John_Hartley Posted 17 May , 2003 Share Posted 17 May , 2003 Another of my war memorial researchees, Pte E Spratt, was killed on 26 November 1915 and is buried in Mericourt L'Abbe Communal Cemetery. The local newspaper reported that he had "just left the front line and was on duty at the base hospital when he was killed by a bomb dropped by an enemy aircraft". My query relates to the likely meaning of "base hospital" in this context. Could it really mean hospital or is it more likely to be a CCS or ADS? Anyone want to speculate? John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Light Posted 17 May , 2003 Share Posted 17 May , 2003 John My guess would be that it refers to the position of 55th Field Ambulance itself. It would probably be a tented 'compound', and bearing in mind that there would probably be two to three hundred officers and men attached, might be described as the 'hospital'. Although near to Heilly, there was not a CCS there until 1916. Regards - Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Reed Posted 18 May , 2003 Share Posted 18 May , 2003 If he was with a Field Ambulance, then he could only have been serving at an ADS, MDS or DCP (Divisional Collecting Post) - most likely an ADS. Field Ambulances did not operate above this level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 20 May , 2003 Author Share Posted 20 May , 2003 Sue/Paul As usual, you both come up trumps. Many thanks. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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