| Description | This volume, marked "Log V", describes Cruickshank's experiences as officer in charge of Temporary Ambulance Train 118. He leaves Ambulance Train 8 on 7 April 17 to go on 7 days leave, but this is cancelled and he is recalled to take charge of Temporary Ambulance Train 118 from Abbeville. This prompts some reflections on the way regular soldiers treat temporary officers.
Pages 10 - 12 have beenused for organisational notes relating to T.A.T. 118:
Details of postings to A.T.s.; lists of 'stores & equipment', 'Mess comforts'. 'medical & surgical', and list of the 21 coaches plus kitchen coach, with orderlies and load (i.e. casualties carried). Total load is 1160. Notes on routine actions to be taken during and after trip. Details of trip on 9 - 10 April from Abbeville to the CCS at Frevent and back to the hospitals St Pol and Camiers (Battle of Arras) on p. 15 f.
There are also notes of train trips in late April and early May 1917, mainly between Etaples and St Pol. The last entries are about half-way through thediary (p. 43)The final page of the diary (p. 82) lists official letters sent by Cruickshank in April and May 1917, mainly to the Assistant Director Medical Services.
On pages 19 - 24, Cruickshank gives a long description of the destruction he finds in Arras when he visits it on 22 April 1917: "From 12 noon to 2 p.m. I walked through a city in ruins, the like of which can scarcely be surpassed even by the famous Ypres…" He describes how "a daring German aviator" attacks an observation balloon: , forcing the balloon's crew to bale out; "The two occupants of the cage had climbed out and were descendingin their parachutes, while our anti aircraft guns were speaking volumes. It was a sight worth seeing". (p. 24) The crewmen got down safely.
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Enclosures in this volume:
(Mostly pasted in; loose enclosures marked *)
Instruction slip from a German field dressing (tipped in, inside front cover)
* Small newspaper cutting: commendation of Captain Stanley James Linzell M.B. R.A.M.C. for courage in evacuating casualties under very heavy fire (inserted between pages 18 and 19)
Photograph with title: 'Large sailing ship passing Culebra Cut, Panama Canal' (p. 45)
* Newspaper cutting 'mobilisation of the medical profession' (inserted between pages 44and 45)
* Page from The Sphere October 7 1916 with drawing 'Arras Town Hall after bombardment'(inserted at end, p. 82). |