Hello, I'm an Italian teacher interested in the WWII and recently I'm looking for data and information on a Canadian medical Captain who was on the Gothic line, exactly in Mondaino, a little hamlet 10 km from Tavullia and 30 km from Rimini, in September 1944. I'm trying to identify him ( name and surname and story). This medical officer saved a child's life in Mondaino in September 1944. Mondaino was freed by the Allied on 1st September 1944. In Mondaino's fortress it was set up a little military hospital the days after its freeing. Before 10th September the military hospital moved northern, but in Mondaino it was left a little field hospital to treat only the Allied soldiers seriously wounded. The child, who was saved, was around 8 years old and his leg was injured by a splinter and it was getting gangrene. On 10th September this child was carried by his brother and mother to the field hospital. Here they found a Canadian Captain, talking French, who helped the boy even if he couldn't treat civilians. The Captain treated surgically the child's leg, gave him medication (400 penicillin units) and saved him. The family never known the Captain' s name. I'm focusing the research on war diaries of 8th Light Field Ambulance and 24th Field ambulance, in order to find the list of medical officers. Unfortunately they seem not to be online, so any help is very much appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help and suggestions. Jennifer
As you say, they don't seem to be available online. The best thing I can think of if you could find a researcher who could go to Library and Archives Canada to photograph the war diaries of those units for September 1944. I know someone who might be able to help. Let me know if I should ask him.
Dear Chris C, I thank you deeply from my heart for your kind help. I have no words to say you how grateful I am. My answer of course is yes! Ask this person if he\she can. Thanks a lot ! Jennifer This is a painting By George Tinning taken in September 1944 in Mondaino (Italy - Gothic Line), where I live and where there was this Canadian field ambulance.
Hi Jennifer, That is a lovely painting! I've let Brad know and I'm going to send him a link to this discussion as it seems the best way to put you two in touch with each other.
From the History of the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps. It shows you the Units of the RCAMC that were in Italy at this time period and “approx” where they were located. Source: Official History of the Canadian Medical Services, 1939-1945, Vol 1 Organization and Campaigns - Canada.ca
Thanks to the Official history I discovered the medical unit that could be in Mondaino in September 1944 (24th field ambulante and 8th light field ambulante). Unfortunately I could not obtain the data I need: the Canadian medical Captain's personal information. That's why I am looking for war diaries. Thank you for tour kind suggestion. I appreciate any help. Jennifer
Jen has also posted a few B&W photos on Facebook, not for the Canadians, you have to scroll down a bit: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=5322989867745693&set=pcb.1295001360908761 The town itself was liberated, after a tough fight by the 2/5th Leicestershire Regiment reflected in this: From: The Italian Campaign | SWWEC Additional information can be found searching with Mondiano in the book 'The Army Medical Services Campaigns · Volume 3' : https://www.google.co.uk/books/edit...field+ambulance"&pg=PA426&printsec=frontcover
Thank you so much David! I found a more precise info in the book you suggested. Slowly approaching the target.
