War diary extract: 131 Field Ambulance, August 1917

[earthdog]

I'm researching my great Uncle, Edward James Robbins (Pte 29856, 11th Bn., South Wales Borderers), "died of wounds" on 20 August 1917, and the place of death is given as "131 Fld. Amb." So I ordered an extract of the 131 Field Ambulance war diary to see if I could find where they were based on the date in question. I though the extract (Crown Copyright) might be of use to others. The handwriting was frequently difficult to decipher but I think I'm 99% there. A few words eluded me, hence the occasional "..."

I've found Canada Farm at the reference in the "Place" column. Actually, it's (not surprisingly) adjacent to Canada Farm Cemetery. So far though, I've not found the precise locations for Pelissier Farm (appears in the extract as "Pelisser"), nor Mouton Farm. If anyone could help me with those, I'd be very grateful.

Also, does anyone know what "P.B. Day" or "C.W.W.S" are? Otherwise, I hope it's of some use.

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information Remarks and
references to
Appendices Sheet 28
A.18.a.1.7 1/8/17 A very wet day. Country is a quagmire. Very difficult for bearers to work. Additional M.O. sent to Canal Bank. 2/8/17 Weather like yesterday. Sent another additional M.O. to Canal Bank. Fifty bearers sent down for a night’s rest — to report again at Canal Bank at 6 A.M. tomorrow. Visits from D.D.M.S. XIV Corps & A.D.M.S. 38 Division. 3/8/17 In order to save sick wastage A.D.M.S. 38th Division decides to have slight cases treated in bivouacs here instead of sending them to C.R.S. They will not go to Corps Sick Collecting post.
50 stretcher bearers came down for night’s rest. 20 report at Canal Bank tomorrow 6 A.M. 4 5/8/17 38th Div. relieved by 20th Div. 129 & 130 F.A. go to Proven Area. 131 remain at Canada Farm to run C.M.D.S. 6/8/17 Bearers and M.O.s return to unit from Canal Bank.
A Bosch shell dropped in C.M.D.S. compound — no casualties — Several casualties by another shell in road in front of C.M.D.S.
Another M.O. Capt: McMillan joined unit. 7/8/17 2 M.O.s — Lieut Parsons and Castleton sent to 129 & 130 F.A.s. 8/8/17 M.O. — Lieut Rourke — evacuated to C.C.S. — ear trouble.
Visited Field Cashier at Proven to draw pay.
A good many shells fall in neighbourhood of & about camp. D H Mills-Roberts Lt. Col O/C 131 Field Ambulance Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information Remarks and
references to
Appendices Sheet 28
A.18.a.1.7 9/8/17 D.D.M.S. visits camp — All living that were ... from Corps Supply for evacuation purposes to return to this headquarters. 10/8/17 M.O. detailed to 17thR.W.F. to replace own going on leave. 11/8/17 2 U.S.A. M.O.s report for duty. Arrange with No. 3. F.A. to open on alternate nights. Work having slackened there is no need to keep both ambulances open every night. 12/8/17 R.E. Officer called to inspect road leading to & from C.M.D.S. — surface is very rough for wounded patients — two loads of broken granite sent to place on & ... rough first ... & pit props used for making road. 13/8/17 Sick Collecting post is placed under control of O/C C.M.D.S. (is O/C 131 F.A.)
D.D.M.S. visits camp. 14/8/17 P.B. Day. A.D.M.S. visits camp and presents military medal to L. Cpl. Davies for galantry near International ... Three football medals also presented to members of R.A.M.C. team — recently up in inter Divisional football competition each ambulance allotted 5 medals — two men from unit (131 F.A.) away on leave. D H Mills-Roberts Lt. Col O/C 131 Field Ambulance Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information Remarks and
references to
Appendices Sheet 28
A.18.a.1.7 15/8/17 D.D.M.S. visited C.M.D.S. Accompanied him to C.W.W.S. at Mouton Farm. O/C 4 M.A.C. reported himself for duty in view of operation — 30 M.A.C. came on duty at C.M.D.S. 16/8/17 Z Day for 20th & 29th divisions. All objectives attained. 28 Officers & 371 O.R. 20th Division } passed through 131 F.A. 5 " 6 " 38th " 1 " 11 " Corps Troops 17/8/17 Order received that 38th Div is to relieve 20th Div — movements to be completed on 19/8/17. Bearers 131 F.A. to go to Canal Bank to be attached to 131 F.A. who will be clearing. 18/8/17 Three more ambulances sent to Pelisser Farm to report to O/C 130 F.A. who has his H.Q. there. Horses and men to be rationed by 131 F.A.
An officer from 129 is to run the Corps. Collecting Sick Post at Canada Farm. Capt. Riddle reported accordingly. 19/8/17 Sunday. Routine work. Visit by A.D.M.S. 38th Division. 20/8/17 M.O. detailed to attend sick at Div Headquarters — & H Camp. 9 Off } admitted 96 O.R. 21/8/17 Capt. Graham Jones R.A.M.C. evacuated ... (sciatica) to C.C.S. Capt. Reynolds R.A.M.C. rejoined unit. 4 Officers } admitted 93 O.R. D H Mills-Roberts Lt. Col O/C 131 Field Ambulance

[earthdog]

Well, that's incredibly irritating, when I pasted it in, it was all nicely formatted in a table (as was my source), but I see that's been stripped. I hope it still makes some sense.

[sotonmate]

War Diary for Assistant Director Medical Services 38 Division will have full detail on the disposition of, orders and maybe maps for,it's FAs. Reference WO95/2543 covers August 1917.Not digital yet though.

[clive_hughes]

Major R.H.Mills-Roberts was a Boer War veteran, and in August 1914 the 52-year-old Chief Surgeon at the Dinorwic slate quarries in North-west Wales. He was also one of the two Majors of the 6th (Carnarvonshire & Anglesey) Battalion RWF (TF), and the only officer of the unit (aside from the attached Regular adjutant) to have seen active service. He was initially reluctant to leave his Territorial colleagues, but transferred over to the 38th Welsh Division to command the Field Ambulance. He was later Deputy Commander of Medical Services for North Wales.

Clive

[combat gynaecologist]

Mouton Farm is at map sheet 28NW1 B14a2.8 just to the west of Elverdinghe and in August 1917 was used as XIV Corps Collection Station for walking wounded.

The war diary of the 130th (St John) Field Ambulance have their location at Priory Camp F10c8.6 on 15/08/1917.

PB is a medical grading meaning permanent base i.e. unfit for duty in forward area.

[stiletto_33853]

Mouton Farm

[Ron Clifton]

Hello earthdog, and welcome to the Forum!

 

As you see from the map, Mouton Farm was the CWWCP, or Corps Walking Wounded Collecting Post, for XIV Corps. I think that CWWS must mean Corps Walking Wounded Station, i.e. the same thing.

 

Whereas PB usually means Permanent Base, it doesn't seem to fit the context here.

 

Ron