May 1944 Pennerley [?] Camp A. Training + preparing equipment for Overseas. 5 May 1944 Pennerley [?] Camp A O.C. arrived back from Exercise Fabius with personnel. Camp unsealed. 6 – 12 May 1944 Pennerley [?] Camp A Training + preparation for Overseas. 13 May 1944 Pennerley [?] Camp A Training + preparation for Overseas. ADMS [holding?] conference for O.C’s + 2 i/c. Bde Inspection at Cadland A by Gen. Eisenhower. 14 May 1944 [no entry] 15 May 1944 Unit moved from Pennerley Camp to Cadland Camp. 16 – 17 May 1944 Cadland Arranging new camp. Training for overseas. 18 May 1944 Cadland ADMS Conference for all M.O’s in Division. 19 May 1944 Cadland Training and loading of assault vehicles. 20 May 1944 Cadland 0930 O.C. visited C-in-C’s conference. 1300 DDMS 2nd Army visited unit. 1400 Major Royds [?] J.E. RAMC arrived at unit for duty as Coy Cdr. 21 May 1944 Cadland Preparation of assault vehicles for overseas. 22 May 1944 Cadland Final checking of assault equipment. Physical training extended to include further periods during the day. 23 May 1944 Cadland 1000 Major M.E.M. Herford left unit on promotion to command 163 Fd. Amb. Major M.N.S. Duncan 2 i/c 200 Fd. Amb. Major J.E. Royds O.C. “A” Coy. Training for twenty four personnel in mine detecting and recognition arranged. 24 May 1944 Cadland Routine training (physical). Twelve personnel attended lecture + demo on mine detecting. 1400 O.C. attended G.O.C. Conference at Div. 1800 Camp visited by G.O.C. 25 – 29 May 1944 Cadland Final preparations completed for forthcoming operations. Personnel employed on physical training and recreational games, athletics. 30 May 1944 Cadland Marshalling into Craft loads commenced. 31 May 1944 Cadland Marshalling into Craft loads completed.
1 June 1944 Marshalling Area 0630 Embarkation of some serials of unit commenced. 2 June 1944 Marshalling Area Embarkation of some serials of unit continued. 3 June 1944 Marshalling Area Embarkation of all serials of unit completed. 4 June 1944 At Sea Onboard LSI’s, LST + LCT in Southampton Water. 5 June 1944 At Sea 0730 Force “G” (carrying 231 Bde) sailed for French coast. Voyage uneventful – no enemy interference. 6 June 1944 LE HAMEL 0740 H-hour of D-Day. 0800 Assault Secns: due to land [?] reserve coys of Assault Bns. Late in landing: sea rough: Wrong beach: enemy strongpoints not neutralised by air or sea bombardment. VLO [?] party landed late. 0900 C.O. landed. Casualties to our personnel – Lt. W.L. Pain missing believed drowned. Pte Bower ditto. Pte Armstrong killed: these incurred while landing. Casualties of Bns collected into nests. One orderly left with each nest. These were later picked up by Fd. Amb. S.B’s and taken to B.D.S. which was very late in landing (all times of landing were delayed). 1500 Main First Tide party of H.Q. landed (three hours late), A.D.S. est M.R. 882862 (Sheet 7E/5 France 1:50,000) taking over from R.A.P. 1/Dorsets. 1600 All cas evacuated to B.D.S. 31 F.D.S. (Beach Group) arrived and took over site prior to moving to a second site). 1700 H.Q. ADS moved to Buhot MR 862855 (same sheet) and were receiving casualties from Lt. Secs and, later, 203 Fd Amb. Number of cas’s treated ?? 7 Off + 85 OR’s, P.O.W. 6. 7 June 1944 0630 Div. Cdr. Visited A.D.S. 0800 C.O. visited sects and A.D.S. 1100 ADMS 50 (N) Div visited HQ, ADS. 1300 One SBO + 6 OR’s went to pick up cas from 47 Commando on the road to Port-en-Bessin from Longues (MR 799862). 1500 The second serial of 2nd Tide parties arrived (no cas.). 1600 Lt. Col. Miles O.C. 203 Fd Amb visited ADS. 1700 Bde HQ moved to new site (838815, same sheet). 1730 CO visited sect: T 2/Devons at MR 828850. 2130 Two amb. cars sent to 755857 to collect cas from Commandos ahead of 2/Devons. Considerable activity by enemy snipers resulted in the 2 OR’s being cut off (probably captured) when attempting to get in these cas’s. After two attempts to get through all further attempts were stopped by combatant units who had been providing carrier escort. 8 June 1944 0800 CO visited Bde, Div (826808), 1/Hamps (830815). Four orderlies, 1 amb. car sent to 1/Hamps. Capt Neil + ½ sec with 1/Dorsets in mobile col. SW of Bayeux. 0900 CO visited sec: 2 Devons. Car park being est at Longues evacuating via La Rosiere (828846) – ARROMANCHES (830860) – Buhot HQ ADS. 1030 Last serial of 2nd Tide arrived. Casualties admitted to HQ ADS from 1600 hrs 6/6/44 to 0600 hrs 8/6/44: Div: OFF: 12 O.R’s: 127 Non-Div: Off: - O.R’s: 7 POW: 28 1300 Sec. with 2/Devons remaining “in-situ”. Some casualties expected from 2/Devons and RM Commandos around Port-en-Bessin. 1700 3 CCS opened location (MR 822825 same sheet) for cases unfit to travel to England and for minor sick. Casualties admitted ADS HQ from 0600 hrs 8/6/44 to 0600 hrs 9/6/44: 50 Div: OFF: - O.R’s: 45 Others: Off: 4 O.R’s: 9 POW: 6 Total: 60 9 June 1944 0930 Message received from ADMS. Blood available from 16 FDS located [with?] 3 CCS. C.O. visited Div. 1900 C.O. visited Bde + Div. 1915 O.C. 49 F.D.S. made contact [with?] 200 Fd. Amb. 2000 Unit ordered to move to new location in BAYEUX and open in [Queen’s? German?] hospital (MR 786802 sheet 7F/1, 1/50,000). 2200 Main party HQ arrived and settled in. 2215 ADMS visited new site – HQ to be open to receive cas. 1200 hrs 10/6. 10 June 1944 BAYEUX 1000 HQ ready to receive patients. Bed capacity – 106. 1015 DDMS 30 Corps, DADMS 30 Corps, DADMS 7 Armd Div visited HQ. 10 CCS to take over this site at a later date. 1400 C.O. visited Devons + Hamps. 1830 C.O. visited Bde. Casualties admitted from 0600 hrs 9/6[/44] to 0600 hrs 11/6[/44]: Div: 16 Non-Div: 4 POW: 22 11 June 1944 BAYEUX 1100 C.O. visited 2/Devons. 1130 DADMS visited HQ. 1430 C.O. visited 186 Fd Amb and 149 Fd. Amb. 1800 C.O. visited Bde to ascertain details of time and place for location of “B” Coy’s A.D.S. formation of which was ordered. 2000 “B” Coy left H.Q. and established A.D.S. at M.R. 785746 Sheet 7F/1. Open at 2100 hrs. 2200 C.O. visited Division. 2300 Two Amb. Cars att’d from 149 Fd. Amb. for evac back. 200 Fd. Amb. sending 3 2-str amb. cars and 2 jeep ambs to 7 Armd Div when called upon to do so. Casualties from 0600 hrs 11/6 to 0600 hrs 12/6: Div: Off: 1 O.R’s: 34 Non-Div: 23 POW: Nil 12 June 1944 BAYEUX 0715 C.O. visited Bde. 1030 C.O. visited ADMS. 1200 10 CCS open (MR 805794 sheet 7F/1). 1200 DDMS 2nd Army, Brig. Phillips, and Brig. Porritt, Consulting Surgeon 21 Army Gp, visited HQ to assess suitability of site for Hospital. 1430 C.O. visited Bde. 1530 ADMS and U.S. Liaison Officer visited H.Q. Fairly steady flow of casualties maintained all day through HQ which is now taking cas. from whole of Div incl. if necessary 56 Bde + 8 Armd Bde. Casualties from 0600 hrs 12/6 to 0600 hrs 13/6: Div: Off: - O.R’s: 45 Non-Div: Off: 1 O.R’s: 38 POW: 5 During the past 48 hrs there were several cases of “exhaustion” due in most part to very weary and overworked men being subjected to a severe attack. It was thought that after a few days rest with sleep and plenty of food they were fit for R.T.U. This is the case in the majority. Casualties dealt with in HQ since unit arrived at present location is 171 all ranks. Allied – Officers – [blank] OR’s – [blank] P.O.W’s 5. Total from June 6, excluding those dealt with on the actual beaches equal 421. Allied: Officers 22, O.R’s 347, POW 52. 13 June 1944 BAYEUX 0830 C.O. visited A.D.S. 1200 Corps Psychiatric Centre open 35 F.D.S. 1400 C.O. visited Bde. 2200 D+4 vehs arrived – no cas. to pers. or vehs. No. of casualties in H.Q. from 0600 13/6 to 0600 14/6: 10 Off, 140 O.R’s. 14 June 1944 BAYEUX 0900 C.O. visited A.D.S. 1030 ADMS visited H.Q. 1100 C.O. visited 10 CCS. Several cases of malaria occurring in 231 Bde. Vast majority relapses. 1200 Lt.Col. Arnott [?] O.C. 186 Fd Amb visited HQ. 1215 Col. Walker A.D.M.S. 49 Div visited H.Q. 1400 One amb car att’d to 61 Recce Regt. 1800 C.O. attended conference ADMS Office. 1850 Capt. Peterfield F.T.U. from 48 F.D.S. arrived for attachment to 200 Fd. Amb. 48 F.D.S. opening at Juay-Mondaye (MR 791727 Sheet 7F/1) to take Div sick not needing evac’n to CCS. 200 Fd Amb will be responsible for full resuscitation of patients requiring it before evacuating to 10 C.C.S. in order to lighten work of C.C.S. Resus. + Pre-op team. Casualties from 0600 13/6 to 0600 14/6: Allied – 4 Off. 73 O.R’s. PW 1 OR = 78. Grand Total to date: 649. 15 June 1944 BAYEUX 0830 C.O. visited A.D.S. and R.A.P’s. Very few battle casualties admitted today. Total number of casualties + sick from 0600 15/6 to 0600 16/6 = 31. Grand total: 680. 16 June 1944 BAYEUX 0830 C.O. visited ADS and Bde. Bde resting – little activity at the moment. Bde [+] Div sick transferred to 48 FDS MR791726 (Sheet 7F/1). 1100 C.O. visited ADMS. Now decided that unit will work entirely on old method, i.e. “A” + “B” Coy commanded by a Major each being relieved after any heavy work as indicated 2 i/c not to remain at HQ. 2100 Major Duncan 2 i/c visited 10 C.C.S. New officer Capt. Carlson posted to 200 Fd Amb in replacement for Lt. W.J.L. Pain (missing). Temporarily attached to 149 Fd Amb. Increased enemy air activity last two nights. Total cas from 0600 16/6 to 0600 17/6 = 2 Offrs 17 OR’s = 19. Grand Total = 699. 17 June 1944 BAYEUX 0800 C.O. visited ADS. 1030 Bde. Cdr. visited MDS. 1600 DDMS 30 Corps, ADH 30 Corps, DADMS visited MDS. ADMS Div visited HQ. 1630 DADMS 50 Div visited HQ. Casualties from 0600 17/6 to 0600 18/6. 3 Offrs, 14 ORs. Grand Total = 716. 18 June 1944 BAYEUX 0800 All quiet – no items of interest during the day. O.C. visited ADMS at Div HQ, and Bn HQ of /Dorsets, 2/Devons and 1/Hamps. 19 June 1944 BAYEUX 1000 Light MDS established at Berniers Bocage 797703. Remainder of beds [?] on wheels ready to move. 20 June 1944 BAYEUX ‘A’ Coy relieved ‘B’ Coy at 797703. 1500 ‘B’ Coy withdrawn to Bayeux. 1830 Town Major requests half of field for 2000. At present no objection – later [?] to see Brigadier Phillips DDMS 2 Army. HQ used as rest centre for officers and Malaria. 21 June 1944 BAYEUX 0930 O.C. visited ADMS 50 (Northumbria) Div. 1230 Visit by Major Drury RAMC 31 Fd. Hyg. Sec. Will see to concrete top for sewage pit. Total Cas. since 0600 18/6: Offrs: 18. ORs. 211. POW. 2. 22 June 1944 BAYEUX 0900 Adv. Party of 20 Gen. Hosp. arrived to set up in location of H.Q. in BAYEUX. 1100 H.Q. visited by ADMS 50 (N) Div with Chief Surgeon 1 U.S. Div. 1200 Visit to HQ by DADH No.5 L of C Sub-Area. 1400 C.O. visited Light M.D.S. and Bde H.Q. DDMS 2nd Army visited HQ to see Adv. Party of 20 Gen Hosp. Cas. 0600 22/6 to 0600 23/6: Offs. 4. ORs 56. POW Nil. 2400 DADMS 2 Army requested HQ to accommodate 106 Nursing Officers and Masseuses of 20th Gen. Hosp. and 77th Gen. Hosp. Accommodated and hot food provided within 1 hour of their arrival. 23 June 1944 BAYEUX 1100 HQ visited by O.C. 77 Gen. Hosp. to arrange accommodation for Nursing Officers. 1200 H.Q. visited by ADMS No. 11 L of C Sub-Area. Further instructions from ADMS 50 Div to be prepared to rest 20 offs. 1730 Unit less one Major + 6 ORs moved to 788730 France 1/50,000 Sheet 7F/1 Caen with instructions to remain closed. 24 June 1944 0830 O.C. visited Div (50 Northumbria). Visit by D.D.M.S. 30 Corps at 1130 hours. 1430 O.C. visited 149 Fd Amb and ADS. 25 June 1944 0930 O.C. visited Main 50 Div and 20 G.H. 1230 ADMS 50 Div visited Unit. 1630 O.C. visited HQ 1/Dorset, 2/DEV and 1/Hamps – also R.A.Ps. 2030 One major and 6 ORs rejoined unit from BAYEUX. 2130 Lieut. W.L. PAIN R.A.M.C. arrived from ENGLAND to rejoin unit. 26 June 1944 0830 O.C. and Lieut. PAIN visited ADMS 50 (N) Div and A.D.S. 1200 O i/c Adv. Party 212 Fd. Amb. visited HQ and A.D.S. 1730 Lieut. W.L. Pain R.A.M.C. taken on strength. Capt. GOODALL C. R.A.M.C. posted to 117 F.D.S. and temporarily attached to 48 F.D.S. Capt. CARLSON N.R. RAMC joined unit from 48 F.D.S. O i/c Adv. Party 202 Fd. Amb. visited HQ. Admissions 0600 25/6 to 0600 26/6: Offs. 6. ORs 46. POW: Nil. Total admissions for campaign: Allied 1046 [714 BC, 332 sick]. P.O.W. 55. 27 June 1944 0815 C.O. visited ADS and Bde HQ. 1000 C.O. visited HQ 160 Fd. Amb. of 49 Inf. Div. 1415 Lecture to H.Q. on General War Situation by A.C.C. from 50 (N) Div. Admissions 0600 26/6 to 0600 27/6: Offs Nil. ORs 49. POW Nil. Lieut. Pain sent to 1 Hamps to relieve R.M.O. 28 June 1944 0830 O.C. visited ADS and Bde HQ. 1200 HQ visited by BRASCO 231 Bde. 2000 C.O. visited A.D.S. + Bde HQ. Orders for A.D.S. + MDS to be called “Bde C.C.P” + “A.D.S.” respectively. Admissions 0600 27/6 to 0600 28/6: Off. 4. O.R. 63. POW: Nil. 29 June 1944 0730 O.C. visited C.C.P. and Bde HQ. O.C. visited A.D.M.S. 50 (N) Div. 1800 O.C. visited Bde C.C.P. and Bde HQ. Admissions 0600 28/6 to 0600 29/6: Off. 2. OR. 46. POW Nil. 30 June 1944 0800 C.O. visited C.C.P., Bde HQ and A.D.M.S. 50 (N) Div. 1800 C.O. visited Bde C.C.P + Bde H.Q. Admissions 0600 29/6 to 0600 30/6: Off. 2. OR. 36. POW. Nil. Total to date for campaign: Allied: 1247. POW 55. I hope that is of interest. I confess I don't know why I didn't copy July or August! Apologies. Regards Tom
Hi Tom Lovely to hear from you. Thank you so much for this. Your extract from the second War Diary is exactly what I wanted. I am currently transcribing the first War Diary and I have so far reached the 21st page of 180! I’m at May 1941. I’d be happy to let you know when I reach June/July 1942 but it could be some time. Do you need it urgently? I would also love to try to find out which landing craft my Great Uncle was on when he landed in Gold Beach. And I’m also trying to establish the location of a Casualty Clearing Station close to Bucéels, south of Bayeux where A company were stationed. I think it was at Jerusalem but I cannot confirm 100%. The IWM has video footage of a CCS there. If you know or could give me any pointers this would be great. Thank you again and all best wishes. Claire Seeking info: Pte Thomas F Payne, 7370512, A Company, 200th Field Ambulance, RAMC.
The contemporary map reference for Jerusalem Cemetery is approx 822723 - couldn't see anything close in the war diary, but might have missed it.
Hi Claire, No, there is absolutely no rush at all. Good luck with the transcriptions. You could try looking in the 50 Division ADMS war diary - at that level they often give Location Statements that describe the medical order of battle of the division and unit locations. the war diary of 231 Infantry Brigade might also have copies of the landing tables which might narrow down which craft carried the various parties of 200 Fd Amb. Regards Tom
