Churchill-Smith, James – October 1917
2 Oct
English Lieut. brought in during early morning suffering from either gas or bomb wound; being kept alive with Oxygen – poor Sisters & Orderlies very busy. – Died late at night. Nice day. Feeling well.
3 Oct
Dull day, which makes it pleasanter to be in bed. Feeling A.1.
4 Oct
Dull windy day with rain during early morning. X Ray’d in morning – hope all O.K. Noel called about 1 p.m. – jolly good of him, glad to see him. Brought along my diary. Sorry to hear of poor Harry Seager & Carr. Glad stunt of 26th was successful as far as Battalion & Bgde was concerned. Hope I’ll soon be back with Battalion.
6 Oct
Dull day. Wrote dear Mum, Kate & Dad, also Paul Guillemin. Feeling A.1. 100 odd wounded German prisoners arrived here – rather an excellent protection against air raids. Watches put back 1 hour at midnight.
8 Oct
Wrote Charlie Moule re kit. Fine day but rather cloudy. Up from 2 p.m. to 2.45 p.m. – feeling rather weak but enjoyed being out of bed.
10 Oct
…Stitches (about 12 in all) taken out of head during morning by Sister – scabs scraped off and head cleaned. Everything O.K. Am I lucky ?? 7 pieces of shell in my head, none of which penetrated the skull, and only necessary to take 4 pieces out…
13 Oct
Dull rainy day with occasional sunshine. Changed from “Charles” to “George” Ward owing to more patients coming in. Feeling very well. Up all day & got into clothes.
14 Oct
Nice fine day. More patients came in during early morning – all wards full. Johns (batman) arrived about 6.30 p.m. with my kit. Feeling excellent.
15 Oct
My birthday – the 3rd from home. Went to St Omer in afternoon. Feeling A.1. Received letter from Mattie Adney.
17 Oct
Windy day but sun shing. 250 patients evacuated from Hospital to London in morning. Went to St Omer with Kelly in afternoon…
18 Oct
Nice fine day. My discharge papers put in today – wounds good enough to go down to Base. Wrote dear Dad & Sid, also Bunny McManus, & Madame Malfait. St Omer in afternoon with Kelly. Feeling sorry that I leave hospital tomorrow.
19 Oct
Left No. 7 Gen. Hospital, St Omer, by Car at 11 a.m., & St Omer station by train for Havre Base at about 1.30 pm. Very sorry to be leaving the Hospital as my time there has been very enjoyable, & the attention of the Sisters &c all that one can expect. Good luck to them all…
20 Oct
Arrived Rouen 9.30 a.m. – cold traveling. Harfleur 1.30 p.m. – then marched to Camp. Met Lieuts Mills & Cook, also Lt G. E. G. Gill late A & I Staff.…
21 Oct
Beautiful day. Mills left for Battalion. Went through Gas during morning. Wrote Mattie Adney, Mona & Tom Loutit. Havre in afternoon with Cook – fairly enjoyable time. Bed early.
22 Oct
Nice fine day. Met George Grindell, Pte 48th, now at Base. … Wounds doing A.1. – having them attended to 3 times a day here. Cabled Dad that I am convalescing at Base, also sent a P. C.
23 Oct
….Went before a Medical Board in morning – believe classed “A” – hurrah! Head doing well, only one place now open. Called on Charlie Perry (Capt. Chaplain) in afternoon – had good afternoon’s chat.
25 Oct
Dull day with occasional rain. On court of Enquiry \(Pres)/ re Stavely’s death by tram running over him – Moy & Lewitt members. Feeling A.1.
26 Oct
Dull wet day. Cook (2/Lt) left for Battalion. Found piece of stitch still inside one of my wounds – got it out but felt dizzy for a bit afterwards. In camp all day. Head doing splendidly.
30 Oct
Very wet day – raining nearly all the time. Feeling very well. Orders out for my move to Battn. tomorrow.
31 Oct
Nice day but rain at night. Left 4th Div Camp at 5.30 p.m. with Capt Koch & draft & marched to Havre. Entrained about 11.30 p.m. – left at 12 midnight. Cabled Dad.
Diary of James Churchill-Smith
