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Home » War and Rebellion » First World War (1914-18) » Medical care

Displaying results 1 to 6 out of 6

Page 1

Soldiers and staff at Plas Trescawen, Anglesey, during the First World War
  • This photograph shows the scene inside one of the wards at Rhyl Hospital, c. 1917. Several soldiers who had been injured during the First World War were treated at the hospital. As the decorations in the room clearly show, this photograph was taken at Christmas time.
Patients and staff at Rhyl Hospital, Christmas c. 1917
  • David Williams, son of John and Elinor Williams of Royal Oak, Llanrhystyd, Cardiganshire, enlisted at Newport into the South Wales Borderers just before the outbreak of the First World War in July 1914 at the age of 26. Being older than his comrades, he was not sent to the Western Front until 1916. This letter was written in November 1917 whilst Lance Corporal Williams was recovering from his wounds at No. 5 Convalescents Depot, somewhere in France. It is rare for a letter in Welsh to survive - Welsh soldiers were encouraged to write home in English, so that the Army censors could read the contents. Sadly, David Williams died of his wounds on 19th April 1918 and is buried in Pernes British Cemetery in France. Translation: '27/11/17 Dear Mum and Dad I have the privilege of sending this letter to you Hoping you are all well, My health is improving greatly. I have moved from the Hospital to the Convalescent Camp, I sent you a letter about two days after leaving the Hospital I hope that you will have received it safely, by the time you get this note. And if you have sent a letter to the Hospital You need not worry They are sure to send it on to me, I am expecting a letter back with some news about the fairs, I will send you a word back as soon as I receive your letter It is pretty comfortable here. I do not know how long I will be here, one stays until the wounds have healed. I will let you know as soon as I leave here. I might be here for a week or two I cannot say, It is a healthy place. I have not met any boys from Llanrhystyd in france yet. But I have met some from Cardiganshire, I have no more news this time and hope that the war will be over soon, I send you these few words and warm wishes to you all, from you dearest son David, He will look after us all This is the address 12021 L Cpl D Williams A Comp 1st S.W.B. S Company: No 4 Camp No 5 Convalescent & Depot S23 A.P.O. France'
A letter sent by David Williams, from a convalescent depot somewhere in France, to his parents in Llanrhystud, November 1917, page 1 of 2
  • During the First World War, the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) was the unit providing the non-combatants who staffed the various stages of the chain that handled the evacuation and treatment of a casualty. They were supplemented by many volunteers of the Red Cross, St John's Ambulance, Voluntary Aid Detachments, and other groups. Source: http://www.1914-1918.net/ramc.htm
RAMC Cardiff detatchment leaving for camp on a Sunday morning, 1914-18
  • The ambulance provided by the Cardiff Lodge of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB), photographed in St. Mary Street, Cardiff.
Ambulance provided by the Cardiff Lodge of the RAOB, 1914-18
  • Selected pages from the diary of Rev. R. Peris Williams who served as an army chaplain in Britain and France during the First World War, 1914-16.
Diary of Rev. R. Peris Williams, army chaplain, 1914-16