The Australian Army Medical Corps in Egypt Part 15

But if either a wireless had been sent to me a day or two beforehand, or if the persons responsible for shipping had informed me in Sydney, there would have been no difficulty whatever. Under the lack of system which would seem to prevail in shipping these stores from Australia it would not be surprising if they were overcarried and lost.

Yours faithfully, (_Signed_) J. MACARTHUR ONSLOW, _Colonel_.

I publish this letter simply to show the difficulties and to indicate the magnitude of the task. I do not think any one is to blame, but rectification is wanted. A huge commercial concern has gradually grown up and now requires firm paid commercial management. The Australian Red Cross has become a gigantic Commercial Inst.i.tution with attendant advantages and disadvantages.

It should be remembered that goods are shipped in Australia from at least six different ports separated by distances of hundreds of miles, that nearly the whole of the work has been amateur, and that it is difficult to inaugurate a proper business system rapidly.

The following are the printed directions referred to by Colonel Onslow:

HEADQUARTERS, CAIRO.

_From_ A.D.M.S., Australian Force, Headquarters, Cairo.

_To_ O.C. Troopship----

1. Will you please instruct a Medical Officer to make a list in duplicate of the surplus medical stores and Red Cross goods, including ambulances, on the ship. He will hand one list to the representative of Australian Intermediate Base (Captain Clayton) and retain the other.

2. Will you please detail a Medical Officer, or if that be impossible another Commissioned Officer, who will see that these goods are put on the train, and travel with them to their point of destination.

3. At the place of destination he will hand them over with an inventory to a representative of A.D.M.S. Australian Force (Lieut.-Colonel Barrett), from whom he will obtain a receipt. He will not, under any circ.u.mstances, hand them over to any one else, or take any verbal receipt.

4. If it be impossible to send the goods by pa.s.senger train they may proceed by goods train, in which case an N.C.O. or orderly must be detailed to travel in the brake van; and deliver the goods to a representative of A.D.M.S. Australian Force (Lieut.-Colonel Barrett) in precisely the same way.

5. You will please detail a fatigue party of sufficient strength for unloading the goods from the transport and placing them on the train, and in addition supply any guard that is necessary to protect them until this work is completed.

6. It is undesirable in any circ.u.mstances to send goods by troop train.

It is much better to send them by goods train.

7. Will you please convey these orders in writing to the Medical Officer or Officer concerned. If any conflicting orders be issued he can then produce this authority.

A.D.M.S. AUSTRALIAN FORCE.

4. _Distribution of Goods._--The distribution of goods was effected on requisition signed by the O.C. of the medical unit requiring them, transport was provided by the Red Cross Society to the railway station (usually by motor lorries) and at public expense on the railways. I soon learnt that in Egypt in time of war there is no certainty of the delivery of the goods to the proper quarter unless some one is sent with them. The railway officials will frequently hand over goods to a military officer without obtaining a receipt. Accordingly one or more orderlies were sent with every train conveying Red Cross goods. They handed the goods to the consignee and brought back the receipt.

In the Australian hospitals the distribution of goods was effected by two methods. Anything wanted from the central store could be obtained by requisition signed by the O.C. of the hospital, and countersigned by myself as Red Cross officer. Very large quant.i.ties of goods were thus transferred from the central store to the quartermaster's department.

They were then issued in the ordinary way by requisition of the sisters or medical officers, and those receiving them were not aware whether they were receiving Red Cross goods or Ordnance goods. The system had the merit of extreme simplicity, and was very speedy in its operation.

It certainly seemed at the time far less important that patients should know where the goods came from than that they should obtain them promptly. Later on the expediency of putting a Red Cross label on everything supplied became obvious and was adopted as a policy.

5. _Scope of Operations._--At first the operations of the Society were confined to Egypt, but soon, in conjunction with the British Red Cross, goods were forwarded to the Dardanelles and elsewhere. The tables show the quant.i.ty of goods sent to transports in the Mediterranean and transports leaving for Australia. No request was ever refused. When dispatching goods to the Dardanelles it was considered better to act, as far as possible, through the British Red Cross Society.

On July 5 I wrote to General Birdwood, Commanding Officer A. and N.Z.

Army Corps, asking him whether I could establish a Red Cross store at Anzac. He replied that it was impossible, but at his suggestion a Red Cross store at Mudros in the island of Lemnos was organised in conjunction with the British Red Cross Society. The Army Medical Corps at Anzac was then advised to requisition on Mudros. The difficulties, however, of landing goods at Mudros were very great--so great that the British Red Cross Society was compelled to buy launches and lighters.

The Australian Red Cross Commissioners are about to supplement the purchase. The tables show the quant.i.ty and character of the goods sent forward in spite of many difficulties. It was often necessary to send an orderly in the hospital ship to Mudros and Anzac to ensure delivery.

6. _Other Activities._--The British Red Cross Australian Branch arranged through the Y.M.C.A. for the free distribution of stationery to the soldiers in hospitals in Egypt. With the a.s.sistance of the Y.M.C.A. and some English ladies in Cairo a number of committees were formed to entertain the sick and wounded in various ways. A cinema was purchased, a small orchestra was engaged to visit the hospitals, bands of ladies agreed to take flowers and the like to the hospitals, and everything was done that could be done to render the tedium of convalescence less objectionable.

Large recreation huts were built at many of the hospitals at the expense of the Australian Branch.

This phase of the work should not be pa.s.sed over without the most handsome acknowledgment to the English ladies in Cairo. These public-spirited ladies, headed by Mrs. Elgood, thoroughly organised what I may call the lighter side of hospital work, and not only by their personal attention, but also by their tactful skill, succeeded in making the conditions of the sick and wounded much more comfortable.

Furthermore although we left Australia knowing that the Y.M.C.A. did good work in camps, yet the practical experience of the Y.M.C.A. work in Egypt has left an indelible impression on our minds. Headed by Mr.

Jessop, their secretary, there was no service in connection with the sick and wounded which they failed to render when provided with the proper means. We felt the utmost confidence in entrusting them with any undertaking, provided that the position was clearly defined and provided that they were not hampered in their activities.

In pa.s.sing it may be said that until June 15 the shortage of nurses and medical officers was considerable. Of lay helpers there were few in Cairo during the summer, and the principle was invariably adopted of using all existing agencies to cover the ground, the necessary support being given by the Red Cross Society. It was on this principle that Mrs.

Elgood acted, it was on this principle that the Y.M.C.A. acted, and it is on this principle that all great organisations can be most successfully conducted. If it had become necessary to create an independent organisation to provide cinemas and bands, to disburse stationery in Egypt and at the Dardanelles, distribute flowers, fruit, games, etc., a very large number of soldiers would have been employed who were much better employed otherwise. Furthermore, they would not have done the work as well as Mrs. Elgood's staff or the Y.M.C.A.

7. _Issue of Purchased Goods._--As the fund grew in volume it was decided to spend some of it in the purchase of articles desired by the men. A vote was taken at No. 1 Auxiliary Convalescent Depot (Luna Park) to ascertain the articles the men most desired--see appendix. Boxes containing a number of articles were issued to every patient on admission. This has involved an expenditure rising to 500 per month. A sample box has already been sent to Australia. In each box the following note was placed:

"The object of the Australian Red Cross Society is to provide comfort and help to the wounded and sick soldiers, such as hospital clothing, invalid comforts, tobacco, toilet necessaries, books, magazines, newspapers, and the like, and also recreation huts for entertainment, etc.

"These comforts are supplied over and above the hospital necessaries which the Commonwealth of Australia furnishes on so liberal a scale.

"The Society hopes that your stay in the hospital will be short and pleasant, and that your convalescence will be rapid so that you can speedily serve your country again. The Society asks you to accept the contents of this box as an indication of Australia's desire to help you."

8. _Convalescent Home at Montazah._--The Montazah palace, which was owned by the late Khedive, was offered to Lady Graham by H.H. the Sultan as a Convalescent Home for soldiers. The British Red Cross Society and the Australian Branch combined and agreed to find 3,500 to equip it.

This beautiful hospital consists of a number of buildings situated on the sh.o.r.e of the Mediterranean, with artificial harbours and provision for bathing, fishing, and boating. It is now in excellent order and is most successful.

While I think it was right to take a share in the erection of this convalescent home, which indeed could not have been obtained as a military hospital, it immediately raised in mind the consideration of the propriety of the Red Cross conducting hospitals in any circ.u.mstances. It is of course the English practice, and the special circ.u.mstances of Great Britain may make it necessary to erect Red Cross hospitals. The Commonwealth of Australia has never prevented the establishment of as many hospitals as may be considered necessary in the field. In my judgment it is better to limit the conduct of military hospitals and convalescent hospitals to official authority, leaving the Red Cross to supplement the work in the way already indicated. Otherwise the Red Cross is simply doing Governmental work. The Red Cross may do the work very well indeed, but the advantage is not obvious.

9. _Motor Transport._--The motor ambulances presented by the Australian Branch have been housed in two garages, one at Heliopolis and the other at Gezira. They were both designed by Surgeon-General Williams and provided from Red Cross Funds. It is not too much to say that the organisation of the motor transport a.s.sisted materially in saving the position. For a long time, with the exception of some New Zealand ambulances, there were no other ambulances in Egypt. At Heliopolis a repairing plant was installed at Red Cross expense in order to reduce the cost of repairs.

There is no doubt that the British Red Cross Australian Branch was at the outset of exceptional service because it possessed on the spot stores, money, and motor transport.

10. _Bureau of Inquiry._--The British Red Cross Society inst.i.tuted a bureau of inquiry in order to obtain supplemental information about the sick and wounded. Inquiries on an elaborate scale are made at the office of the Commonwealth Government, but certain supplementary and private inquiries can be made with profit. The British Red Cross Society was requested to undertake such inquiries and to charge Australian Red Cross for the extra a.s.sistance necessitated.

11. _Hospital Trains._--At an early stage steps were taken to equip hospital trains running from Alexandria to Cairo with everything the officers in charge required.

Furthermore, arrangements were made at Red Cross expense to provide a restaurant car on all trains conveying sick and wounded to Suez. For detailed arrangements see page 166. This arrangement has proved of great benefit. The men obtained free lime juice and water and their rations.

They could purchase in addition comforts at bed-rock prices. The innovation may seem a small one, but it was not effected without considerable trouble owing to shortage of rolling stock.

LIST OF RED CROSS GOODS ISSUED TO UNITS FROM END OF MARCH TO SEPTEMBER 3, 1915

_Prepared by Staff-Sergeant Hudson_

Unit. Articles. Cases. Pkgs.

First Australian General Hospital 76,350 462 39 No. 1 Auxiliary Convalescent Depot 3,377 22 No. 2 Auxiliary Convalescent Depot 11,340 78 7 No. 3 Auxiliary Convalescent Depot 6,393 74 13 Infectious Diseases Hospital, Choubra 6,303 7 Ras el Tin Convalescent Home 19,562 65 8 Al Hayat Convalescent Home 36,050 92 2 No. 2 Australian General Hospital, Ghezira 25,437 75 4 Mena Australian Hospital 2,705 4 2 Venereal Diseases Hospital, Abba.s.sia 7,626 22 2 Hospital ships and transports 46,350 19 Imbros Rest Camp Hospital 650 70 Kasr el Aini 13,372 11 Greek Hospital, Alexandria 1,381 Colonel Bryant, Lemnos 23,236 127 8 sacks 4th Field Ambulance, Dardanelles 8,472 2 1st Stationary Hospital, Lemnos 42,333 107 12 sacks 2nd Stationary Hospital, Lemnos 187 107 13 sacks 7th Field Ambulance, Polygon Camp, Cairo 4 2 2nd Light Horse Field Ambulance, Maadi, Cairo 6,056 2 2nd Light Horse, Lemnos 7,985 2 Captain Dunlop, 18th Battalion 37 Captain Williams, Hqrs. 2nd Austr. Division 30 No. 4 Auxiliary Convalescent Depot 754 Heliopolis Dairy Company for 1st A.G.H. 800 Zeitoun Convalescent Camp 2,250 13 6th Light Horse 560 Dr. Hastings 500 No. 17 General Hospital, Alexandria 3,532 Deaconess Hospital, Alexandria 1,733 6 Egyptian Army Hospital, Abba.s.sia 708 6 2nd Indian General Hospital 6,486 Dr. Oulton, Tanta Hospital 3,899 Mustapha Barracks, Alexandria 4,585 New Zealand Mounted Rifles 736 1 Lancashire Fusiliers 1,116 No. 15 General Hospital, Alexandria 4,199 Military Hospital, Cairo 244 1 School Hospital, Port Said 700 Red Cross Hospital, Saideh School 3,456 2 No. 4 Base, Medical Depot, Alexandria 13,032 Convalescent Hospital, Ismailia 1,904 French Convalescent Hospital, Alexandria 2,294 Ordnance Office Base, Alexandria 9,528 European Hospital, Alexandria 740 4th Field Ambulance 1,250 ------- ----- --- Total 411,974 1,357 110 ======= ===== ===

LIST OF RED CROSS GOODS SUPPLIED FROM STORE APART FROM OTHER GOODS PURCHASED AND SUPPLIED

Ap.r.o.ns (surgical) 260 Blankets 5,875 Cholera belts 7,400 Hot-water bottles 407 Bandages 51 cases " 200 Books 87 pkgs.

Caps 2,010 Caps (surgical) 266 Dressing-gowns 184 Handkerchiefs 46,298 Housewives 776 Cardigan jackets 3,483 Hospital jackets 269 Pneumonia jackets 341 Old linen 90 cases m.u.f.flers 3,662 Masks (surgical) 24 Nightingales 495 Overalls (surgeons') 243 Pillows 2,945 Pillowslips 24,501 Pyjamas 17,300 Pyjama trousers 881 Pipes 1,570 Quilts 43 Sheets 7,240 Draw sheets 4,032 Shirts (flannel) 24,876 Shirts (cotton) 9,913 Hospital shirts 4,725 Socks 70,725 Bed socks 1,018 Toilet soap 2,789 cakes " " 4 cases Slippers 5,878 Towels 43,914 Medical towels 4,183 Undershirts (flannel) 12,333 Underpants (flannel) 5,588 Vaseline 284 Face washers 37,665 Binders 200 Hospital bags 334 Soldiers' kit bags 4,710 Air cushions 17 Tooth brushes 6,885 Tooth paste 1,552 Sea kit bags 717 Hair brushes 1,047 Hair combs 1,081 Ointment 208 Playing cards 723 Pencils 176 Safety pins 380 Rubber sheets 6 Mosquito nets 1,251 Insect powder 314 pkts.

Sponges 2,756 Tobacco 2,379 plugs " 16 cases Cigarettes 3,741 pkts.

" 1 case Biscuits 64 cases Extract of beef 45 "

Soap 1,120 bars " 70 cases Gooseberries 66 "

Glaxo 38 "

Milk 36 "

Beans 20 sacks Peas 13 "

Jam 172 cases Syrup 54 "