Allan1892 Posted 28 March Share Posted 28 March William enlisted into the 6th Btn GH in September 1914. Landed in France 4/2/1915. He was admitted to 2nd General Hospital on the 22/3/1916 suffering from Influenza. On the 26/3/1916 he was transferred to Rfts Cinder City -- can anyone tell me what Rfts Cinder City was? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thetrenchrat22 Posted 28 March Share Posted 28 March 7 minutes ago, Allan1892 said: William enlisted into the 6th Btn GH in September 1914. Landed in France 4/2/1915. He was admitted to 2nd General Hospital on the 22/3/1916 suffering from Influenza. On the 26/3/1916 he was transferred to Rfts Cinder City -- can anyone tell me what Rfts Cinder City was? That’s a new one on me, where has this come from. post a copy of the document, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan1892 Posted 28 March Author Share Posted 28 March From the Admissions / Discharge register of the 2nd General Hospital -- attached image shows Rfts Havre for 4 soldiers and the last two shows Rfts Cinder City (image courtesy of Find My Past) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thetrenchrat22 Posted 28 March Share Posted 28 March Rfts could that be reinforcements what are the headings of the columns Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan1892 Posted 28 March Author Share Posted 28 March The heading of the last column is 'Observations' and is the column that is used to enter where the soldier has been discharged to -- e.g. 'to duty'; 'to convalescent depot'; 'to ambulance train' etc. I don't think it stands for reinforcements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock1418 Posted 28 March Share Posted 28 March Might 'Cinder City' be some sort of code or nickname for Convalescent Camp? Or a convalecent camp in particular?? Might be appropriate for those suffering/having suffered from influenza ??? M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin RussT Posted 28 March Admin Share Posted 28 March Search the Forum for Cinder City and you'll find this article. In Havre I believe. Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock1418 Posted 28 March Share Posted 28 March (edited) 23 minutes ago, RussT said: Search the Forum for Cinder City and you'll find this article. In Havre I believe. Russ Sent there for convalescence one [well I] might presume. M Edited 28 March by Matlock1418 typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan1892 Posted 28 March Author Share Posted 28 March Thank you both, from the newspaper article I tried another search using 'Cinder City Havre' and up popped this: The term “Cinder City” refers to different contexts, so let’s explore a couple of them: Cinder City during World War I: During World War I, Cinder City was a nickname for Le Havre, a French port on the English Channel. Le Havre served as a primary base for the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) throughout the war. The inhabitants of Cinder City were men who had “done their bit” but, for various reasons, were not fit to return to active duty. These individuals were often stationed in Le Havre, where they played essential roles in supporting the war effort. Hospitals, rest camps, and other facilities were established in the town to care for the troops1. Le Havre was a crucial transit point for British and Commonwealth troops moving to and from the Western Front. Thousands of soldiers passed through the city, making it a bustling hub during the war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan1892 Posted 29 March Author Share Posted 29 March The text below would confirm that Cinder City was indeed at Le Havre. (excerpt courtesy of the IWM) SENTENCED TO DEATH Alfred Evans, Harry Stanton and Howard Marten were three of seventeen COs who were imprisoned in Harwich in May 1916 ........ One night they were moved across the Channel to Le Havre and an army camp called Cinder City. On Cinder City’s vast parade ground, about a thousand soldiers were lined up, with the seventeen COs scattered among them. ‘The parade was then ordered to right turn, quick march. Not one of us seventeen moved.’ There was a lot of shouting from the officers, then small groups of soldiers were sent back to drag the COs off. ‘For a short time it must have been an amazing sight to see us scattered motionless over the huge (and now empty) parade ground.’ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin RussT Posted 29 March Admin Share Posted 29 March Thanks for posting. I'd never heard of it before myself. Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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