88th Field Ambulance RAMC WWI

[armypal]

Hello can anyone help me please?

 

I am trying to find out which regiment  a local man  was attached to who served in the  88th Field Ambulance RAMC.

He enlisted in 1914 and went to France according to his Army pay book ,before going to Alexandria in early 1915. Following the evacuation from the Gallipoli Peninsular he was back serving in France. I have photos of him in  Alexandria  and France.

 

At the time of his enlistment he was living in Diss in Norfolk, which was where various regiments of the 54th Army Brigade were stationed, including The  Pembroke Yeomanry, The North Staffordshire Yeomanry, The Leicestershire Yeomanry, The Warwickshire Yeomanry and The Lovat Scouts.

 

Apart from from the statement on the Paybook saying he is with the 88th Field Ambulance, there are no other clues as to who he was serving with.

 

As I am trying to write up his history  I really would like to know.

 

Many thanks

Armypal

[PRC]

A Field Ambulance, part of the Royal Army Medical Corps, was attached to a Division, although they did tend to be loosely associated with one Brigade within the Division.

 

The 88th Field Ambulance is an interesting one. It was originally the 1st East Anglian Field Ambulance, a pre-war Territorial Force unit which I think was mainly South Suffolk and Essex, but will need to check. Prewar I believe it was associated with the Essex Brigade. Following the declaration of War the Brigade and Field Ambulance moved into the 54th (East Anglian) Division.

 

From the Long, Long Trail.

 

The units of the Division had just departed for annual summer camp when emergency orders recalled them to the home base. All units were mobilised for full time war service on 5 August 1914 and moved to their allotted positions at Brentwood by 10 August 1914. Ten days later the entire Division moved to the areas of Chelmsford, Bury St Edmunds and Norwich.

Several of the Division’s units left in the period November 1914 – February 1915. Some were gradually replaced by second line units. The Division was employed on coastal defence duties at this time.

https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/54th-east-anglian-division/

 

One of the units stripped out to provide support for a Division shortly heading to a war zone was the 1st East Anglian Field Ambulance. In December 1914 it was transferred to the 29th Division.

 

The 29th Division consisted of the 87th, 88th and 89th Brigade, and having gained three TF medical units, the Field Ambulances were renamed 87th (1st West Lancashire) Field Ambulance, 88th (1st East Anglian) Field Ambulance and 89th (1st Highland) Field Ambulance.

 

The LLT picks up the Divisional story.

 

As regular units from the further garrisons of Empire arrived back in England after having received recall orders soon after war was declared, many having waited until a Territorial unit had gone out to replace them, they were formed up into three Divisions, numbered 27th to 29th. The 29th, consisting of units that arrived from the most distant stations, was formed in the Stratford-Warwick-Leamington-Rugby-Nuneaton area of Warwickshire in January-March 1915. Originally intended for France, pressure on Lord Kitchener to launch a ground attack at Gallipoli forced him to deploy the Division there.

 

The 29th Division embarked at Avonmouth on 16-22 March 1915 and went via Malta to Alexandria. On 7 April the first units to have arrived at Egypt began to re-embark for the move to Mudros, the deep water harbour at the island of Lemnos that was going to be used as a forward base for operations at Gallipoli. The Division landed at Cape Helles on Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 and subsequently took part in the following actions:

1915
Gallipoli

1916
On the nights 7-8 January 1916, the Division was evacuated from Gallipoli and all units returned to Egypt. Orders were received there on 25 February for a move to France. Embarking in March it arrived at Marseilles and moved to concentrate in the area east of Pont Remy between 15 and 29 March. The Division remained on the Western Front for the remainder of the war.

The Battle of Albert*
The Battle of the Transloy Ridges*
* the battles marked * are phases of the Battles of the Somme 1916

1917
The First Battle of the Scarpe**
The Second Battle of the Scarpe**
The Third Battle of the Scarpe**
** the battles marked ** are phases of the Arras Offensive 1917

The Battle of Langemarck^
The Battle of Broodseinde^
The Battle of Poelcapelle^
^ the battles marked ^ are phases of the Third Battles of Ypres 1917

The Battle of Cambrai

1918
The Battle of Estaires+
The Battle of Messines 1918+
The Battle of Hazebrouck+ including the defence on Nieppe Forest
The Battle of Bailleul+
+ the battles marked + are phases of the Battles of the Lys

The Action of Outtersteene Ridge-
The capture of Ploegsteert and Hill 63-
– the battles marked – are phases of the Advance in Flanders
The Battle of Ypres 1918++
The Battle of Courtrai++
++ the battles marked ++ are phases of the Final Advance in Flanders

After the Armistice the Division was among those selected to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead. All units crossed the Belgian-German border at Malmedy on 4 December 1918 and arrived in Cologne five days later. The Division crossed the Rhine by the Honhenzollern Bridge on 13 December. Gradually, demobilisation began and by March 1919 most units were down to cadre strength.

https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/29th-division/

 

The War Diaries for the time at Gallipoli should be available on Ancestry. Those for France are both on Ancestry and digitised at the National Archive, from where they can currently be downloaded for free. You just need to register for an account, (no financial details needed), and even that can be done as part of placing your first order.

March 1916 to November 1919: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7353558

Unfortunately unless the Gallipoli ones on Ancestry over-run, the period in Egypt may only be visible by visiting the National Archive.

 

A (brief) Divisional History can be read \ downloaded from here https://collections.mun.ca/digital/collection/cns/id/84284

 

You haven't given a name so can't check. What is the first theatre of war shown on your mans' Medal Index Card and when did he first land, as that will a clue as to whether he followed the pattern set out above, or whether he transferred in at some point. There may may also be some clues to be gained from his service number(s).

 

Hope that gets you started,

Peter

[armypal]

Hello Peter

Many thanks for your very prompt reply to my query. It is fascinating to read about the  assembly and deployment of the 29th Field Ambulance.

However I am slightly confused by the journey that my man took. 

 

I  have been working on a book about the experiences of those living in and around Diss, in Norfolk during WWI and was fortunate enough to come across some personal papers relating to George May who was the son of a local Jeweller and Watchmaker with a business in Diss. Had  I just gone by the list of 'Absent Voters' for Diss in 1918 and not bought the 'May' documents  I would never have known he had been in the R.A.M.C., as he is listed as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers!

 

George Leslie May was born in Fulham, London in 1890.He moved with the family to Diss in 1910 and having served as Territorial he attested with the R.A.M.C. on 5/9/1914, aged 23.There is no place given for this in his Army Pay Book. His Service Number was given as 2041 and the 1st Theatre of War which he served in as France, 31/3/1915.

 

The Paybook opens with an entry for April 4 1915 in Alexandria. The entries changes to B.E.F. on 12 April 1916.

I have checked his Medal Roll Index Card which shows that he was awarded the 1915 Star which ties in with the date he was in France.

By 20/1/1917 his transfer to the Royal Engineers 353th Company had come into effect.

 

I have checked with the movements of the 54th Division, but cannot see that any of the units stationed  in Diss in the early part of the war went to France and then Alexandria, so I am now very confused. I also have a photograph of him in R.A.M.C. uniform from November 5 1918!

Any help would be most appreciated please, as I obviously don't wish to write up his history in my book incorrectly.

 

Thanks

Armypal

[TEW]

It does have some confusing elements for his journey.

 

Landed in France 31/3/1915, but then in Alexandria a month later. If so then arrival in France was not with 29th Division. Transfered to Egypt then posted to 29th Division, 88 FA?

 

There have been other posts that show dates of entry in 1915 for RAMC into Egypt have been cobbled together and are not quite accurate.

 

A 5/11/1918 Photo in RAMC uniform needs an explanation if he had transfered to RE by then.

 

Not seeing any other records for him, casualty lists, hospital admissions etc.

TEW

[armypal]

Thanks TEW

 

I certainly am confused. It seems odd that he was awarded the1915 Star as I thought this was only for service with the B.E.F. So as you say it looks asif he wasn't part of 29th Division. I can't find anymore clues in his Paybook ..if only.

 

I've managed to download the war Diary for the 29th Division  88FA,which is most interesting and the names of the officers signing the Paybook  in July 1916 certainly tie up, which is a bonus.

 

It is difficult to date the photos I have of him in France, apart from the one where he has written November 1918! But then why in R.A.M.C. uniform? There is one taken in Suez in 1916 and two  taken  in France where he is obviously younger.

 

Thanks again.

Armypal

 

 

[TEW]

Well his card suggests he did enter a theatre of war with BEF but 1914-15 Star entitlement is not restricted BEF. Plenty of 1914-15 Stars awarded to RAMC arriving in Egypt.

 

The problems with 1914-15 Star, RAMC & Egypt are in the following post. They may have lost the disembarkation rolls and reconstructed them from other sources which led to such errors as men arriving in a theatre of war before they had enlisted!

 

Can we see the photos?

TEW

 

 

Edited 2 February , 2021 by TEW
Link added

[Pat Atkins]

His 1914-15 Star medal rolls entry is Royal Engineers, though it gives his prior corps as RAMC and the page is annotated "Regiment of Corps when decoration was earned  last served with" - so that explains the anomalous annotations on his MIC. Makes the 1918 photo even more baffling though...

 

 

[TEW]

What are the anomalous annotations  on the MIC? Looks normal to me, on RE rolls for star & pair as that was his last unit.

TEW

[armypal]

4 hours ago, armypal said:

Thanks TEW

 

I certainly am confused. It seems odd that he was awarded the1915 Star as I thought this was only for service with the B.E.F. So as you say it looks asif he wasn't part of 29th Division. I can't find anymore clues in his Paybook ..if only.

 

I've managed to download the war Diary for the 29th Division  88FA,which is most interesting and the names of the officers signing the Paybook  in July 1916 certainly tie up, which is a bonus.

 

It is difficult to date the photos I have of him in France, apart from the one where he has written November 1918! But then why in R.A.M.C. uniform? There is one taken in Suez in 1916 and two  taken  in France where he is obviously younger.

 

Thanks again.

Armypal

 

 

Hi TEW 

Here are some of the photos I have of  George May.

I think that he went to France with the 29th Division and there was an error on the MIC. There was hardly time for him to get from  France to Alexandria in such a short space of time as you say.

Regards

Armypal

 

[TEW]

Good set of photos, is he with a POW in the last one or someone pinched a hat?

Which one is the Nov 1918 photo?

 

He has a wound stripe in the same photo but no entry in the official lists online. This usually means wounded late March-early July 1917 or after April 1918.

 

I see there is an Ephraim May also 1st East Anglian FA who is on a list. No relation I suppose?

 

The more I look I'm not sure I'm seeing the same man!

TEW

[armypal]

Hi TEW

The 1918 photo is the one of George May standing next to the German soldier.

Thanks for your comment on the 'Wound' stripe.

 

I believe that all the photos came from the same collection and there is some writing on the back of the postcard  with the German soldier on it which matches George's  handwriting. 

 

I've spent a lot of this afternoon and evening reading the War diary for the 88th FA and learned a lot about troop movements and the 'Battle of the Somme', from the perspective of the R.A.M.C.

 

A letter written by my late father in law, found and sent to us by a step cousin, describes some of his experiences of the day as a fighting soldier. Intriguingly he says he was too tired to write in much detail but would write a further letter, which we don't have.

He never spoke about the day and it has taken 80 years for my husband to find out!!

 

Regards 

Armypal.

 

[PRC]

2 hours ago, armypal said:

 

 

 

Isn't that an Imperial Service badge over his right breast?

 

General consenus seems to be those weren't worn after going overseas, so possibly pre-war or early months of the war. If they are all the same man, and I'm not sure, that also appears to be the youngest version of him.

 

8 hours ago, armypal said:

George Leslie May was born in Fulham, London in 1890.He moved with the family to Diss in 1910 and having served as Territorial he attested with the R.A.M.C. on 5/9/1914, aged 23

 

Some of the maths doesn't quite join up, probably because of something I'm not aware of. The Territorial Force came into being on the 1st April 1908 and required a four year commitment. Recruits were taken from 17 and a half. So George could have been a member from 1908 and as long as he could travel to attend regularly at his drill hall he could have seen out his 4 years even after moving to Diss. As long as he then didn't sign up for another four years he would have had no legal obligation to serve, but of course could volunteer. But if he didn't join until he moved to Diss then touch and go as to whether he would have been still within his 4 years andtherefore liable to mobilisation of the 5th August 1914 - so intrigued how definate that 5th September 1914 date is.

 

Other scenarios could have course apply. Territorial Force infantrymen and artillerymen moving elsewhere in the country seems to have resigned, citing that as a reason, and then started a new four year term in the new location. But not sure what the situation was with more the specialised arms like the Medical Corps and the Engineers.

 

Cheers,

Peter

[armypal]

Hi Peter

Thanks  for your reply. 

I'll have to check his Army Paybook again for the dates, as you say if he'd been in the Volunteers , he would have mobilised with the others in August  1914.

 

I found that date odd as well.I just wish I had more information about him.

There is no immediate family left and the photos apparently came onto the open market when his niece died some years ago.

 

Maybe he volunteered after moving to Diss. The 'rush to the colours' was a bit slow in the town, but I do have a list of those serving that was published on 28 September 1914, which I'll check too.

 

He  was definitely in the town in 1910.

What's the phrase in research and writing up what you've found 'assume nothing and check, check your facts'

That will be my mission today. 

Regards 

Armypal.

[TEW]

Allowing for such things as captioning photos incorrectly or muddling the captions up. There has to be something else going on.

 

Photo #1 seated & pipe smoking.

He is sat with an RE man, otherwise May has little to help us. He has no wound stripe (photo#4). He looks older than in #4 which shows RAMC which should be earlier than May's RE service.

 

The pipe smoking man with no headwear #1 and the wound stripe man #4 are not looking like the same man to me. Even when disregarding #1 should be the later photo and his wound stripe is missing.

TEW

[Pat Atkins]

17 hours ago, TEW said:

What are the anomalous annotations  on the MIC? Looks normal to me, on RE rolls for star & pair as that was his last unit.

TEW

Sorry, just poor phrasing (was thinking aloud, really, about RE rolls not RAMC).

 

Pat

[armypal]

14 hours ago, PRC said:

 

Isn't that an Imperial Service badge over his right breast?

 

General consenus seems to be those weren't worn after going overseas, so possibly pre-war or early months of the war. If they are all the same man, and I'm not sure, that also appears to be the youngest version of him.

 

 

Some of the maths doesn't quite join up, probably because of something I'm not aware of. The Territorial Force came into being on the 1st April 1908 and required a four year commitment. Recruits were taken from 17 and a half. So George could have been a member from 1908 and as long as he could travel to attend regularly at his drill hall he could have seen out his 4 years even after moving to Diss. As long as he then didn't sign up for another four years he would have had no legal obligation to serve, but of course could volunteer. But if he didn't join until he moved to Diss then touch and go as to whether he would have been still within his 4 years andtherefore liable to mobilisation of the 5th August 1914 - so intrigued how definate that 5th September 1914 date is.

 

Other scenarios could have course apply. Territorial Force infantrymen and artillerymen moving elsewhere in the country seems to have resigned, citing that as a reason, and then started a new four year term in the new location. But not sure what the situation was with more the specialised arms like the Medical Corps and the Engineers.

 

Cheers,

Peter

Hi Peter 

I looked up my list of Diss men who were serving, per published list, 28 September 1914 in the 'Diss Express'. Leslie, George Leslie May, is on it as the only man serving in the R.A.M.C from the town at that date. I've attached  part of the published list which I re published in 1996. I also checked the Army Paybook and the date is  as I quoted.  I have no Paybook for the time before he was in Alexandria, presumably he was in training somewhere. So it's a mystery.

I looked through my photo's again and found another which is definitely of Leslie, in 'civvies' which was taken in Suez in 1916. I think that there are two groups of photos of two different men in all likelihood. 1 group, possibly the chap sitting next to the pipe smoking R.E. man and the soldier in his tin hat with knapsack and the 2nd Leslie in Suez in 'civvies' and the man with the walking cane wearing the volunteer badge. They definitely look older  than the young chap in the 1st Group.

Regards

armypal

 

[armypal]

Oops here's the list

[PRC]

Hi,

 

I believe this was part of a list put up in a parish church at the time and even then was not believed to be definative.

 

The problem with these lists generally are that they don't ever explain what period they refer to and what they represent. Thus the NCO's with the 4th Battalion - were they new joiners or men who had opted for overseas service.

 

Amongst those with the Reserve Battalion, W.J. Pennell is almost certainly 2990 (later 200542) William Jesse Pennell. No surviving service records but I have 2974 as joining the 4th Battalion on the 21st September 1914 and 3167 on the 10th October 1914. W. Boyce is almostly certainly 2869 William, 4th Reserve Battalion, who was subsequently compulsorary transferred to the 1/5th Northumberland Fusiliers. No likely match I could readily find for A Heywood. I suspect he is the man on the list for Diss and District which appeared in the edition of the Norwich Mercury dated Saturday September 19, 1914 as Arthur Heywood. The same list has a William Boyce and a Willam “Pessie” Pennell. All three joined the “4th Battalion, Norfolk Reserve”.

 

Of those with the Yeomany, C.G. Honeywell is likely to be Claude Honeywell, 1/1st Norfolk Yeomanry / 320124 12th Bn Norfolk Regiment, who seems to have survived the war. No surviving service records. C. Dendy - may be a co-incidence but there is a Park Dendy, a 19 year old bank clerk, born Cranworth, Norfolk, who was recorded on the 1911 Census of England & Wales living with his maiden aunt at Victoria Road, Diss. There are then officer RAF service records for a Park Dendy, born 20th December 1891, who gave his home address as Fersfield Hall, Diss. He was a 2nd Lieutenant in the 4th Reserve Battalion, Norfolk Regiment prior to joining the RAF. The London Gazette Supplement dated 18th April 1917 shows him being appointed Second Lieutenant in the Norfolk Regiment from an Officer Cadet unit, effective 28th March 1917.

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30024/supplement/3711/data.pdf

 

Of the Navy men

 

I couldn’t find a G. Heywood, but there is a George Hayward on the 1911 Census of England & Wales, then aged 17 and born Diss. There is also a Royal Navy Rating George Hayward, born Diss 28th January 1894. Official number J10423, he was already serving at the outbreak of war.

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D6862617

 

Jolly, Leeks – several potential matches on the 1911 Census, but no obvious Naval Rating records.

 

H. Plume. 1911 Census of England & Wales has two Herbert Lionel Plume’s, both born Great Welnetham, Suffolk. Father and son, they were aged 37 and 13 respectively. There are two sets of papers held at the National Archive for a Herbert Lionel Plume, born “Bury St Edmunds”, 10th October 1897. Official number was J23440. The set relating to the Great war period, (he reenlisted in the twenties anf thirties), are here:

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D6875498

He too enlisted pre-war.

 

The 1911 Census of England & Wales has a 22 year old Charles Edward Saunders, born Diss, Norfolk, a Royal Navy Sailor who was recorded as a visitor at 62 Unicorn Place, East Stonehouse, Devon, on the night of the census.

Charles Edward Saunders, official number K6651 also has two sets of papers at the National Archive. He was born Diss, Norfolk on the 1st October 1888.

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D6916650

 

G. Wilson is probably the same individual as the Stoker P.O. G..J.O. Wilson listed on the War Memorial at St Nicholas Church, and which the Roll of Honour site believes to be the George James Orsan Wilson who is buried in Norwich Cemetery.

 

Official number K10090, born Norwich 27th March 1892, the Royal Navy records him as Charles George James Oscar Wilson.

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D6920085

 

PS – The Diss Express (and Norfolk and Suffolk Journal), was a weekly, published on a Friday. Date should be September 25th, not 28th.

 

Apologies if none of that is new to you.

 

Cheers,

Peter

Edited 6 February , 2021 by PRC
Corrections and Typo's

[armypal]

Hello Peter

Thankyou so much for your very kind reply and it was so kind of you to take the trouble to look up more about them It was fascinating to read more about  the men on the Church list and as you say it certainly wasn't definitive, as I know of some missing names. I will follow the links you've given me as I would like to know more! 

I hadn't seen the list in the Norwich Mercury and working out where and when they joined the services is difficult. 

It's certainly given me food for thought and I think I'm going to do some more work on names on the list!

Thanks again 

Armypal.

 

[PRC]

On 02/02/2021 at 14:33, armypal said:

The Paybook opens with an entry for April 4 1915 in Alexandria.

Cogs whirr very slowly but get there eventually. He lands in France 31st March 1915, (MiC & Medal Roll), but is in Alexandria 4 days later.

 

If the 1915 Alexandria date is correct and he landed at a port on the North Sea Coast of France and trained down to the heel of Italy that would still be pretty demanding timescale. A ship docking at Marseilles before going on to Alexandria, (and a record clerk subsequently recording that as meaning that he entered a Theatre of War), would seem a more likely explanation.

 

Cheers,

Peter

[TEW]

I still think there are dates of entry for 15 Star into Egypt with RAMC that are (politely speaking) fabricated.

TEW

[armypal]

Hi Peter and TEW

Many thanks for your replies.

Yes I agree that it is a puzzle about the statement of his date of arrival in France snd date if arrival at Alexandria. Marseilles would be possible. What would be good to know is which Troopship he and the the 88th Field Ambulance sailed on.

 

I know the Norfolk Regiment, 4th and 5th,  sailed on the 'Aquitania ' and that members of the Field Ambulance were lost in the sinking of the 'Royal Edward' which carried the Essex Regiment. 

 

By the way Peter,  thanks to your reply about the men on the Church list I've made some interesting discoveries about  the service careers of more Diss men. Thankyou so much . I found a Concientious Objector,  linked up the owner of an ebay find and found more Aircrew amongst them and learned to use ' Fold 3' on Ancestry.co.uk! 

 

Many thanks to you both for all your help with George  May.

 

[PRC]

1 hour ago, armypal said:

I know the Norfolk Regiment, 4th and 5th,  sailed on the 'Aquitania ' and that members of the Field Ambulance were lost in the sinking of the 'Royal Edward' which carried the Essex Regiment. 

 

Although those deployments happened later in the year it does reflect a tendency for the bulk of the men of the support units to travel out subsequently, rather than alongside the infantry. With Gallipoli this sometimes seemed to even extend to the artillery. Also the ships seem to be travelling singly rather than in convoy.

 

The brief history of the Division records on page 11 that it sailed from Avonmouth between the 15th and 19th March 1915, with the Divisional Commander sailing on the evening of the 17th aboard the Andania. On page 6 it mentions that the 460th Howitzer Brigade on attachment to the Division moved directly to Avonmouth and boarded the Campanello, it's officer commanding sailing on the Arcadia. It's not at all clear whether the field ambulances were with them or went out later - according to the books' index there is not one reference to Field Ambulances although as it turns out that was not true. There is no arrival date at Alexandria, only a re-embarkation date of the 28th March. As to the route taken on the way out, the only mention that is made is of a regret they could not have gone to Malta instead, but that it lacked sufficient anchorage for the force that would land at Gallipoli.

 

A further check of the index provides a couple of references to to the Royal Army Medical Corps, the most helpful being on page 41, which notes that one of the Field Ambulances came from Ipswich, and that all three landed at Gallipoli on the 26th April. (NB-nearly a month after the Division embarked at Alexandria for Gallipoli according to page 11, but on page 12 its the 7th April. Perhaps the earlier date should have stated the original disembarkation. The units involved arrived at Mudros on the 8th. In the breakdown of which units were on which ships for the first landing on the 25th, no mention is made of the RAMC units.)

(Image courtesy https://collections.mun.ca/digital/collection/cns/id/84016

and from "The story of the 29th Division : a record of gallant deeds" by Stair A. Gillon)

 

Cheers,

Peter

[armypal]

Hi Peter 

Thanks so much for this and especially  for  including the piece from  the 'The Story of the 29th Division'

regards

Armypal

[Fi Shepherd]

Hi all, I've read this thread with great interest, as I'm currently researching Sgt Henry William Blackwell (482) of the 1st East Anglian Field Ambulance (which became the 88th FA within 29th Div) who served in Gallipoli until falling off a cliff at Gully Ravine when his mount was shunted out of the way by a passing stores wagon.  Remarkably both horse and rider survived, but Blackwell was evacuated to the UK.  

I'm trying to find the 88th's war diary for Gallipoli, without success (I've found the one covering their time in France & Belgium, and also the Gallipoli diaries for the 87th and 89th FAs).  Can anyone help please?