Jump to content
Free downloads from TNA ×
The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

More Deciphering of Army Discharge documents from 1919


TriciaM

Recommended Posts

My paternal Grandfather, William Boddington Dean Morton, was discharged from the Army on 30.1.19 as "Being no longer physically fit for War Service"

underneath this is the following

"Boarded Western Com.Dis Con Litherland 30,1.19"

 

What does this mean?

 

Underneath that is the following:

"Disability Gassed, D A H Neurasthenia Active Service 6 months"

 

Thank you,

Tricia

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Boarded would mean that his medical condition and his physical ability to remain in the Army would have been assessed by a Medical Board/Tribunal/Committee consisting of more than one doctor, possibly 3, but I can't quote you exact details. These Boards were located in different geographical areas, and I guess Litherland (if you have transcribed it correctly) would be a place name  where the Medical Board was held. Perhaps a scan of the document would help.

 

Boards are mentioned indirectly  in the online book

The Soldier's Heart and the Effort Syndrome by Thomas Lewis MD FRCP [1918]. The Preface states ” It is written primarily with the intention of helping medical officers of recruiting, discharging and pensioning boards and …”. Includes "Appendix: Medical Reports on Discharged Soldiers" page 114. Note, some of the medical views expressed may be considered incorrect today.

 

Cheers

Maureen

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Maureen,

 

Attached is the record.  The information is at the bottom left hand side.

 

William was sent 'Home' from France on 18.11.1917 after being injured.  A gunshot wound to his right ankle is recorded on 10.11.1917.  We do not know where he was sent to 

 

Litherland is part of Liverpool.  We assume he met our Nana when up there.

 

Thanks.

 

Tricia

William B D Morton WW1 Record Page 3.pdf

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He was assessed by a Medical Board at Litherland (he would have been in hospital or convalescent home in the local area), and the Board diagnosed his condition as being due to having been gassed, plus Disordered Action of the Heart, plus Neuraesthenia. DAH is an old fashioned diagnosis referring to what was known as 'effort syndrome' (search for DAH on this forum and you'll find plenty of information). Neuraesthenia is the old fashioned term for what we might now describe as Post Traumatic Stress or perhaps the slightly less old fashioned term of 'Shell Shock' (it literally refers to the person having 'weak nerves' which was one of the early theories as to why some individuals were affected by battlefield conditions while others weren't). They considered that his 'disability' could be expected at that point to last 6 months.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...