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339
MEDICAL ARRANGEMEN'I'S FOR A DIVISIONAL
CONCENTRATION IN PEACE TIME.
By
COLONEL
W. R. P. GOODWIN, D.S.O., K.H.P.
IN 1930 the 4th Division concentrated in Suffolk for the purpose of
carrying out Inter-Brigade and Divisional Exercises in the field. The peace
stations of the 4th Division being Colchester, Shorncliffe, Dover, 'and
\Voolwich, and the concentration area being in Suffolk, special medical
arrangements were necessary, and the following is an outline of the medical
arrangements made.
The area occupied measured approximately. eighteen mires by. twelve
miles. The sketch plan below shows the distances and the principal road
and rail communications.
N
r
Scale
J''= 7'miles
Four large standing camps were established, namely. at Framlingham,
. Saxmundham, Wangford and Hoxne, with Divisional Headquarters at
Framlingham. To visit these four camps by road from Divisional Headquarters entailed a round trip of approximately sixty miles.
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Medical Arrangements for a Divisional Ooncentration
The strength of troops at these camps was as follows: Framlingham,
899 all ranks; . Saxmundham, 2,895 all ranks; Wangford, 2,789 all ranks;
Hoxne, 2,683 all ranks.
The period of the concentration was from August 25 to September 19.
Certain troops were, however, encamped in the area befo.re and after these
dates.
Three Field Companies, Royal Engineers, moved to the area on July 15
for the purpose of preparing camps, water supplies, etc., and were camped
at S!txmundham, Wangford, and Hoxne respectively.
Advance parties of all units moved to the area on August 18.
Rear parties of all units remained in the area until September 25.
For convenience of description the medical arrangements may be grouped
under the following headings :1. Arrangements for troops marching to and from the concentration area.
H. Arrangements for troops while in the concentration area.
Ill. Organization of the Divisional Field Ambulance.
IV. Collection and disposal of sick.
V. Medical statistics.
VI. Water supplies, sanitation, and conservancy.
VII. Supply of the required Royal Army Medical Corps personnel.
The 10th Infantry Brigade from Shorncliffe, the 12th Infantry Brigade
from Dover, and the remaining troops of the 4th Division, other than those
detailed under 1. below, moved to and from the concentration area by train,
and for these moves no special medical arrangements were made.
I.-l\-IEDICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR TROOPS MARCHING TO AND FROM
THE CONCENTRATION AREA.
The following troops moved by route march :Cavalry. One regiment and an additional Squadron from Colchester.
Royal Artillery. One Field Brigade from Colchester, one Medium
Brigade from Shoeburyness, Olle Light Brigade from Norwich.
Infantry. One Brigade (four Battalions) from Colchester.
For these marches the following medical arrangements were made :Cavalry. One medical officer and two privates, R.A.M.C. (nursing
. orderlies), accompanied, with one motor ambulance.
.
Field Brigade; R:A. One medical officer, one N .C.O. (dispenser), and
two privates (nursing orderlies), accompanied, with one motor ambulance.
, Medium Brigade, R.A. One medical officer and one private, R.A.M.C.
(nursiugorderIy), accompanied,with one motor ambulance.
Light Brigade, R.A. Two privates, R.A.M.C. (nursing orderlies),
accompanied.
Infantry Brigade. One medical officer, one N.C.O. (dispenser), and·
one private, R.A.M.C. (nursing orderly), accompanied,· with one motor
ambulance.
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341
R. P. Goodwin
All the above R.A.M.C. personnel were, on the completion of the march,
absorbed into the medical establishment of the Standing Camp Reception
Stations, to be described later.
R.A.M.C. personnel were, during the march, attached for rations and
accommodation to the units which they accompanied.
The Cavalry Regiment, each Royal Artillery Brigade, and each Infantry
Battalion, took with it to the concentration area the following medical
equipment : Field medical companion, 1; field surgical haversack, 1; water-bottle,
medical, 1.
As regards evacuation of sick from the ma,rch, except in the case of the
troops marching from Norwich, sick requiring evacuation were sent to the
Military Hospital, Colchester, by road. Those from the Norwich troops
to the Divisional Main Dressing Station at Framlingham.
Arrangements similar to those described above were made for the return
march to peace stations on the conclusion of the concentration.
II. -
MEDICAL
ARRANGEMENTS
FOR
TROOPS
WHILE
IN
THE
CONCENTRATION AREA.
A.
For Advance Tt·oops.
It will be remembered that, before the main body of the division arrived
in the area, three Field Companies, Royal Engineers, and advance parties
of units were already on the ground. For these troops the following
,medical arrangements were made : One medical officer (major) was placed in charge of the three Field
Companies at Saxmundham, Wangford, and Hoxne respectively, with his
headquarters at Saxmundham. This officer had with him at Saxmundham
one N.C.O., R.A.M.C. (dispenser), and one private (nursing orderly), while
there was one private (nursipg orderly) at each of the other two camps.
This personnel was attached for rations and accommodation to the Field
Company at the camp.
The medical officer had with him at Saxmundham one motor ambulance.
By means of this vehicle he collected sick and evacuated to Colchester,
thirty-eight miles away by road, such cases as required hospital treatment.
At each camp a marquee, IT.S. double, was provided as a sick detention
tent, with two circular tents for ' observation and medical inspection.
No patient was allowed to be detained longer than forty-eight hours.
Special arrangements for the evacu~tion of serious and urgent cases are
described later under heading IV.
The R.A.M.C. personnel detailed above were, on the arrival in the area
of the 11th Field Ambulance, absorbed into that unit.
The equipment for these Camp Medical Reception Stations is shown in
Appendix 1.
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342
Medical Arrangements jor a Divisional Ooncentration
B. For Troops during the Actual Concentration Period.
At each of the four large standing camps the following RA.M.C.
establishment was provided :Medical officers, 2; sergeants or corporals (dispensers), 2; privates
(nursing orderlies) 3.
The equipment was as shown in Appendix n.
One motor ambulance was stationed at each camp under the charge of
the senior RA.M.C. officer. These vehicles were borne on the strength
of the 11th Field Ambulance.
Thus, a Camp Medical Reception' Station was formed. Here the daily
sick were brought and dealt with in the ordinary 'way. Patients could be
" detained" in the reception station up to forty-'eight hours; if requiring
admission they were sent to the Divisional Main Dressing Station at
Framlingham. Men detained were rationed by their units.
The senior RA.M.C. officer at each camp was appointed Camp S.M.O.,
and was responsible for the arrangements necessary for the inspection and
disposal of sick and for medical and sanitary supervision.
The R.A.M.C. establishments at each standing camp were attached for
rations and accommodation to units in accordance with instrnctions issued
from Divisional Headquarters .
. One batman for the RA. M.C. Officers at each camp was provided under
divisional arrangements.
IlL-ORGANIZATION OF THE DIVISIONAL FIELD AMBULANCE.
No. 11 Field Ambulance, modified to meet requirements, was formed
for the concentration. This unit was utilized for establishing a Divisional
Main Dressing Station to deal with the sick of the Division, and, in addition,
took part in brigade and divisional exercises. The occasion therefore
afforded an excellent opportunity for carrying out training, both technical
and tactical.
An establishment, as detailed below, was anthorized for the occasion :B.A.M.O.
Medical Officers .,
Quartermaster
Warrant Officers
..
Staff Serjeants and Serjeants
Rank and File •.
Total R.A.M.C. :
Officers
..
Rank and File
9
1
2 (IR.S.M., '1 Q.M.S.)
7
84
10
93
Actnally fourteen medical officers were allotted to the unit, of whom
five attended for part of the period only.
R.A.S.O. (M.T.).
Serjeant..
Rank and File
.,
••
1
8 (for motor ambulances)
Artillery Transport Company.
Drivers ' ..
5 (for
I)
lorries)
B.A.
Drivers for Horse Transport
9 (includes 1 N.C.O.)
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343
W. R. P. Goodwin
The allotment withintbe field ambulance of this personnel was as
follows : Headqlla,t·ters.
3 (includes 1 Lieut.~Colonel)
1
R.A.M.C. :
Medical Officers ..
Quartermaster
Warrant Officers ..
S/Sjts. and Sjts ...
Rank and File
R.A.S.G., M:T.: Serjeant ..
Rank and File
Artiilery Transport
Company: Drivers ••
R.A. :
Drivers ••
2
:3
28
1
8 (for motor ambulances)
3 (for motor lorries)
5 (for horse transport)
Each Oompany' "A." and "B."
Medical Officers "
3
2
S/Sjts. and Sjts. ",
28
Rank and File
Artillery Transport Company
1
RA. :
Drivers ..
2
R.A.M.C. :
T1·ansport.
The transport allotted to the unit was as follows :M.T.
Motor ambulances
.
L
, orrIes ..
8
5 j 3 for Headquarters
l 1 for each Company
} For technics I stores
It should be noted that two motor ambulances over and above war scale
were allotted. This number was decided upon in view of requirements for
the transportation of sick between standing camps and the main dressing
station, and between the main dressing station and the miUtary hospital
at Colchester, the latter a distance of thirty-six miles.
H .T.
'
W a t er car t s
Maltese cart
Officers' Mess cart
Travelling kitchen
Horsed ambulances
3 ( H.Q.
..
Each Coy..
t
IJ. D. Horses .
11
1 f
1
1
1
2
6
1
1
2
4
Equipment.
Medical.-As laid down in A.F.I.1248-4, llIodified to meet actual
requirements.
Ordnance.-As laid down in A.F.G.I098-772, of :May, 1929, lnodified to
meet actual requirements, with the following additions : Tents, marquee, double ..
"
"
hospital, small
Stretchers, ambulance
Wooden trestles
Tables, 6 foot
Forms, 6 foot
..
10
6
100
50
10
20
Stationery.
'rhe necessary Army books and stationery were supplied by the Officer
Commanding, Military Hospital, Colchester.
A typewriting machine was supplied under special authority 'from
the War Office.
'
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344
Medical An'angements jar a D.ivisional 'Concentration
An advang.eparty of the unit, consisting of one medical officer, the
quartermaster, and twenty other ranks proceeded to Framlingham on
August 25. This party pitched the tents and generally prepared the camp.
The move was carried out by road in a motor bus provided under
arrangements made by the O.C., R.A.S.C.
The main body assembled at Framlingham on August 25, the move
being carried out by train, and the Main Dressing Station was opened for
the reception of sick at midday on August 26.
During Inter-Brigade and Divisional Exercises, when the Field Ambulance was carrying out tactical training, a party consisting of two
medical officers, the quartermaster, and sixteen other ranks, was left at
Framlingham to carry on the normal work of the Main Dressing Station.
One officer of the unit was appointed "Unit Damage Officer." This
officer's duties were to obtain and co-ordinate reports of' damages done QY
the unit, and forward them to assistant compensation officers, and further
to assist compensation officers to investigate claims for damage attributed
by landowners to the unit.
It will be noticed that no riding horses were provided. Officers were
authorized to use private cars on official journeys and claim mileage allowance. Each officer using a private car in this way was obliged to keep
a log book showing the journeys done.
Th~ hired horses presented some difficulty, and at times created no little
diversion by displaying a strong objection to the unfamiliar harness and
vehicles. One of them gave vent to his feelings by proceeding to kick the
Maltese cart to pieces, but before he had accom plished this he appeared to
chafige his mind and broke up his harness instead.' This animal was
exchanged. The Royal Artillery drivers did splendid work under considerable difficulties.
IV.-qOLLECTION AND DISPOSAL Ol!' SICK.
As already described, a Medical Reception Station was established at
each of the four large standing camps. Cases requiring evacuation were'
sent to the Divisional Main Dressing Station at Framlingham, each reception station having a motor ambulance attached to it for the purpose.
Sick could be " detained" at the Camp Reception Station' for a period no't
exceeding forty-eight hours.
No patient was allowed to remain in the Main Dressing Station longer
than seventy-two hours.
The further disposal of patients requiring evacuation out of the divisional
area was carried out as follows : (a) Urgent cases, whose removal to Colchester was deemed inadvisable,
were sent to the East Suffolk and Ipswich Hospital, at Ipswich, by motor
ambulance. The distance from Framlinghamto Colchester is thirty-six.
miles; the distance to Ipswich is eighteen miles.
(b) Infectious cases: major cases to the Borough Isolation Hospital
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345
W. R. P. Goodwin
at Ipswich by motor ambulance; minor cases to the Military Hospital at
Colchester.
Special arrangements £01' cases under (a) and (b) were made with the
hospitals at Ipswich before the commencement of the concentratIOn.
(c) Venereal cases were sent to the Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich.
(d) All other cases to the Military Hospital, Colchester, by rail or road,
as circumstances demanded.
.
I
.
Patients admitted to the Main Dressing Station were dieted in the
ordinary way by indenting for hospital supplies and accounting by diet
sheets, etc.
V.-MEDICAL
S'.rATISTICS.
The particulars of every patient admitted to the Main DreElsing Station
were entered in an admIssion and discharge book, which was kept up
similarly to those at a military hospital.
The Officer Commanding the Field Ambulance was instructed to send
to the Officer Commanding, Military Hospital, Colchester, on September 1,
a return showing the particulars of all cases admitted to the Main Dressing
Station up to midnight on August :n ; further, on the closing of the Main
Dressing Station, to send all admission and discharge books to the Military
Hospital, Oolchester.
.
For statistical purposes, all cases admitted to the main dressing station
were shown as admissions to the Military Hospital, Colchester.
In this connection, the Deputy Director of Medical Services, Eastern
Command, issued instructions to the effect that the strength of all units
stationed in the Eastern Command would continue to be shown on the
Army Form A. 31 of the hospital normally receiving their sick. The
Military Hospital, Colchester, was to make the note referred to in
paragraph 263 (a) Regulations for the Medical Services of the Army, against
those units whose sick were admitted to that hospital and which were not
normally on the strength of the East Anglian Area.
VI.-"\VA'.rER
SUPPLY,
SANI'.rATION
AND
CONSERVANCY.
Before the concentration commenced, the ground on which troops were
to be camped and over which they were likely to carry out field operations,
was reconnoitred by officers of the Divisional Headquarters Staff, Royal
Engineers and Royal Army Medical Corps, and the question of water
supplies was thoroughly explored.
The most serious difficulty was the supply of drinking water for the
standing camp at Wangford; for this. camp drinking water bad to be
brought ill water lorries from Southwold, a distance of five miles.
In the case of the other three standing camps, water was piped to
central water, points.
,
As regards water for ablution, conditions varied considerably at the
several camps. One camp was fortunate in being sited close to a stream
of. considerable size which afforded excellent bathing facilities. On the
whole, however, no great difficulties presented themselves.
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346
Medical Arrangejnents for a Divisional Ooncentration
As regards details of the arrangements for drinking water supply,
sanitation and conservancy, a copy of the Divisional Administrative
Instructions on the subject is given III Appendix Ill, and will show the
procedure which was carried out.
VII.-SUPPLY
OF
'.rHE REQUIRED ROYAL
PERSONNEL.
ARMY
MEDICAL CORPS
The total number of personnel required was as follows : Medical officers
Qr.·Ml'.
2
Other ranks
2
Divisional Headqnarters
11th Field Ambulance •.
Camp Duties ••
M
8
1
Totals
24
1
115
1
84
~
20
They were supplied as shown below : Eastern Command 1
Aldershot Command
Northern Command
Southern Command
Western Command
Totals
IS
:.!
1
1
24
2
7
24
1
115
East Anglian Area
5
1
16
Home Counties Area (West)
6
23
Home Counties Area (East)
5
29
London District
2
16
lOf the M Medical Officers shown against the 11th Field Al!Ilbulance, 5 were present for part
of the period only.
APPENDIX I.
I
Equipment for each Medical Reception Station for advance troops :(i) Medical-
Medical Companion
1
Surgical Haversack
1
Regimental Medical Pannier
I'
Camp Medicine Boxes
Pair
11
Medical Comforts Pannier • •
1I
Thomas' Knee Splint Outfit
1
Water Bottles, Medical
2
1 These items at the Medical Officer's Headquarters only.
The above equipment was supplied by the Officer Commanding' the Military Hospital at
Colchester, and was despatched in time to reach the camps on July 18.
(ii) OrdnanceTents, Marquee, G.S., complete
1
Tents, Circular single, complete
2
Stretchers, ambulance
2
1
Table -·6·foot
Form-6.foot
1
St<ilols, camp
2
Bucket, latrine
1
1
Screen, latrine
IJamps, hurricane
2
Pan, bed, enamelled
1
Urinal, glass, blue .•
1
Blankets, G.S.
6
Bar, suspension, stretcher
1
:.!
Towels, ha.nd
Warmers, stomach. .
1
Basins,washing, steel
1
Box, dressing
1
The above Ordna.nce equipment was drawn hy the Officer Commanding the Field Oomp~ny
concerned.
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W. R. P. Goodwin
347
(iii) Army Books and StationeryAdmission and Discharge Book
.1
Prescription Book
1
Memo. forms
Pad
1
Envelopes, smail
100
Foolscap
Sheets 100
Pens, pencils and blotting paper.
This was supplied by the Officer Commanding, Military Hospital, Colchester.
(iv) R.A.S.C. Stores-,Paraffin oil
•• Gallons
2
All the above equipment was handed over to the Officer Commanding 11th Field Ambulance,
on the arrival of that unit at Framlingham.
APPENDIX H.
Equipment for each Medica.l Reception Station at stan,ding camps :(i) Medical-
.
Medical Companion
1
Surgical Haversack..
1
Regimental Medical Pannier
..
1
Camp Medicine Boxes
Pair
1
Field Fracture Box
1
Medical Uomfort Pannier
1
Thomas' Knee splint
1
..
Arm
..
1
Water Bottles, Medical
2
Case water test, sterilization
1
This equipment was supplied by the Officer Commanding, Military H03pital, Celchester.
(ii) Ordnance,
Tents, Marquee, G.S. Double, complete
2
One for Medical Inspection.
One for Sick Detention.
Tents, Circular, single
4
Two for sick observation.
One for medical officer.
One for medical other ranks.
Axes, felling
1
Forms, dining tent
2
1
Kettles, camp
2
Buckets, latrine
Scoops. latrine
2
Screens, latrine
1
Sheets, ground
5
Panniers, G.S. (empty)
2
Shovels, G.S.
1
Sto91s, camp
2
Tables, camp
1
Tables, trestle, complete
2
Blankets, G.S.
12
Bars, suspension stretcher, ..
2
Stretchers, ambulance
4
Towels, hand
6
Warmers, stomach ..
2
Cloths, tea
4
Basins, washing, steel, 14-inch
2
1
Brooms, bass, complete
Box, dressing
1
1
Can, oil, 5~ pints . '.
1
Kettle, enamelled .•
Lamps, hurricane ..
4
Bed pan, enamelled
1
Tea pot
1
Pannikins •.
4
Saucepans, F.A. Nest
1
Stove, oil, Primus ••
1
2
Urinal, glass
Soap, yellow, bars ..
3
Latrine paper. Ream
1
This equipment was supplied and accounted for by the Officer Commanding, Military
Hospital, Oolchester.
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348
Medical Arrangements for a Divisional Concentration
(Hi) Army Books and Stationery-
,
Admission and Discharge Book
Prescription Book ••
Sick Reports
Memo. forms
••
Envelopes, .varlous sizes
Foolscap •.
A.F.G. 1033.
A.F.G. 973 (equipment ledger)
Pencils, pens and blotting paper.
..
1
1
500
Pads
2
300
.. Packet
1
(iv) B.A.S.C. StoresParaffin oil
drum
Bleaching powder
lb.
Clarifying powder ..
lb.
Disinfectant, creosote
galls.
Supplied by the Officer Commanding, Military Hospital, Colchester.
1
1
1
1
2
APPENDIX Ill.
Water Supplies, Sanitation and Conservancy.
Attention is drawn to Field Service Regulations, vol. i, 1923, section 178
(F.S. Pocket Book, pp. 2013-206).
(i) Pe1'sonnel.-(a) Each Infantry Brigade and 2nd Medium Brigade,
R.A., will detail one N.C.O., who has, if possible, passed a course of
instruction at the Army School of Hygiene as Sanitary N.C.O. These
N.C.O.s will be under the orders of the S.M.O. Camp. They will proceed
to camp with the advance parties and will remain until dispersal has been
completed.
(b) Regimental. In accordance with war establishments.
(ii) Wate1'.-(F .S. Pocket Book, pp. 31·33).
(a) Drinking water (except where supplied from municipal pipes).
In standing camps. Will be chlorinated at the central water point by
regimental water duty men, who will be placed at the disposal of the
S.M.O. Camp for this purpose.
Away from standing camps. Will b,e chlorinated ·in regimental water
carts if not drawn from chlorinated camp supply. This will be carried out
by regimental water duty men, under the supervision of the Officer in
Medical Charge of Troops.
Officers Commanding Brigades or independent units will ascertain from
the Compensation Staff whether water in bivouacs is or is not from
municipal piped supply.
(b) Before leaving their permanent stations, all units with carts, water
tank, will ensure that these are clean and in good working order.
(c) Water bottles will be thorougbly cleansed with s.trong bleach solution
once a week.
(iii) Kitchens.-Refuse will be incinerated. Sullage water will be
disposed of by absorption pits with grease traps.
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R. P. Goodwin
349
(iv) Ablution Places.- Waste water will be passed through grease
traps into absorption pits.
(v) Conservancy.-(a) Latrines, Standing Camps, bucket latrines (F.S.
Pocket Book, p. 205). Place three inches of one per cent. cresol solution
in each bucket.
.
Bivouac areas. Shallow trench latrines. 'l'bese will be completely
covered with the excavated earth and marked with the letter "L" in
stones before the unit leaves the bivouac.
N .B.-Cresol disinfectant solution (one per cent) is obtained by mixing
1~ ounces of cresol with one gallon of water.
(b) Urinals. By day, absorption pits in conservancy area. By night,
receptacles (buckets or cresol drums, etc.), near the lines, emptied into
absorption pits each morning.
(c) Camp refuse. Disposed' of by incineration.
(d) Manure. Will be removed daily and close packed (F.S. Pocket
Book, p. 204) while awaiting incineration or removal by contract.
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Medical Arrangements
for a Divisional
Concentration in Peace
Time
W. R. P. Goodwin
J R Army Med Corps 1931 56: 339-349
doi: 10.1136/jramc-56-05-02
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