A Stretcher Bearer’s Diary. Three years in France with the 21st Divisi

[armourersergeant]

A Stretcher Bearer’s Diary. Three years in France with the 21st Division. by J H Newton RAMC

I was alerted to this book by Kate Wills, who saw one recently at the British Library. I was wondering if anyone has read this, or got a copy. I have tried to search on Abebooks etc and it does not show up.

Any comments welcome.

regards

Arm

[barkalotloudly]

yes i had a copy several years ago, i believe tim harper had a copy for sale some months ago

regards john

[armourersergeant]

tim harper

Thanks for the reply.

What format was the book, narrative or diary content. Was it any good?

Secondly Tim Harper?

regards

Arm

[armourersergeant]

Found Tim Harper, thanks to a PM.

regards

Arm

[Guest peter webster]

My grandfather, John Henry Newton, wrote this book. I have been trying to obtain a copy, or at least a transcript but without success so far. The British Library has a copy but cannot let me have a complete transcript because it is still uder copyright. I would be very grateful if anyone can help me get hold of a copy.

[armourersergeant]

Peter,

Welcome aboard the froum. It is great to see a relative of a 21st division man on here. Do you have much about his service record etc?

I am afraid I am still looking myself for a copy!

Regards

Arm

[Kate Wills]

I have been trying to obtain a copy, or at least a transcript but without success so far. The British Library has a copy but cannot let me have a complete transcript because it is still uder copyright.

I don't know who told you this Peter, but most modern items are instantly photocopyable at the BL, once you have cleared it for inspection by the counter staff.

I don't know when I'll next be visiting the BL, but if you and Arm have not got copies by then, I'll copy it for you. It is not a vast tome, but it is a useful, immediate account.

[armourersergeant]

I'll take you up on that as I suspect you would know anyway!

regards

Arm

[Simon_Fielding]

Did you ever find a copy of this book? I'm looking at a local soldier who served with the ASC attached to the 65th FA:

WISEMAN, W Rank: Corporal Service No: M2/079086 Date of Death: 08/11/1917 Age: 36 Regiment/Service: Army Service Corps Mechanical Transport attd. 65th Field Amb. Royal Army Medical Corps Awards: Mentioned in Despatches Grave Reference III. G. 14. Cemetery MENIN ROAD SOUTH MILITARY CEMETERY Additional Information: Son of Alfred and Mary Wiseman, of Gosfield, Essex; husband of Esther Wiseman, of Horsehill Farm, Bewdley, Worcs.

[Dust Jacket Collector]

A Stretcher Bearer’s Diary. Three years in France with the 21st Division. by J H Newton RAMCI was alerted to this book by Kate Wills, who saw one recently at the British Library. I was wondering if anyone has read this, or got a copy. I have tried to search on Abebooks etc and it does not show up.Any comments welcome.regardsArm

Amazon sell a Kindle edition of this book for 77p.

[Kate Wills]

I think I'm about to spend my pocket money. Thanks for that DJC.

[Muerrisch]

Puzzled!

How comes an RAMC man is a stretcher-bearer?

"SBs" were unit level, and [at least initially] were unit bandsmen, although this changed quickly, especially as combat conditions often meant 4 men were needed for one stretcher case.

Surely RAMC were more highly trained, working with the RMO and at Fd Amb and CCS.

[Dust Jacket Collector]

Hi Kate,

Here's a picture of the original to stick on your Kindle while you read the book. It was published by Stockwell in 1931, which might account for its rarity, Stockwell being essentially a vanity publisher.

[armourersergeant]

Excellent, thanks for the heads up. Just downloaded it.

Rgds

[Peter Woodger]

Grumpy

The SBs you talk of at unit level brought the wounded to the Regimental Aid Post (RAP). Each Field Ambulance had a total of 3 x 36 RAMC SBs who inter alia were responsible for getting the wounded from the RAP to the Advanced Dressing Station

Peter