Thursday 27 September 2007

Etaples and Camiers




Here are three photos from the aforementioned trip - I did warn that they are not the most exciting ever taken! The top one is taken looking straight across the site of 24 General Hospital, Etaples from Avenue du Blanc Pavé - this was where Vera Brittain worked as a VAD during her time in France.
The middle one is 20 General Hospital, Camiers, now a piece of waste land, but the scene of a lot of hard work and suffering 90 years ago.
The bottom photo is taken from the footbridge over Dannes Camiers Station, showing the old sidings running alongside the road which bordered 8 Canadian Stationary Hospital, and Nos.4 and 20 General Hospitals.

10 comments:

  1. Hi sue - just came across yoru site when I was looking for information on 20 General Hospital at Camiers. I have, hopefully temporarily lost ability to fire up my home pc which ahs photos of the hospital froma round 1918/1919 - would these interest you once the pc is back up and running. do you know whas there any form of "War Diary" for the hospital, specifically for period Oct-Dec 1918? Best regards, Jonathan S from the GWF.

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  2. That will teach me to spell-check. Apologies for all those typos! Regards, Jonathan S

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  3. Hi Jonathan - yes, there are some keywords which make this light up on Google - 'Camiers', 'Etaples', and particularly 'Heilly' for some reason! I'd love to see some contemporary photos of the hospital, and so, I'm sure would TR. Please go home at once find the screwdriver. The war diary for the unit is at TNA, WO95/4084 and covers April 1915 - August 1919.

    Best wishes - Sue

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  4. Bugger! I'll have to find time to go to TNA now. I assume you have looked through it - do you recall any reference to Lt-Col Dawson DSO*** of 6/Royal West Kents? Dont want to get your hopes up but just thought I might have those photos on work pc. Will look tomorrow. Jonathan S

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  5. Sue - I have some photos of 20th General Hospital in 1918 and 1919. Send me your e-address via GWF members and I will send on.

    Regards,

    Jonathan S

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  6. Hi Sue - I wonder if you know that the map to which you refer is reproduced in the Museum handbook(THE BRITISH BASE CAMP AT ETAPLES 1914-1918). I have scanned it and can try to send you a copy if you wish if you give me your email address. Don Lane

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  7. Hallo Don

    Thanks very much. I think we were so taken with the map on the wall, that I didn't find the one in the book, though I've been told about it since. I would be very interested in seeing it - I have a less detailed one, which is almost the same, but doesn't have all the huts etc. on it, but does show all the hospitals. If you click on the link on the left-hand menu to 'Scarletfinders' my email link is at the bottom of the main pages.

    Regards --- Sue

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  8. Hi Sue,
    As someone interested in NZ history and living in Flanders Fields (I'm Flemish)I'm looking for information about the n)418 Hospital in Camiers in the period of Sept-Oct 1916 as a soldier I'm doing research on was hospitalised there at that period.
    Do you have any idea how I could proceed?
    I was so very happy that I found your blog and the information you put on it. Splendid work, thank you!
    Dominique

    PS I'm happy to giv eyou more information about myself if you feel the need for it...

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  9. Hallo Dominique

    I'm not sure which hospital you mean by n)418? Why don't you email me direct, and perhaps I might be able to give you some idea. If you click on the 'Scarletfinders' link on the right of the page, you will find direct links to me at the bottom of most of the pages.

    Regards --- Sue

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  10. of any uise to Dominique?
    http://www.vlib.us/medical/CCS/ccs.htm

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