South African Military Nursing Service

[gnr.ktrha]

Hello,

I have been reading the service papers of an English Nurse who served in the SAMNS. She was at first in the Military hospital in Wynberg, then trans ferred to service on a Hospital ship before serving on the Western front.

I have two questions really. Firstly when she is granted leave and also a pay increase, after the entry it has SAMC 42 and SAMC 46. Now I understand this is South African medica Corps, but do the numbers relate to a Company or a hospital, or to something else? This is how they are written-

''Granted £2.10.0 annual increment of pay from 4/9/17 SAMC 42 13/10/17''

The service papers do not say in which Hospital she worked in France, as far as I can see. I take it the South Africans set up there own hosptials ?

One of her entries under Remarks states she is with ''Heavy Artillery'' ! Which is a bit of a surprise

My last question relates to some time she spent in hospital due to an unknown illness. The entry reads-

11.5.17 P.V.O Slt Le Treport 3 Gen H

27.5.17 '' '' '' Tfd to Sisters Conv H Hardelot fr 10/7/17

So I understand she was admitted to the 3rd General Hospital at Le Treport and was later transferred to the Sisters Conv. Hospital. But what does P.V.O slt stand for, must be ''slight'' something?

Thanks for looking.

Stewart

[CarylW]

Stewart

If you take a look here in an online Medical Abbreviation Dictionary, several results come up for "PVO"

http://www.pharma-lexicon.com/

Caryl

[gnr.ktrha]

Hello,

Thanks for the link, however I now think it must be PUO, which is Pyrexia of Unknown Origin.

Was is common for SA Nurses to be attached to Heavy Artillery? Does anyone know of any good websites relating to the SA Medical Branch and there uniforms?

Thanks,

Stewart

[Sue Light]

Stewart

There was just one South African Hospital in France during the war - No.1 South African General arrived in July 1916, and opened in Abbeville, immediately adjacent to No.2 Stationary Hospital [british]. However many of the nurses, at one time or another, were seconded for temporary duty at British units, to help fill gaps, and in December 1916, 25 members of the South African Military Nursing Service were sent to France specifically to be attached to Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve, and to work entirely in British units.

In similar fashion to the Americans, some nurses worked in surgical teams in advance areas, and in May and June 1918, two members of S.A.M.N.S. were attached to 9th Corps, working on the French front during the Battle of Champagne.

Their uniform:

... consists of tussore coloured washing material, with [navy] blue cape for Sisters, and tussore cape edged with blue for Staff-Nurses, white linen collar and cuffs and apron, and Army cap. The outdoor uniform consists of a navy blue long coat and blue hat for winter, or white hats with blue band for summer, with springbok badges...

This description comes from a short report of the service held at The National Archives - I have it as a Word document - if you would like a copy, email me and I'll send it.

Sue

[gnr.ktrha]

Hello Sue,

Thank you very much for all of your information, it has been a great help. I have been finding it very difficult to find any information on the South African Nursing Services.

I still find it odd that she was attached to ''Heavy Artillery''. Has anyone ever come across anything like this before? It is clearly marked on her service card with other items listed below, and it has never been crossed out, which I would have expected if it had been a mistake.

Regards,

Stewart

[petestarling]

Stewart

have a look at the following web site

http://samilitaryhistory.org/

If you go to the journal index there is an article on the SA Military Nursing Service which includes WW1 accompanied by a photograph. I think it is Volume 1.

Pete Starling

[gnr.ktrha]

Hello,

Thanks for the link Pete, very interesting and great to see a photo of the uniform as well.

Regards,

Stewart

[gnr.ktrha]

Hello,

here is part of her service history sheet.

Regards,

Stewart

Hello,

here is part of her service history sheet.

Regards,

Stewart

[Sparky53]

I was lucky enough to find this soldier's burnt record Pte James Russell 20561 1 North Staffordshire Regiment. He has a great many things in common with my Gt Uncle Pte James Keeling 20558 that I feel they were probably friends & enlisted together.

James Russell was wounded in action 13 August 1916 and was taken to South African General Hospital. He was transferred to England 23 August 1916 GSW Back, Head & ?.

( 1 N Staffs War Diary says they were near GUILLEMONT 13/8/1916 Enemy bombardment of front line, 2nd line & HOLLOW ROAD 7 ORs killed 20 wounded)

He went to Duchess of Connaught Canadian Red Cross Hospital,Taplow, Bucks.

The poor chap hung on for a long time before eventually dying.

There is a telegram to officer in charge of records 1 N Staffs

29/8/1916 Regret to report that 20561 Pte J Russell 1 N Staffs suffering with shrapnell wounds in spine & paralysis & is seriously ill.

N-O-K have been ntified. Bayer, Taplow.

21/12/1916 Pyelitis folowing 2 wounds back still seriously ill

17/2/1917 Pyelitis & dangerously ill.

19/2/1917 8.30 pm Report of death Shell Wound, Lumbar Spine Pyonephrosis.

Death Cert says he died from Gangrene resulting from G S Wounds as canadian Red Cross Hospital Taplow, Bucks.

James Russell is buried in Fenton Cemetery, Staffordshire he enlisted in Fenton 14/2/1916 aged 23 years 10 months.

Jane

[Guest G. Forbes]

Hi, my grandfather (AW Shirley) served in October 1917 with the 16 Royal Warwickshire regiment and was treated for 'PVO' several times before being sent to England with 'trench fever'. You determined that PVO was PUO and my case would seem to support this connection to a fever. I was wondering if you had more information on PUO and that it is Pyrexia, as we think it might be. Thanks, Graham

Hello,

Thanks for the link, however I now think it must be PUO, which is Pyrexia of Unknown Origin.

Was is common for SA Nurses to be attached to Heavy Artillery? Does anyone know of any good websites relating to the SA Medical Branch and there uniforms?

Thanks,

Stewart