Private Albert Hyde 34481 would later serve as a Stretcher-Bearer with No.2 Canadian Field Ambulance. Accidentally wounded in May 1915, GSW head. His eyesight troubling him afterwards. AWOL several times. In September 1917, while still serving with No.1 Canadian General Hospital, sentenced by FGCM to 90 days F.P. No. 1 for AWOL, 28 July to 21 August 1917. Wounded by bombs from German airplane in left thigh, leg, heel, and buttocks during the German Air Raid on Etaples, 19 May 1918. Examined on Armistice Day, Albert displayed signs of PTSD.
Stretcher Bearer Albert Hyde
Stretcher Bearer Albert Hyde 34481 born in Manchester, England. Mother, Mrs Elizabeth Hyde of 182 Duchess St. East, Toronto. Four years prior service with Lancaster Fusiliers, in England. A Teamster, standing 5′ 8″ tall, 142 pounds, fair complexion, brown eyes, and fair hair.
First contingent. Traveled overseas with No.1 Canadian General Hospital. Left Quebec 30 September 1914 aboard SS SCANDINAVIAN. Joined the armada assembling at Gaspe Bay. Arrived in England 13h45, 14 October 1914. Anchored alongside RMS ROYAL EDWARD (sunk by UB-14 13 August 1915). Docked at the Navy Dockyard, Devenport at 13h00 19 October 1914, and disembarked SS SCANDINAVIAN at 19h00.
West Down North
Entrained, Lavington (east of Plymouth) at 21h00. Arrived WEST DOWN NORTH, 05h00 20 October 1914. The hospital opened at once under canvas. Strength: 30 Officers, 168 Other Ranks.
No. 1 Canadian General Hospital War Diary. Immediately, tents are pitched, kitchens erected, latrines provided and water laid on. Major Charles E Doherty and Captain George Graham Corbet proceed to Amesbury for equipment. Lt-Col. Kenneth Cameron and Captain Alexander MacKenzie Forbes return, without Major Edward Albert Lebel (requiring 7-10 days convalescence).
On Saturday, 24 October 1914, Field Marshall Frederick Sleigh Roberts inspects the hospital. Honorary Captain Robert Kirkpatrick conducts Service, Sunday 25 October 1914. Equipment arrives on Monday. Major Edward Albert Lebel returns from sick leave, 29 October. Finally, the hospital operational before the end of the week, with 81 patients on the morning of 31 October 1914.
AWOL
Divine Services cancelled on Sunday 1 November 1914 owing to heavy rain. The O.C. notes the unsuitability of the present site. The hospital stretched to the limit with 109 patients on 2 November 1914. Captain James Carlye Fyshe detailed as Temporary M.O. Divisional Cavalry. Two days later, on 4 November 1914, their Majesties visit the Canadian Contingent. However, Stretcher Bearer Albert Hyde not in attendance. He is late returning from leave. On 6 November 1914, Private Albert Hyde 34481 undergoing detention. Hyde had overstayed his pass.
Bulford Camp
On 10 November 1914, No. 1 Canadian General Hospital opened at Bulford Manor, Salisbury Plain. Bulford Camp established in 1897, the site continues in use as a large British Army base. Here was accommodation for sixty cases, under Lieutenant-Colonel Kenneth Cameron, head of the Surgical Service.
Two weeks after being released from detention, Albert suffers burns to face, 2nd and 3rd degree, 6 December 1914. The accident happens while filling an oil lamp. Albert’s glasses may have saved his eyes. Makes a full recovery and discharges 11 December 1914.
Nethervarton
No. 1 Canadian General Hospital moved 6 miles north, and opened at Nethervarton on 1 January 1915. Albert was afforded another leave, but once again, overstays pass, forfeits 3 days pay, 27 January 1915. The first two weeks of March spent in preparation to travel overseas.
Neglect of Duty
By 13 March 1915, everyone is restless, raring to go. Except perhaps Private Albert Hyde. Neglect of duty, fined three days pay, 25 March 1915.
On 11 May 1915, two days before leaving the Plain for France. No. 1 General Hospital with 23 Nursing Sisters, parades to place flowers upon the graves of the dead Canadian soldiers – thirty-one at Bulford, ten in Netheravon churchyard and one in Durrington churchyard. Then, neat wooden crosses, painted white, inscribed with the name and battalion of each soldier. Placed at the head of each grave, and a plan of the graves sent to the Canadian Record Office in London.
Étaples-sur-Mer
No.1 Canadian General Hospital arrived in France 14 May 1915. At 02h30 their transport ship docked at Boulogne-sur-Mer. Two days later, they headed for their new home – Étaples. Much of the staff arrive the following week.
Albert suffers another accident, more serious than the first. Private Albert Hyde admitted to Royal Field Ambulance, Severe GSW Wound Head, 22 May 1915. This time Albert’s glasses have afforded him no protection, his eyesight has been impaired. Finally, transferred to No.13 Stationary Hospital, 23 May 1915. Convalescent Camp, 26 May 1915.
Admitted to No. 4 Stationary Hospital, St. Omer, defective vision, 24 August 1915, discharges 28 August 1915. Albert may not have his glasses now. Then, upon demobilization, it is noted he had lost and ‘broken’ them, and required a new pair. Admitted to No. 2 General Hospital, Le Havre, Tonsillitis, 3 September 1915, discharges 14 September 1915.
AWOL
For the third time, Private Albert Hyde AWOL, 25 January 1916 to 5 February 1916. On 13 March 1916, sentenced to 14 Days F.P. No. 1 for overstaying leave, 25 January 1916 to 5 February 1916. Finally, for the fourth time, Stretcher Bearer Albert Hyde admits to hospital. No. 1 General Hospital 11 February 1917, Myalgia, discharges 21 February 1917.
Stretcher Bearer Albert Hyde Field General Court Martial
Private Albert Hyde admonished for Absent from Convoy duty, 410 am to 440 am, 30 March 1917. Then, on 21 April 1917, awarded 14 Days C.B. for Drunkenness (14 April 1917). By mid-summer, Albert’s behavior warrants a Field General Court Martial. In confinement awaiting trial, 21 August 1917. Tried and convicted by FGCM absenting himself without leave at No. 1 Canadian General Hospital from 28 July 1917 until 21 August 1917. Sentenced to 90 days F.P. No. 1 for AWOL, 28 July to 21 August 1917.
However, Albert’s attitude has not changed. While serving his sentence, he is awarded an additional 10 Days C.B. for not complying with an order, when ordered to sound a call on the bugle, he failed to do so. Private Albert Hyde’s experience with No.1 General Hospital so far can be described as being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Furthermore, that does not change on the night of 19 May 1918.
No.1 Canadian General Hospital Bombed
A bombing raid on May 19, 1918 killed three Canadian nursing sisters serving at No.1 Canadian General Hospital – Margaret Lowe, Katherine Maud Mary MacDonald and Nursing Sister Gladys Maude Mary Wake – the first Canadian nurses killed in action. Later, two other female victims of bombing raids, YMCA motor driver Betty (Bertha Gavin) Stevenson on 31 May and Nursing Sister Annie Watson Bain at the St John Ambulance Brigade Hospital on 1 June.
No. 1 Canadian General Hospital War Diary
At the close of what had been a peaceful Sunday enemy aircraft came over the camp in large numbers, viz: – at 10.00 pm. The hospital was wrapt in slumber when the planes were immediately overhead. The raid obviously planned to take place in relays, and during the first stage the part that suffered most was the sleeping quarters of the personnel, particularly that of the NCOs and men, A number of bombs, incendiary and high explosive, dropped in the midst of the men’s quarters. Fires immediately started which offered a splendid target for the second part of the attack. The scene immediately converted into a conflagration and charnel house of dead and wounded men.
Bombs also dropped in the Officers’ and Sisters’ quarters, building being wrecked. The S.E. part of the Sisters’ quadrangle completely wrecked by a bomb. The inmates killed and wounded. While the work of rescuing the wounded was going on, the enemy continued to drop bombs. Two of the hospital wards received direct hits and patients killed and wounded. Their portion of the Staff and personnel that had escaped injury immediately attended upon their wards within a very short time, and while the raid was in progress the operating-room Staff were working on the cases injured. The devotion to duty, with absolute disregard to personal safety, exhibited by all ranks, is very highly commendable.
Casualties
The total number of casualties in this hospital were as follows: Captain D E Howes, CAMC, killed; Nursing Sister Katherine Maud Mary MacDonald, CAMC, killed; Other Ranks killed 51. Captain C A Davies wounded, Nursing Sister Gladys Maude Mary Wake, G D Long, M Lowe, I K Garnes-Wishart, E A Gallagher, M C Hirsch, B MacKinnon wounded. Other Ranks wounded 45. Patients killed 8. Patients wounded 31. Total patients admitted 82, discharged 45, remaining 1156.
Private Albert Hyde among the 45 Other Ranks wounded. While performing his duties, he crossed the camp to help move another patient, when struck by multiple shrapnel fragments from behind by a bomb. His wounds severe. Wounded along his left leg from his heel to his buttock. His tibia is fractured, and his heel will require surgery. Finally, Albert must wear a special boot, and will no longer be capable of front-line duty.
AWOL
Admits to No. 14 Canadian General Hospital, 1 June 1918, GSW multiple, discharges to Red Cross Hospital, Bexhill, 3 July 1918. Then, discharges to Hasting Hospital, 20 July 1918, and finally discharges 21 August 1918. Reported sick 15 November 1918. Finally, admitted No. 12 Canadian General Hospital 17 November, Influenza, discharges 29 January 1919.
While a patient, Private Albert Hyde, AWOL for at least the fifth time, forfeits 15 days pay for overstaying his pass.
Demobilization
Private Albert Hyde examined in Toronto, 27 March 1919. Extremely nervous disposition. Greatly excited about personal affairs. The boy is of poor mental type and admittedly defective. In order to determine if he is sane or otherwise, I think it would be advisable to have the civil authorities place him in the reception Hospital for ten days with the idea of establishing his exact mental condition which is probably one of defect rather than disease. In the meanwhile I shall have a social service nurse investigate the mother and the other members of the family, as the father makes some serious allegations against their moral standing. – C.K. Clarke, Consultant in Psychiatry, M.D. No. 2.
After examination, the Medical Director, H. Clare, of Medical Depot No. 2 reports on 2 April 1919. This boy is not insane, but he is in a nervous excitable condition. The boy is of the same mental type as his father who visits him here each day, and the father is a useful citizen.
Stretcher Bearer Albert Hyde died of cerebral vascular hypertension at Sunnybrook Hospital, Toronto on 19 July 1954. Survived by his common-law-wife, Miss A. Collins, 40 Phoebe Street, Toronto. Albert Hyde lies buried in Section K, Grave 1405, Pine Hills Cemetery.
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