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Remembered Today:

Hospitals in France


joan bourgeois

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Hello everyone,

If a Soldier in the Royal Irish Rifles, was injured on December 30th 1914, which Hospital would he have been taken to?

Many thanks,

Joan

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Which unit:

http://www.1914-1918.net/ririfles.htm

That would be a good start.

In Canada we are lucky that almost all our War Diaries are intact so with the Battalion level information, Brigade at the worst, we could answer this question with ease.

But I understand many of the UK War Diaries were lost in WWII from the bombing and fires in London.

Good luck with your hunt! I will be watching with interest.

Richard

Grandson of a Royal Irish Rifle Captain

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Joan did you mean their field hospitals or hospitals back home?

Regards,

Phil

In the obit I read for my GFather, it states:

"Died in Hospital in France"

He was in the Royal Irish Rifles, 2nd Btn.

Many thanks,

Joan

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Could you post his details please.

Regards,

Phil

Hi Phil,

Thank you for your interest.

GEORGE SMYTH

ROYAL IRISH RIFLES

#9001 PRIVATE

DIED DEC. 30TH, 1914

BURIED AT LAVENTIE CEMETERY

In the Obituary notice in Belfast, it states:

Died in Hospital in France.

Joan

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There are 7 cemeteries associated with Laventie:

http://www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_Result...ryName=Laventie

1 LAVENTIE COMMUNAL CEMETERY FrancePas de Calais

2 RUE-DU-BACQUEROT No.1 MILITARY CEMETERY, LAVENTIE FrancePas de Calais

3 FAUQUISSART MILITARY CEMETERY, LAVENTIE FrancePas de Calais

4 LAVENTIE MILITARY CEMETERY, LA GORGUE FranceNord

5 EUSTON POST CEMETERY, LAVENTIE FrancePas de Calais

6 ROYAL IRISH RIFLES GRAVEYARD, LAVENTIE FrancePas de Calais

7 RUE-DU-BACQUEROT (13th LONDON) GRAVEYARD, LAVENTIE FrancePas de CalaisPage 1

I have to guess it is # 6 as it is designated as the RIR Graveyard. I would hate to lose so many men that they named the graveyard after the unit!

Some cemetery records tell of the Casualty Clearing Stations or Hospitals that are nearby. However in this case they do not give that level of detail:

http://www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_detail...6011&mode=1

It is likely the place, as it was started in November 1914. On checking the details, I see your man is listed there on this page:

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_detail...casualty=597812

I will stay tuned for further details from others!

Richard of Canada

Grandson of a Royal Irish Rifle Soldier

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Joan

As he is buried at Laventie, your grandfather would never have reached 'hospital' - it is much too far forward for the time. Even the Casualty Clearing Stations (few at the time) were too far away - if he'd been taken back to one of them, he would have been buried there. So if the obituary has any accuracy, he must have died at one of the smaller medical units - a Field Dressing Station/Regimental Aid Post or Field Ambulance. No.19 Field Ambulance had been in the Laventie area in late October 1914, but there was a great deal of movement and action, and it's possible that it moved on fairly quickly. His service record, if it survives, is likely to be the only real indicator of where he was taken.

Sue

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Hi Joan

If you didn't know he is buried at Laventie R.I.R Graveyard, Pas de Calais. Ref. I A 2.

Regards Barry

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