The finest CCS in the British Army
Mobilization of No. 1 Clearing Hospital began, Liverpool, Nova Scotia, 13 August 1914. Captain George Wilbert MacKeen and Captain C Harold Dickson joined unit. Captain & QM Wm Alfred Pickup, Captain Gilbert Bamfylde Peat and Major Wm T M MacKinnon joined unit. LtCol Frederick Samuel Lampson Ford left Liverpool with 40 NCOs and men, 20 August 1914. Took over No. 2 Camp Hospital from Major R P Campbell at Valcartier on 27 August 1914.
Demographics
The Nominal Roll of No. 1 Clearing hospital revealed a predominantly Canadian-born unit.
- 54 Canada
- 17 England
- 4 Scotland
- 2 Ireland
- 1 India
- 1 Newfoundland
- 1 U.S.A.
Not included, Nursing Sisters who arrived at the unit once stationed in France.
Captain G Ogilvie Wm Dowsley, and Captain E C Cole ToS 7 September 1914. Captain G W McKeen trasferred to ASC. ToS Captain Ronald Hugh MacDonald and Captain John Murdoch Stewart, CAMC. Embarked SS MEGANTIC at Quebec on 25 September 1914 with 15th Battalion (LtCol Currie), DAC (LtCol Penhale) and No. 5 CFA (LtCol Ross). Arrived Devonport on 14 October 1914, several men ill from Ptomaine poison. Arrived West Down North, less 17 sick men, 18 October 1914.
Chaplains
The chaplains of No.1 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station maintained a separate register for some of the servicemen who died at No. 1 CCS, which provides a unique account of the passing of these 879 soldiers. Only the war diaries of No. 3 CCS excel in this regard. The chaplains who signed most of the records were James Patrick Fallon (Roman Catholic), Walter Francis O’Neill Fisher (Church of England), Andrew Dunn Reid (Presbyterian), John Knox Tibbits (Church of England), Geoffrey Cyril d’Easum (Church of England), Robert Kerr Lambert (Methodist), and Ralph Lionel Brydges (Church of England).
twenty-four names of men who received their First Communion from him in
West Sandling Camp, England, and an equal number of o thers who were
baptized by h i m. Bishop Fallon of London, Ont., confirmed several soldiers
when he made a visit to the troops in 1918
The original journal is held at Library and Archives Canada as the Record of Deaths, 17 February 1916–10 February 1919, a record maintained at No. 1 CCCS, (Record Group 9, series IIIC10, volume 4556).
Salisbury Plain
Hon Captain and Chaplain H A Frost attached for duty, 11 November 1914. Captain H A Chute attached as Pay Master. Staff Sgt F Burnett & Ainslie Burton Tytheridge at Military College, Devonport. Staff Sgt A C Morris & Lance Sgt A Tefry at Netley. Sgt J Feindel & R Brown at Alexandria Hospital, Cosham.
Cliveden
The unit employed for six weeks at Cliveden, preparing a hospital on the grounds of Mr Waldorf Astor. When the unit left, the hospital known as Duchess of Connaught Canadian Red Cross Hospital. Left Clivden 1 February 1915.
1915
No. 1 CCS arrived at Le Havre on 3 February 1915. NS V A Tremaine, Francis Maitland Frew, Winifred Howard, Minnie Asenath Follette & Marie Ursule Riverin followed, and arrived at Boulogne on 26 February 1915.
On 7 May 1915, RMS Lusitania sunk by U-20 off the south coast of Ireland. A total of 1,199 lost their lives out of the 1,960 passengers and crew.
Nurses
Vivian Adlard Tremaine
Vivien Tremaine born in Montmorency Quebec in 1880, and she graduated from the School of Nursing at the Montreal General Hospital in 1907. Appointed a nursing sister in 1914, she served in England, France, and Quebec with the Canadian Army Nursing Corps before leaving the service in 1920.
Art by Kathleen Shackleton, 1931.
Vivien Tremaine was called upon to nurse King George in 1915 when he was injured during a fall from his horse. 01-11-15 Attached to Nursing Staff of his Majesty.
The King
In October 1915 Surgeon-General W. G. Macpherson, D.D.G.M.S., appeared at the Clearing Station and selected Sister Tremaine, for immediate personal attendance upon His Majesty. In the course of a detailed inspection of the Imperial troops along the Flanders Front, His Majesty, King George V, conducting a review of the battalions and other units of one of the armies in the neighborhood of Bethune, when, his horse slipping upon the soil rendered greasy by autumnal rains, fell, and, falling, rolled over heavily upon His Majesty.
He was without delay conveyed by motor to a château a little distance out of Aire, where His Majesty had already been staying during his tour, there being no adequate accommodation in the region where he had been injured.
Sister E K Ward
At the château the King given all the care that the foremost members of the profession overseas, medical and surgical, could afford, with the result that in four days His Majesty was so far recovered as to be able to stand the journey to London. Tremaine and Sister E. K. Ward in attendance upon His Majesty through the journey and remained in nursing charge of the Royal patient at Buckingham Palace until his convalescence was so far advanced that their services were no longer necessary.
Of those quiet days of His Majesty’s recovery, this may without indiscretion be said: that Sister Tremaine’s most vivid memories are those of the simple happy life of Their Majesties and their children. She found herself in a pleasant English home. On the day upon which Sister Tremaine relinquished her charge, His Majesty personally presented her with the M.V.O. Badge, together with a further personal gift of an exquisite brooch in gold and enamel, set with diamonds, while Her Majesty the Queen gave her autographed copies of the Royal photographs. In the New Year’s Honours List in 1916 Sister Tremaine received the Royal Red Cross. She later received the Royal Victorian Medal from the King during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Francis Maitland Frew
NS V A Tremaine Frew’s witness when she attested with the 1st Contingent. A 32 year-old widow, she had served with the Quebec Military Hospital. NS Francis Maitland Frew reposted to No. 1 Canadian General Hospital on 30 March 1916. The OC, Major John Hunt. John a Dr/ Maj (physician and surgeon). He was an ear, eye and throat specialist.
NS Frew boarded at Shorncliffe on 20 September 1916, Major McKenzie determined she suffered from symptoms of a threatened miscarriage. She returned to perfect physical condition, and her discharge from the Service recommended. NS Frew relinquished her commission on 30 September 1916 and discharged in Ottawa on 5 October 1916.
Frew subsequently married Major John Garnet Wolsley Hunt. Granted leave to Canada in February 1917 (likely for the birth of his child). He served in France, England and later with the Anglo-Russian Red Cross Hospital in Petrograd.
Winnifred Howard
Winnifred Howard born in Lethbridge, Alberta on 31 March 1893. She had already served 15 months at MD No. 11.
Minnie Asenath Follette
NS Minnie Asenath Follette treated for nervous exhaustion in 1917. She was later assigned to the “lighter” task of staffing hospital ships, transporting wounded soldiers back home to Canada.
Marie Ursule Riverin
Riverin a 28 year-old trained nurse from Quebec City. NS Marie Ursule Riverin transferred to No. 4 Stationary Hospital on 1 April 1916.
Aire – Fort-Gassion
The old fort used as a Military Prison of late years, and at this time occupied by a Motor Ambulance of Convoy (No. 8) and a motor transport unit. The latter ordered to leave the place, and the work of cleaning the place began. It was in a most filthy conidtion, and required a great deal of work before patients could be received.
Creator
Beeton, Geneste
OC proceeded to Aire, followed by unit on 5 March 1915. Within two days of its arrival, this station was in action, receiving 550 casualties from Neuve-Chapelle. On March 10, casualties were being admitted, 50, 150, and 350 on three successive days.
Major Stacey ToS on 14 March. In April, inspected by General Alderson, Surgeon-General O’Donnell, Sir Dougls Haig and Surgeon-General MacPherson, Surgeon-General Jones. Visits from LtCol A Shellnyth, Sir W Leishman and Mr Griffiths of the High Commission Office in London.
Second Battle of Ypres
The medical arrangements were under the direction of Colonel G. L. Foster, awarded a C.B., and his deputy, Major Hugh A. Chisholm received a D.S.O. It was during this action that Captain F. A. C. Scrimger earned a V.C.
Three officers and 1 NS with 10 men attached for duty from No. 10 Casualty Clearing Station, 25 April 1915. Captain George Wilbert MacKeen evacuated to England on 22 May 1915. MacKeen would struggle with bronchitis over the next two years.
Mae Belle Sampson
Visits from Matron-in-Chief M Macdonald and Colonel Foster, 6 May 1915. Visited by Sir Max Aitken and Duyke of Marlborough on 15 May 1915. NS Mae Belle Sampson (with NS Follette, another Llandovery Castle victim) and NS Janet MacDonald reported for duty on 10 June 1915.
Sister Mowbray reports for duty on 6 July 1915. The first 25 days of September a period of inactivity. The last 5 days the station full of wounded from fighting around Loos. The station visited by the King on 24 October 1915.
NS V A Tremaine On Command His Majesty’s Medical Staff from 1 November 1915. Tremaine would not return to No. 1 CCS.
1916
Bailleul occupied on 14 October 1914 by the 19th Brigade and the 4th Division. It became an important railhead, air depot and hospital centre, with the 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 11th, 53rd, 1st Canadian and 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Stations quartered in it for considerable periods.
Bailleul
Took over No. 2 CCCS at the Asylum in Bailleul on 19 January 1916. In a seminary about a mile from the railway station. Zeppelin reported over the town on the night of 20 February 1916. 20 people killed and 1 wounded.
General Jacob, GOC 2nd Corps, brought into No. 1 CCS wounded on 4 March 1916. The General returned to visit the hospital later on 9 June 1916.
On 7 March 1916, NS V A Tremaine (On Command His Majesty’s Medical Staff) reported for duty as Matron at Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire Officers’ Hospital (IODEOH), London.
July 1916
1-7-16 6pm
Fine & hot. Patients admitted 189, duty 16, died 2, other hospitals 11, Base 5, Remaining 198.
2-7-16 6pm
Fine. Intense artillery along the front. Patients admitted 43, duty 7, died 3, other hospitals 11, Base 176, Remaining 4 4.
3-7-16 6pm
Fine. Patients admitted 8, duty 9, died 1, other hospitals 4, Base 4, Remaining 84.
4-7-16 6pm
Hot with electric storrm in pm. Captain W McLean proceeded on leave. Patients admitted 10, Duty 5, died 2, other hospitals 5, Base 5, Remaining 27.
5-7-16 6pm
Showery. Patients admitted 138, Duty 10, other hospitals 4, Remaining 171.
6-7-16 6pm
Drizzling. Patients admitted 89, Duty 10, died 2, other hospitals 10, Base 192, Remaining 46.
7-7-16 6pm
Dull. Captai W H Thornton CF from 8 Can Inf Bde. Major J J O’Gorman CF to 3rd Inf Bde. Patients admitted 14, Duty 9, other hospitals 11, Base 7, Remaining 38.
8-7-16 6pm
Fine. Great aerial activity. Patients admitted 220, Duty 8, died 5, other hospitals 8, Base 2, Remaining 230.
9-7-16 6pm
Fine. Artillery active and a great deal of aerial acitvity. Aeroplane landing after dark struck an iron railing and smashed up. Pilot made mircaulous escape. Patients admitted 102, Duty 5, other hospitals 11, Base 269, Remaining 47.
10-7-16 6pm
On 10 July 1916, NS J Wilson and Mary Sophia Fulton joined the unit from Boulogne. NS Margaret Marjory Fraser and Alexina Dussault temporarily attached for duty from No. 2 CCS on the 21st. To London for duty NS Edith Tilley Hegan.
Fine. Patients admitted 12, Duty 8, died 4, other hospitals 5, Base 4, Remaining 38.
11-7-16 6pm
Fine. NS Lucy Gertrude Squire to London for duty. Patients admitted 25, Duty 12, other hospitals 6, Base 11, Remaining 34.
12-7-16 6pm
Dull. Col Galloway, consulting physician visited. Returned from leave Captain W L McLean. Patients admitted 155, Duty 12, died 2, other hospitals 5, Base 11, Remaining 159.
13-7-16 6pm
Dull. Visited by General Jones, DMS, Canadian Contingents, Col Foster, DDMS Can Corps, Col Rigby, consulting surgeon. Patients admitted 34, Duty 6, died 1, other hospitals 8, Base 155, Remaining 23.
14-7-16 6pm
Fine. Patients admitted 14, Duty 9, died 1, Base 5, Remaining 22.
15-7-16 6pm
Fine. Patients admitted 144, Duty 8, other hospitals 6, Base 6, Remaining 146.
16-7-16 6pm
Fine. Visited by Col Ford, DADMS Can Corps. Patients admitted 33, Duty 5, died 4, other hospitals 6, Base 155, Remaining 29.
17-7-16 6pm
Fair. Picthed several tents in anticipation of larger accommodation, Col Chppping DADMS visited. Patients admitted 9, Duty 5, died 3, other hospitals 4, Base 5, Remaining 21.
18-7-16 6pm
Fine. Pitched mor etents. Accommodation now over 900. Patients admitted 11, Duty 12, died 3, other hospitals 5, Base 5, Remaining 12.
19-7-16 6pm
Fine. Action to south of Armentieres, expect heavy casualties. Patients admitted 355, Duty 9, died 3, other hospitals 7, and Remaining 348.
20-7-16 6pm
Fine. Station nearly full of wounded this morning, recieved over 800 cases in 24 hours. 31 immature youths attached for duty from various units. Patients admitted 446, died 9, other hospitals 8, Base 735, Remaining 42.
21-7-16 6pm
Fine. NS M M Fraser and NS Alexina Dussault attached for duty temporarily from No. 2 CCS. From No. 3 CGH Captain E W Connolly. Patients admitted 284, Duty 3, died 9, Base 30, Remaining 284.
22-7-16 6pm
Fine. Inspected by DMS 2nd Army, Captain E R Selby posted to 3rd Cdn Div. Col Rigby visited. Patients admitted 40, Duty 6, died 9, Base 266, Remaining 43.
23-7-16 6pm
Fine. Patients admitted 20, Duty 14, other hospitals 3, Base 6, Remaining 40.
24-7-16 6pm
Fine. Captain R F Flegg ToS from 2nd Cdn Div. Patients admitted 17, Duty 9, died 1, other hospitals 6, Base 3, Remaining 38.
25-7-16 6pm
Fine. Dr Antoine Depage and Dr Vanderwelde of the Belgian Medical Service visited accompanied by Captain Stirling of the DMS Second Army Staff and Col Rigby visited patients. Patients admitted 32, 15 Duty, 2 died, other hospitals 3, Base 11, Remaining 29.
Dr. Antoine Depage (Watermael-Boitsfort, 28 November 1862 – The Hague, 10 June 1925), the Belgian royal surgeon, the founder and president of the Belgian Red Cross, and one of the founders of Scouting in Belgium. Depage married Marie Picard in 1893 and they had three children. His wife Marie had died on 7 May 1915 in the sinking of RMS Lusitania when torpedoed by German submarine SM U-20, killing nearly 1,200 passengers and crew.
26-7-16 6pm
Fine. General Tuxford, Can Corps, visited. Patients admitted , Duty, died, other hospitals, Base, Remaining .
27-7-16 6pm
Fine. Matron-in-Chief McCarthy, RAMC visited. Patients admitted , Duty, died, other hospitals, Base, Remaining .
28-7-16 6pm
Fine. Patients admitted 19, Duty 12, other hospitals 1, Base 8, Remaining 31.
29-7-16 6pm
Fine. From No. 3 CSH Captain H E Ridewood. Patients admitted 96, Duty 7, died 1, other hospitals 9, Base 7, Remaining 109.
30-7-16 6pm
Fine. Col Rogby visited. Captain Dowsley transferred to No. 3 CSH. Patients admitted 28, Duty 8, died 1, other hospitals 4, Base 3, Remaining 34.
31-7-16 6pm
Fine. Patients admitted 23, Duty 15, died 2, other hospitals 4, Base 3, Remaining 34.
NS Mary Sophia Fulton SoS to England on 9 October 1916. She continued serving there Until SoS in Vancouver on 21 March 1919.
1917
On 18 February 1917, Matron V A Tremaine On Staff of Assistant Director of Medical Services. On 11 Aril 1917, to Canadian Army Medical Corps Depot, and finally to Canadian Red Cross Special Hospital as Matron on 8 May 1917.
Aubigny-en-Artois
At Aubigny from 5 March 1917. Misinformed sources have it at Aubigny-sur-Nère, south of Paris. Personnel billited at No. 30 CCS. NS Anne Allen and NS M I Dickinson rejoin unit from No. 12 CSH, 26 March 1917. NS Margaret Christine McLeod and NS V C Corrigan rejoin unit from No. 12 CSH, 30 March 1917, along with NS C M Watling, NS L F McLeod, NS E D Handcock ToS No. 3 CGH.
On 9 April 1917, 272 admitted, 76 discharged, with 221 remaining in the hospital. The following day, 1,039 admitted, 549 discharged, with 711 remaining.
Col Almond, the principal Chaplain visited on 26 April 1917. 151 admitted, 143 discharged with 85 remaining. By 31 May 1917, no patients remain in the hospital, and No. 1 CCS prepares to move to Adinkerke.
Adinkerke
At Adinkerke (near Dunkirk) from 17 June 1917. “Mustard gas” was first encountered on July 12, 1917, between Ypres and the sea. At this time No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station was in the area at Oost Houck, one mile east of Adinkerke. The officer commanding was Lieut.-Colonel C. H. Dickson, and the first casualties from this gas came under his notice. He assigned for the investigation Captain C. S. McKee, who had done similar work in Sheffield. This research lasted for a week, and daily reports were sent to general headquarters where they were handed to Major C. C. Douglas, the adviser on the subject. The enquiry was helped by officers who brought in fragments of gas shells; one of them was badly blistered by carrying a piece of shell under his arm, although it was closely wrapped in paper.
On the tenth day of this research Colonel A. E. Ross was visiting the hospital; he informed himself of the procedure, and promptly made preparations against the use of mustard gas on the Canadian Corps. Such an attack was made in front of Loos late in the month. He had taken the precaution to send forward to the advanced dressing stations and aid posts bath-tubs, alkalies, and sleeping suits. Some 700 men were affected, but by the prompt use of warm alkaline baths and fresh garments only 25 of these showed any ill effects on the following day.
On 24 September 1917, Matron V A Tremaine (Canadian Red Cross Special Hospital, Buxton), returned to the IODEOH in London.
Zuydcoote
Only a month spent at Zuydcoote from 23 October 1917.
Major Walter Leonard MacLean
Funeral at ZUYDCOOTE MILITARY CEMETERY for the late Major Walter Leonard MacLean, CAMC on 11 November 1917 attended by Francis Scrimger VC. MacLean seriously wounded two days prevously during an air raid in the French wing of the hospital. Son of the Rev. John Maclean, M.A., Ph.D., D.D., and Mrs. Sarah Maclean of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Husband of Lillie Alberta (nee Boak) Maclean, of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Ruitz
Ruitz from 23 November 1917. Captain George Wilbert MacKeen sailed from Liverpool (Services no longer required) on 7 December 1917.
1918
Early in 1918, LtCol C H Dickson Mentioned in Dispacthes of the Field Marshal C-in-C of Nov 7th and awarded the DSO. A/Matron Janet MacDonald ARRC awared RRC 1st Class, NS SJ Robley awarded RRC 2nd Class and NS L MacLeod Mentioned in Despatches.
According to the Granville Canadian Special Hospital War Diaries, Matron V. A. Tremaine reported for duty on January 7th, 1918 at Buxton. Matron Tremaine served here until 28 March 1919.
The station busy throughout February and well into March 1918. Stopped receiving at 4pm on 27 March 1918.
Pernes
Pernes from 8 April 1918. Started receiving at 6pm on 13 April after having been out of action for 16 days due to two moves. Before the end of the month, the unit establishes it’s final site (of their choosing). Total admissions in the month, 2,120 with 46 deaths, 303 remaining.
During May 1918, 3,919 total admissions, and 115 deaths. Another 4,040 admitted in June. Left Pernes on 31 July 1918. Nurses to No. 12 CSH for a month.
Arneke
Arrive Esquelbecque Station about 1 AM, 1 August 1918.
Boves
Train left St Roch at 1 AM, arrived Boves 9 AM on 15 August 1918. Following the Battle of Amiens, entrained on 31 August 1918.
Agnez-les-Duisans
All canvas up and accommodation more than sufficient, 5 September 1918.
A/Matron S Persis Johnson wrote the October 1918 war diary.
Auberchicourt
Auberchicourt from 1 November 1918, Principal Matron Miss Ridley and Miss McClatchey, Matron No. 3 CGH, visited.
Gosselies
Arrived at Gosselies at 18h00 on 23 November 1918. Left by train on 7 December 1918, bound for Germany.
Germany
The forward movement began November 20, and by December 11 the Canadian Corps headquarters in Bonn. By the 16th, all units at their positions in the area of occupation around the bridgehead. These mobile medical units which have been followed so diligently these four years had now come to the end of their devious way in a strange land at places whose very names were in a new tongue. Their positions can now be recorded for the last time: No. 1, Wahn; No. 2, Urbeek; No. 3, CölnVingst; No. 4, Bonn; No. 5, Putzchen; No. 6, Siegburg; No. 14, Troisdorf. The sanitary sections were in Troisdorf and Cöln-Vingst; the dental laboratory in Bonn; No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station at Euskirchen, and No. 2 at Bonn.
The first NS arrived in Germany on 9 December 1918 at Euskirchen and treated to a hot supper. No. 1 CCS moved to Bonn on 21 December 1918.
1919
On 6 January 1919, a distressing accident occurred due to a collision on the streets of Bonn. Three Sisters – MacKay, Chisholm and Hofstrand thrown from a lorry. NS Hofstrand received a fractured pelvis in addition to cuts and bruises. The Prince of Wales visited and had tea with Officers and Sisters on the 12th.
Many photos captured on 4 February 1919 during Sir Hubert Plumer’s visit to the hospital, stating “Beyond question the 1st Canadian CCS was the best he had seen and certainly had the best kep t place of any in his Army.”
At Etaples, Chaplain J Fallon SoS to UK, 16 February 1919.
Shorncliffe
Returned to Shonrcliffe on 25 February 1919. SS CORONIA on 29 March 1919. Arrived at Halifax on 4 April 1919 after an uneventful trip.
Regimental Sergeant Major (W.O.I) A B Tytheridge killed accidentally on 18 May 1919 and buried at HANWELL (KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA) CEMETERY. Son of Henry Burton Holdup Tytheridge and Frances Amelia Tytheridge. Served in the South African Campaign.
NS Marie Ursule Riverin awarded the Medaille des Epidemies, en Argent, LG No. 31736, dated 16 January 1920.
Epilogue
Vivien Tremaine RRC died 27 January 1948 and buried at Mount Hermon Cemetery, Quebec City.
Winnifred Howard died 8 January 1954.
Janet McGregor MacDonald Beattie died 19 November 1968, aged 76. Buried at Cimetière Mont-Royal. In the Great war, awarded the British War & Victory medals, Royal Red Cross 2nd Class, Royal Red Cross 1st class, 1914-15 Star, War Service Badge class A and Mentioned in Dispatches.
Frances Maitland Blair Frew Hunt died 23 June 1975, aged 95 and buried at Woodland Cemetery, London, Ont.
Research
Military History by Harold A. Skaarup
