Gassed (shell W) meaning

[BillyH]

On an admission + discharge document for 51st Field Ambulance in 1918 there is a long list of casualties admitted, all of them suffering from gas.      The description of their injuries are all written as "Gassed (shell W)"

So my question is what does the "W" signify? is it simply wound or is it describing which type of gas (chlorine, mustard, etc).

BillyH.

[Matlock1418]

13 minutes ago, BillyH said:

On an admission + discharge document for 51st Field Ambulance in 1918 there is a long list of casualties admitted, all of them suffering from gas.      The description of their injuries are all written as "Gassed (shell W)"

So my question is what does the "W" signify? is it simply wound or is it describing which type of gas (chlorine, mustard, etc).

I believe it stands for Wound, without categorisation beyond 'gas' from a shell - so some types will be ruled out dependant on the date [chlorine was only a gas cloud for example and used more/earlier in the war]

I would hazard by 1918 Mustard would be a highly likely contender for a 'gas' shell.

M

Edited 8 August , 2023 by Matlock1418