PREVIOUS - JANUARY 1st - 15th 1917



16.01.17
Abbeville
Transfers: Sent DGMS a list of trained staff transferred to Home Establishment whilst on leave during December, and not yet replaced.
Extension of leave: Extension of leave granted to 4 members of the QAIMNSR on medical certificate.

Went to Boulogne – first to the DDMS office, where I saw the DDMS with a view to discussing the best methods of accommodating the women clerks in our medical units, when the time came for them to replace men.
Went to Chateau Mauricien and saw how the arrangements were getting on for the increase in the number of beds there for sick women, to be in readiness by the beginning of the month in view of the large number of clerks arriving for the pay department. Found that the annex to the Chateau Mauricien had been papered and painted, and they were busy getting beds and curtains and other necessaries ready. Here there will be accommodation for 30 clerks – the bedrooms will be comfortable and there will be as well a separate sitting room and bathrooms. If necessary, there is still another wing in this building occupied by men suffering from nephritis, where still further beds could be arranged for the women.
Went to the BRCS Headquarters – the Commissioner in England. Saw the head of the Supply Department – Capt. Guise, who undertook to supply me with all necessaries for the new Sick Sisters’ Hospital at Abbeville, if I sent him a list of requirements. He would do all he could to get what I required, but he emphasised the fact that daily it was getting more difficult to get what one wanted and one had to take what one could get, without trying to arrange any colour scheme. He said he would sent a representative to Abbeville to see what he could do.

17.01.17
Boulogne – Etaples
Stayed the night in Boulogne and returned by Etaples, where I went with the A/Principal Matron to inspect another Villa close to the Villa Tino, which was being taken over with a view to increasing the accommodation for sick women in this area. The Villa is nice, well-built, and attractive, but only capable of holding at the most 12 patients. In the grounds it is proposed to erect huts for 30 more beds and in addition, a large Mess, ante-room, and accommodation for the nursing staff. Went round the Villa Tino – full of patients, all doing well. Found the A/Matron, Miss Morris, ill in bed, and the Medical Officer considered she would have to be sent home. Arranged that Miss Hopton, CHR should take over her duties as A/Matron.
Returned to Abbeville. Found that Lady Algernon Gordon Lennox was waiting to see me on her way to Paris. She discussed with me the Princess Victoria Clubs for Nursing Sisters and I learnt that the new club at Rouen is doing well, and she is looking out for a house at Calais and is anxious to open another in Abbeville.
Detention Hospital: The 2 Sisters who have been looking after Colonel Vesey at the Detention Hospital returned, Col. Vesey having made a good recovery and being transferred to 14 General on his way home.
Increase of allowances: Sent circular to all areas and Armies with reference to the increase of Board and Washing allowance from 21/- to 25/-, authorising that all members could draw the same allowances and that rations as required could be requisitioned for daily, and at the end of the month, when submitting the pay sheet, a certificate as to the number of rations drawn should be attached. The ASC would submit the number of rations drawn to each unit and the bill would then be submitted to the unit for payment. Said that under present arrangements it should be possible to give an extra 6d. a week for washing and it should not be necessary to draw a franc a day for the Mess. Emphasised the fact that it was important for all Matrons to keep a record of the nominal roll and the Mess account, so that they might at any time be inspected by the inspecting officer.

18.01.17
Abbeville
27 Ambulance Train: Interviewed Miss E. K. Thompson with reference to the alleged treatment she received from the OC on the train. She informed me as well that she was engaged to a Lance Corporal working on the train. I asked her to submit a statement. Later I interviewed Miss M. Evans and Miss Mahoney, who denied that anything of an irregular nature had ever occurred on the train. Asked them both to write statements to that effect.
Miss Nolan: Interviewed Miss Nolan, the nurse from the American Ambulance at Paris, a candidate for the QAIMNSR, in accordance with instructions received from the Matron-in-Chief, War Office. She did not strike me as suitable in any way, common, talkative and did not give me the impression of being a satisfactory worker, seemed more interested in massage than in any other branch of work. Apparently from her own statements she is not able to work very smoothly with orderlies.
3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station: War Office letter received notifying the arrival of staff of 8 Canadian nursing Sisters to join 3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station and instructing the present staff, with the exception of Nursing Sister Forrest, to return to England on relief.
Transfer: War Office letter received notifying that Miss D. M. Livock, Staff Nurse, QAIMNSR, will not be retuning to France from sick leave, but will not be taken on to the Home Establishment.
New Zealand Reinforcements: War Office letter received notifying the arrival of a Sister and a Staff Nurse for the New Zealand Stationary Hospital at Amiens.
Appointment to QAIMNS: War Office letter received approving the appointment of Miss E. Haskins to the QAIMNS from the Reserve.
Resignation: War Office letter received accepting the resignation of Miss A. Gover, QAIMNSR.
New Zealand Stationary Hospital: Application received from the DMS, 4th Army, for 6 Sisters for duty at the 3rd section of the New Zealand Stationary Hospital, which is being opened entirely for officers. Gave orders for 6 to proceed with Miss Rogers, TFNS, in charge. Sent with the Sisters a large supply of comforts from Queen Mary’s Needlework Guild, long knitted socks, warm clothing and circular air cushions.
QAIMNSR, South Africa: War Office letter received saying that it had been decided that the members of the South African Nursing Service attached to the QAIMNSR should be permitted to wear their own distinctive uniform.

19.01.17
Help required: The Sister i/c, 42 CCS, telephoned for extra help as they were very busy. The OC was applying through the DMS, 3rd Army.
BRCS Convalescent Home: Miss Crowdy’s sister came to the office to get particulars of the Convalescent Home that the DMS had asked the Red Cross to open for Nursing Sisters at Paris Plage.
DDMS Etaples: The DDMS Etaples, Colonel Carr, came to discuss the question of the increase of beds at the Sick Sisters’ Hospital, Etaples, and to emphasise the fact of the need of a Principal Matron to do the administrative work of the area only, and to say how the want of Mrs. Brice Miller’s, which was still closed, was being felt, owing to the large number of sick Sisters in the area.
BRCS Hostel: DGMS forwarded a letter from Commissioner BRCS, with reference to opening a hostel at Abancourt for Nursing Sisters and VAD Nurses proceeding to Rouen, Havre and Etretat, as he was informed that they often had to spend a night there in consequence of missing the connection. Replied that it was not considered necessary, as Sisters travelling to those places could always stay the night at the Nurses’ Home, Abbeville, if unable to get straight through the same day, and it was thought that the difficulty was only a passing one.
The Hon. Capt. Mrs. Henshaw: The Hon. Capt. Mrs. Henshaw* came to see me. She is visiting all areas with a view to ascertaining the needs of both Sisters and patients for various comforts being supplied by Canada. She also asked me to look out for a house in a suitable locality capable of accommodating 50 Sisters, as a Convalescent Home. She would like all particulars with reference to expenses, rent, etc. She was anxious to get to the front and was hoping we would be able to supply her with a passport, which can only be obtained at GHQ. In consequence she returned to Etaples, and expected to go from there to the front, to the 2nd and 3rd Armies, and then to Paris, Rouen and Havre.

* Julia Willmotte Henshaw, given honorary military rank in the Canadian Militia in 1915

20.01.17
Abbeville
6 Stationary Hospital: Application from the A/Matron, 6 Stationary Hospital, for increase of staff in consequence of opening another ward.
Employment of Female Servant: Application from the DMS, 5th Army, for authority for the employment of female servant for the Sisters’ quarters at 3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station. Returned the correspondence sanctioning the employment and stating that when 34 CCS was in the same unit, it was found necessary to employ a female servant.
Extra help required: Extra help asked for by the DMS, 3rd Army, for 20 and 42 CCS. These 2 units have recently been in the 1st Army and are now again in the 3rd.

Left for Amiens in a heavy snow-storm. Inspected the new Officers’ Hospital – big building – busy taking in officers before the hospital was really ready. Found a little difficulty existing in consequence of the Assistant Matron doing Matron’s duty not understanding that the Section was at present run by British nurses, she having already nominated some of her staff for day and night duty. Went round the hospital with the CO. Found it very crowded with beds, more crowded than some of the men’s wards. Some of the arrangements are not too good. The nursing staff are to be accommodated on the top floor, which is excellent in every respect – separate rooms and nice sitting-room with a good Mess on the ground floor. Went to the main building where I saw the Assistant Matron and the CO, and said I would communicate with the Matron-in-Chief, New Zealand Contingent, and find out if she wished to supply a complete staff for the whole of the unit, but in the meantime, it would be better if the third section were left to be run entirely by British nurses with Miss Rogers as Sister in charge. They both agreed and I told them I would communicate with the DMS of the Army.  After lunch, left in a heavy snow-storm for Rouen. Had great difficulty in getting along in parts as the roads were almost impassable. Arrived at 7 o’clock, went to the DDMS office and reported. Stayed the night at the Hotel Dieppe.

21.01.17
Rouen
After visiting the DDMS office, went to 5 General Hospital, where I saw the Matron, Miss A. A. Wilson, and Colonel Morphew, with reference to the complaint made by Miss Bates, QAIMNSR, a recent arrival, on her treatment in sick quarters at 5 General at the time that the Sick Sisters’ Hospital was full. Found that like so many of these statements there was a certain amount of truth in what she said but there is no doubt that everything possible was done, and Miss Bates, having recently arrived, had quite overlooked the fact that she was on Active Service. Went round the quarters and the hospital and am satisfied that everything is in a satisfactory condition.
From there went to 6 General Hospital where I saw the A/Matron, Miss Lyle, TFNS and the OC Colonel Archer, who reported that everything was going on smoothly but he would be glad when a Matron could be sent to fill Miss Rannie’s place as he considered if help was not sent, Miss Lyle would be knocking up. Had lunch with the DDMS and Colonel Barling, Surgical Specialist, who supplied me with a pattern of dressings for the Carroll-Dakin treatment which he would be glad if I could get supplied from Queen Mary’s Needlework Guild.
After lunch, visited the Sick Sisters’ Hospital with the Base Commandant, General de Gex, the OC, Colonel Butler, the Matron of 8 General, Miss Roscoe, and the Matron of the Sick Sisters’ Hospital, Miss Denton. The new hut is now open and is comfortable in every way – a large Mess with kitchen leading off, an ante-room, 2 large wards of 16 beds, and the usual annexes. We also went round the main building and in both places there were no vacant beds. Went round the grounds with a view to considering where huts could be built to accommodate 50 more patients. The OC undertook to formulate a scheme and submit it to the DDMS, arranging for a central kitchen so that the messing for the different branches of women could be dealt with in the same way as in a General Hospital. The advisability is being considered of devoting the whole of the present building for quarters for the staff. Saw Miss Rannie, who is still seriously ill but the report is that she is daily improving. Received a report from Colonel Pasteur, the Medical Specialist on Miss Rannie’s condition, in which he said it would be some time before it would be safe for her to be evacuated to England and most certainly several months before she would be fit for duty.
Went round 8 General Hospital and saw the improvements and the extension of accommodation for sick officers. Stayed the night.

22.01.17
In the morning went to the In the morning went to the Pay Office to ascertain whether the circular which I had forwarded with reference to the new allowances was satisfactory. The Paymaster said it met the case entirely. He also paid a great tribute to the Matrons and said that the way the monthly returns were done was most excellent.
I interviewed the Hon. Misses Lyttleton, VADs, under instructions from the Matron-in-Chief, War Office, with reference to Sister Dora caps, as they had written home complaining about the loss of the Army cap. The expressed much regret and there will be no further trouble in that respect.
Travelled to Abbeville via Dieppe – a bright day but heavy snow everywhere. Had lunch at 5 Stationary “A” – comfortable quarters. The one weak point in the building is the lack of a sitting-room. Arranged with the A/Matron, Miss Bartlett, for her to look out for billets and quarters for the night people. If this is arranged it will release quite a big room which could be converted into a sitting room. At present their Mess room is used as a living room and as it is somewhat small, the nurses go to bed in preference to sitting up. Went round the hospital which is much improved. It is now entirely hutted – well run and very comfortable; a large number of sick men in. Here also the OC is considering the question of dealing with the arrival of women. He had been informed that a large number of women were arriving immediately to work in the bakery at Dieppe, and he proposed to erect a hut on the other side of the road for accommodating the sick. Returned at 5 p.m.

Abbeville: Found a large amount of work waiting, including the correspondence in connection with 27 Ambulance Train which was forwarded to the OC of the train for information and his remarks.
Appeal for help: The OC of 42 CCS telephoned for more help – 40 officers in.
2 Canadian General Hospital: War Office letter received instructing Matron H. E. Dulmage, CAMC to proceed to Eastbourne for duty at 10 Canadian Stationary Hospital where her services were urgently required, if she were willing and recommended for this duty. A/Matron Goodeve available as relief.
Leave without pay: War Office letter received regretting that 3 months’ leave without pay cannot be granted to Staff Nurse M. Bourdillion, but she can be re-appointed when free to join. VAD Whitten was also refused 6 weeks’ leave without pay, but can rejoin when free.
Transfer: Application received from Staff Nurse M. Cusley, 11 General Hospital, for transfer to Home Establishment as she cannot stand the climate.
Marriage: War Office letter received asking for the married name of Miss O. L. Locke, Staff Nurse, QAIMNSR.
48 CCS: DMS, 4th Army, asked for the staff of 48 CCS opening at Bray. Orders were issued for 8 ladies to join with Miss Barrett, TFNS, in charge.
Recreation Room: Letter received from the Commissioner, BRCS, to DGMS, asking for permission for a staff of 2 VADs to be attached to the BRCS recreation room belonging to 25 General Hospital. This was forwarded to us for remarks and returned, saying that as this room was part of 25 General, it would be quite easy to supply 2 VADs from the staff of 25 General for this duty.
Resignation: Application received from Staff Nurse J. R. Riddell, QAIMNSR, 2 General Hospital, to resign as she is responsible for the maintenance of a house for paying guests, and her services are now urgently required in consequence of the assistant who she left in charge having to take up other work.

23.01.17
Abbeville
27 Ambulance Train: Sister M. Evans, TFNS, came to the office and read Miss E. K. Thompson’s statement with reference to certain irregularities on the train. After previously stating that nothing of an irregular nature had occurred, she wrote a statement agreeing with Miss Thompson’s statement and informing me of other irregularities which had existed.
Admission to QAMNSI: War Office letter received authorising Staff Nurse W. M. Wood, CHR, to apply for admission into the QAMNSI.
Mrs. Lloyd, VAD: War Office letter received terminating the engagement of Mrs. Lloyd, VAD, late 6 General Hospital, in military hospitals. Sent for information to DDMS, Rouen and Command Paymaster.
1 Canadian General Hospital: Received War Office instructing Matron V.C. Nesbitt, 1 Canadian General to report at Headquarters, London, for duty in England. Repeated the instructions to Etaples.
47 CCS: DMS, 5th Army, rang up to ask for staff of 47 CCS to be instructed to join on the 25th. Staff selected and orders given.
Transfer: War Office letter received informing us that Mrs. G. L. Hanley, née Shelley, now on leave in England, would not be returning to France and had been posted to a Home Hospital.
Recreation Room: Instructed the Matron, 25 General, to select 2 suitable VADs for duty in the new recreation hut recently supplied by the BRCS for their hospital.

24.01.17
Reinforcements: 25 VADs arrived at Boulogne from England and were posted to the Rouen area.
27 Ambulance Train: Correspondence with reference to 27 Ambulance Train forwarded to DGMS.
47 CCS: Interviewed A/Sister Roy, QAIMNS, before proceeding to 47 CCS as Sister in charge. Gave her instructions as to various points to bear in mind, and gave her a large supply of Red Cross and QMNG things to assist in opening her new unit. The weather continues extremely cold and there are several degrees of frost.
Application for QAIMNS: Application received from Sister M. Ashworth, TFNS, to transfer to the QAIMNS Forwarded an application form to 3 General Hospital for completion.
Transfer: Application received from A/Sister A. M. Hill, QAIMNSR, to transfer to the UK for duty as she does not feel strong enough for work in France. Forwarded and recommended.
Return from sick leave: War Office letter received notifying us that Staff Nurse Baudinet and Weatherhead, AANS, would be embarking for duty in France.
2 Canadian Stationary: War Office letter received instructing Sister I. Connor, 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital, to be transferred to 2 Canadian CCS in relief of a Sister invalided to England.
Canadian moves: War Office letters received instructing Miss M. Fay, 7 Canadian General, and Miss S. J. Robley, 1 Canadian CCS, to return to England. Miss M. Gallaher will be proceeding to France. Miss M. E. Smith, 1 Canadian General, to be struck off strength.
Australian Reinforcements: War Office letter received notifying that 6 Sisters and 4 Staff Nurses of the AANS should be embarking for France for duty with 2 Australian General Hospital.

25.01.17
New Year Honours: Surgeon General Keogh, Director General at the War Office, awarded a GCB and Surgeon General Neville Howse, AIF, a KCMG.
16 General Hospital: The OC, 16 General Hospital, called with reference to the accommodation and messing arrangements for the nursing staff working in the infectious division of the hospital. Part of one of the huts was going to be divided off to keep the staff entirely separate and he was hoping to be able to arrange for a suitable hut to be set apart in the infectious division as a Mess, sitting-room and small room for the Sister in charge. This ought to answer well enough as the hut is quite close to the kitchen and the cook would be able to cook for them.
New Zealand Reinforcements: Wrote to the Matron-in-Chief, NZANS, with reference to the increase of staff needed for the New Zealand Stationary Hospital, in consequence of opening a third section to be devoted entirely to officers. Said that at present I had ordered 16 British nurses for duty there in consequence of shortage of staff, but if she had the nurses to supply and approved, I would apply officially for the nurses needed to work the unit in a satisfactory manner.
Exchanges: Wrote to the Matron-in-Chief with reference to the 20 transfers who were being supplied in the coming month, reported also on Miss Rannie’s condition – satisfactory and a steady improvement, and informed her that I had interviewed the Hon. Misses Lyttleton according to her wishes.
VAD Latham: Received a letter from Mrs. Furse, Commandant-in-Chief, VADs, informing me that as the correspondence had been forwarded to the War Office by DGMS, she had forwarded to Mr. Stanley all the correspondence she had on the same subject.
Investiture: Circulated instructions to all areas with reference to investitures, and instructed 6 Nursing Sisters recently awarded the Military Medal to attend on February 5th at Buckingham Palace at 10 o’clock and to proceed later to Marlborough House at noon, where they would be presented to Queen Alexandra.
Resignation: Received a War Office letter accepting the resignation of Staff Nurse W. A. Todd, 7 Stationary Hospital.
Transfer: Received application from Sister Langford, 1 Australian General Hospital, to be transferred to Australia owing to the serious illness of her father. Forwarded to DGMS.

26.01.17
Abbeville
Sick Sisters: Received notification from the A/Matron, 5 Stationary, that Staff Nurse Bunting, 2/2 London CCS, had diphtheria and was being transferred by ambulance to 16 General Hospital and a Sister was accompanying her.
Principal Matrons: War Office letter received saying it had been decided to proceed no further with the proposal to appoint A/Principal Matrons for Boulogne, Rouen and Etaples, independent of any hospital. Forwarded a copy to the DDMS of Etaples.
Resignation: War Office letter received notifying the resignation of Miss L. A. O’Keefe, VAD, on the 18th inst.
Extension of leave: Miss Wilson, Matron, 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital, came from Doullens with Sister McLeod who was admitted to 5 Stationary suffering from a cold and with a history of 3 attacks of appendicitis. Miss Wilson asked that, when considered fit, she might be operated on, and she was very anxious to be informed when and where the operation would take place and who the surgeon would be. Informed her that when fit Miss McLeod would be transferred to the Villa Tino, where Surgeon-General Makin would operate and she should be kept daily informed of her condition.

27.01.17
5 CCS: Telephone message received from DMS, 4th Army, asking for the nursing staff to be supplied for 5 CCS on the 31st. Selected the staff and issued instructions to that effect, nominating Miss Church, QAIMNSR as Sister in charge.
39 CCS: Was also informed that 39 CCS was closing and the staff had been instructed to return to the Nurses’ Home with all their luggage, until the unit was established in a new position and ready to receive them.
DMS, 3rd Army rang up to know if I could go to lunch on the 28th as the Army Commander was anxious to meet me. Accepted and arranged to be there at 1 o’clock and to proceed afterwards to all the Clearing Stations in that area, spending the night at 12 Stationary, St. Pol.
Sister Bernard, CAMC: War Office telegram received from DGMS instructing Sister H. Bernard, 8 Canadian General Hospital, to report to the DMS, Canadian Contingents, in consequence of an unfavourable report.
Appeal for help: DMS, 2nd Army, asking for increase of 2 Sisters for 2 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, in consequence of taking in officers and the work getting extremely heavy. He also informed me that Sister Graham, TFNS, 10 CCS, had suddenly developed mental symptoms and was being sent with 2 Sisters to 10 Stationary Hospital.

28.01.17
Application for QAIMNS: War Office letter received with reference to the application of Miss H. L. Fox, QAIMNSR, for appointment in the QAIMNS, informing her that her age debarred her from admission.
1 Canadian General Hospital: Received War Office letter informing us that, on arrival of Miss V. C. Nesbitt, Matron E. C. Campbell will proceed for duty with 1 Canadian General Hospital.
Miss A. Fogarty: War Office letter received informing us that Miss A. Fogarty, QAIMNSR, had been posted to the Military Hospital, Cork, for one month, when a further board would be held as to her fitness to return to France. Returned correspondence, informing them that Miss Fogarty was one of those transferred for duty with the Home Establishment.

Left for 3rd Army, arriving at St. Pol at midday, where I saw the DMS of the Army, who told me that I should be prepared for 3 more Casualty Clearing Stations shortly to open in the Army for which he would require nursing staff. Had lunch at the Mess where I met General Allenby, who discussed various matters in connection with the Nursing Services. After lunch, visited 30 CCS where I found the Sister in charge in bed with an attack of bronchitis. Arranged for her to be transferred by ambulance to the Nurses’ Home and instructed the senior Sister to carry on and I would send extra help. Everything going smoothly and satisfactorily. Found 42 CCS extremely busy and arranged to send extra help. Both in the officers’ section in the Hospice and in the hutted part they were more than busy, and it was bitterly cold. Everywhere there is great difficulty in getting water, and the only way to keep the medicines from freezing is to keep them in front of the fire.
From there to Avesnes to 37 CCS – not very busy – even colder than at Aubigny, but the best arrangements were being made both for the patients and the nursing staff.
Arrived at 12 Stationary Hospital in a heavy snowstorm. Spent the night there. The hospital is well arranged, well managed and the whole staff are excellent, but the intense cold is causing great difficulties everywhere.

29.01.17
Left early. Visited 41 CCS at Wanquetin with Sister B. J. D. Reid in charge. The unit is doing good work and expected in a day or two to receive orders to move forward. The staff at present are very comfortably established in a house quite close to the unit. The patients look well cared for and there were a great many seriously ill as well as wounded men.
Went to Harbarcq to the Field Ambulance. Everything in order. One Field Ambulance has moved forward and another one has taken its place. A staff of 3 is ample here, as only serious abdominal cases are taken in. The work is extremely sad but very useful.
From there I went to Warlincourt Halte [sic] where I visited 20 and 43 CCS. Both these units going smoothly and well. Both Sisters in charge are long overdue for leave and I arranged for them to put in for it and I would send a capable Sister in charge to 43, and instruct her to superintend 20 as well, the senior Sister there acting during Miss Blair’s absence. I discussed these arrangements with the OCs and they felt it would prove quite satisfactory. These units had just evacuated and only the more seriously wounded were left. At 43 CCS I saw an enormous shell hole where a shell had landed in the middle of the day – fortunately there was no loss of life, but bits of the shell were scattered at a great distance from the spot.
Then to Lucheux to the Officers’ Hospital. This unit is doing most excellent work – large numbers of officers come down to rest for a time and then go back to the line. There are 2 senior Sisters working here and the place is run in a first-rate manner, established in a beautiful chateau in beautiful grounds.
From there I went to 6 Stationary Hospital, Frevent, where I spent the night. The accommodation for the Sisters is first-rate – entirely hutted. Here like everywhere else both patients and staff are feeling the very severe cold.

30.01.17
Left early for the 5th Army. Visited 3 and 44 CCS at Puchevillers, where everything was going in a smooth and satisfactory manner and the nursing staff of both are established in huts, each having a comfortable Mess. Had lunch with the DMS of the Army, and after lunch visited Varennes. The cold was intense and every effort was being made to make both the patients and the personnel as comfortable as possible under the circumstances. The need of water is more felt here than anywhere I have been. 4 and 11 CCS have improved very much since my last visit and 47 CCS, which had only recently arrived, was in the thick of getting things into order ready for any emergency. Returned by Doullens, arriving at 6 o’clock.

During my absence found that from all areas reports were arriving of the difficulty of any form of transit – trains disorganised and held up for long periods. Every effort being made to convey coal to all places where they are short, and in all parts of France everyone suffering from the severe frost which shows no signs of lessening.
Resignation: War Office letter received accepting the resignation of Miss Dods, QAIMNSR, on termination of contract, also of Staff Nurse F. A. Robinson, on expiration of sick leave.
Transfer: War Office letter received approving the transfer to England for duty of Sister A. Kitchin, AANS.
Miss Graham, TFNS: Received notification that Miss Graham, late of 10 CCS, was being transferred home suffering from mental disorder, and two Sisters were accompanying her.
Miss Latham, VAD: Received correspondence from DGMS with reference to Miss Latham, VAD, which the Chairman of the Joint Committee had received from DGMS War Office, and his reply.
VADs returning to England: Sent DGMS list of 16 VAD Members who joined Army Service in July, 1915, and January and July, 1916, who are returning to England on termination of contract, and attached reports.

31.01.17
Abbeville
Reinforcements: 23 VAD Members and 2 Special Probationers arrived from England and were posted.
Sick Sisters: Received telephone message from Boulogne to say that Sister Mabel Davis, QAIMNS, was on the seriously ill list, suffering from lymphangitis, and her friends had been notified.
Resignation: War Office letter received, notifying the acceptance of the resignation of Miss V. Chichester Constable, VAD, now sick in England.
Return from sick leave: War Office letter received notifying the return from sick leave of Staff Nurse D. M. Priestley, QAIMNSR.
Transfer: War Office letter received, notifying that Miss D. King, QAIMNSR, was found fit for duty and was being posted to a Home Hospital. Sent telegram to DGMS asking that Miss Lindsay, QAIMNSR and Miss Ord, TFNS, might be retained on Home Establishment, as before going on leave they had notified their intention of asking for an extension.


Establishments opened
Phalsbourg Hotel (2 General), on 1.1.17: Staff supplied – 11 Trained, 7 Untrained
Officers’ Section, New Zealand Stationary Hospital, on 19.1.17: Staff supplied – 8
48 CCS, on 23.1.17: Staff supplied – 8
47 CCS, on 25.1.17: Staff supplied – 8

Establishments closed
3 Ambulance Trains, on 7.1.17: Staff released – 9
39 Casualty Clearing Station, on 30.1.17: Staff released – 7
Total – 16

Arrivals
Trained – 7
Untrained – 4

Transfers to Home Establishment
Trained – 7
Untrained – 4

Sent home sick
Trained – 27
Untrained – 18

Returned from sick leave
Trained – 25
Untrained – 13

Total sick at present in England
Trained – 95
Untrained – 56

Resignations sent forward
Trained – 9

Approximate no. of leaves granted - 430

VADs returned to England
Termination of contract – 59
Resigned – 6
Invalided – 16
Special Probationers returned
Termination of contract – 2
Resigned – 1
Total – 84